108 Mile Ranch resident Katelynn Dowe won the right to enter the Miss Canada Globe Pageant and finished 10th out of 18 contestants last month.
She arrived in Toronto on Aug. 15 and started training the next day. Katelynn says expectations were high and it was demanding but also exciting because she learned about presenting herself, and gained extra confidence.
On Aug. 18, there was a training session, and contestants gave their regional presentations. Katelynn was awarded second place for her presentation.
Aug. 19 saw them go through more training, interviews and a photo session.
On Aug. 20, they trained all day, and that evening, they went for dinner at a Salsa restaurant. Katelynn won the prestigious Disco Queen award and says she is very proud of that accomplishment.
On Aug. 21, the girls went to Canada’s Wonderland, a 330-acre theme park in Vaughan, Ont., and then it was off to a karaoke night.
On Aug. 22, there was a runway competition at the side of a swimming pool.
Aug. 23 was another full day of training.
Aug. 24 was a long day starting at 9 a.m. and going on until 5:30 a.m. the next day. It started with training in dancing and presentation. There was Talent Night that evening, during which Katelynn presented her belly-dancing performance.
On Aug. 25, the big day started with more training, hair and makeup, a dress rehearsal and getting ready for the Miss Canada Globe Pageant. The pageant started at 7:30 p.m. and went to midnight.
When it was done, Katelynn was awarded 10th place out of 18 girls who competed.
The winner of the Miss Canada Globe Pageant was 26-year-old Vancouver resident Casar Jacobson.
Katelynn highly recommends other girls participate in events like the Miss Canada Globe Pageant because they will receive experiences of a lifetime.
“Some of the great experiences are making new friendships across Canada, as well as building confidence and the ability to mix with other people. Imagine being in a hotel with all the other contestants and everyone being kept busy and working together.”
Each participant came home with a crown and a sash. The parents, mainly moms who travelled with the girls, were also kept busy, as they continually helped the participants achieve their goals.
Katelynn says the cost to attend the Miss Canada Globe Pageant was $5,000.
She did a lot fundraising, including holding a bake sale, doing haircuts for both men and women, and held a dinner, with silent and pie auctions. She also went door-to-door and approached local businesses, asking for donations.
Katelynn says she wants to pay down her student loan, do charity work, continue to work at New Attitude in 100 Mile House, and would like to get involved in doing a mission trip to an under-developed country.
She thanks everyone who helped her get to the Miss Canada Globe Pageant.
“A special thank-you goes to my parents, family and friends for their love and support for giving me an experience of a lifetime.”