Emma Wellington hadn't given much thought to the merits of the burqini versus the bikini, but when the judges of Miss Teen Australia put her on the spot, her views were thankfully diplomatic."I believe that we should respect everyone and it shouldn't matter if a woman wants to wear head-to-toe bathers for religious [reasons]," the Albion Park 16-year-old said."Australia is a multicultural country."Emma finished runner-up in the competition finals earlier this week after impressing in personal interviews, a stage presentation and parades of evening gowns and swimwear.The competition is intended as a springboard into international events including Miss Universe, however the 180cm-tall Year 10 St Joseph's Catholic High School student has her eyes on attaining an environmental engineering degree first."My goal is to really just get into the environment and maybe even to work [on] the Great Barrier Reef and [in] Queensland," she said."I believe the opportunity to participate in any of these [pageants] is a great honour."You get to meet many people and learn to be a stronger person."Pageant marketing director Grant Dwyer said the competition sought out "role models rather than a supermodel".Pageants have enjoyed a revival since Jennifer Hawkins went on to vast fame and fortune.Emma's success came despite limited forays into the pageant world. Her first was last years' inaugural Miss Country Girl Australia, where she was a national finalist.