Deadline fast approaching for pageant competitions

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Aboriginal women and girls are encouraged to enter Canada Pageants Corporation competitions, including Miss Pre-Teen (age seven to 12), Miss Teen (age 13 to 19), Miss Canada (age 20 to 26), Ms. Canada (age 27 and up) and Mrs. Canada (age 21-56). Community service and hard work are the criteria for winning.

The competitions exist to provide personal and professional opportunities for women and to showcase their accomplishments.

"We are proud of the fact that contestants are giving great service in their respective communities," said Julie Young-Marcellin, who was Mrs. Canada 2002 and is now national director of Canada Pageants. "And they get a lot in return, through networking and exposure, and of course the good feelings that they gain about themselves through the work they are doing."

Career and education accomplishments are considered as part of the application process, as well as contestants' interests and plans for the future.

Girls and women from all walks of life and heritage backgrounds are encouraged to participate.

"Diversity is a part of life and we need representatives from all cultures to be role models in their communities and serve in volunteer or professional capacities to make those communities better places in which to live," said Young-Marcellin. "We haven't had anyone identify herself as an Aboriginal representative, and that's something we'd truly like to see. We'd like nothing more than to have contestants and possibly a winner who was of First Nations heritage."

Those interested in putting their name forward can call 1-519-858-5964 or go the Canada Pageants Web site (www.canadapageants.com.). Applications must be in by Jan. 30. Finalists in area competitions will travel to London, Ont. for the national event in March 2005.