Shayna Waite of Preeceville set off on an adventure of a lifetime with very positive end results. Her adventure started when she was crowned Miss Teen Eastern Saskatchewan in June and continued as she ran for Miss Teen Canada in Toronto on August 3 to 9. “Pageant week started off quickly as my flight was early and I landed in Toronto at 10 a.m.,” said Waite.
“I got picked up at the airport while wearing my sash and crown and was taken to the nearby hotel. When we arrived at the hotel, we took all of our stuff up to the top floor into a big room where all the other girls were. At this early time in the morning, there were only about 15 girls in the room and it seemed like so many until the room filled up more and more with each hour, until there were 82 girls in the room.
We then got to meet our roommates and were taken to our rooms. My roommate became my best friend and we got along so well. We dressed up and had our welcome party that night. Monday was full of interviews, photo shoots and video shoots.
All of the girls got hair and makeup done then went on to our photo shoot, an interview and then the video shoot. It was a packed day but it was super nice to do all of those things at once and then have more time to do other things.
“Tuesday started off with an amazing breakfast in downtown Toronto. We then got to tour by the marina in Mississauga and then went to the Canoe Club where we rode dragon boats.
It was a really nice day and it was so much fun. Our next surprise was in Niagara Falls as we went to the Greg Frewin magic show which was amazing and then we were able to tour around the beautiful falls. Wednesday was another day out and it started off with going to the zoo where we got to meet a baby lion and a baby tiger. We went to the mall and then ended the day off with a medieval times show which was really cool,” she said.
The next couple days consisted of training and practising for the big show on Sunday. “On Friday night we had the preliminary night where we wore our swimsuit and evening gown,” said Waite. “We were judged that night and the scores went to the final night to determine the top 20 which also took into consideration the interview and overall behaviour.
On Saturday night we had the talent gala night which was so much fun. There were lots of different talents as well as platforms. I presented my platform on the Ronald McDonald house. Early Sunday morning we headed out to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto where the final show took place. We started the day with hair and makeup and then rehearsals until the show began.
The show started with the opening dance number and then the top 20 were announced. I could not believe it when I heard my name and I was overwhelmed with happiness. I made it to the top 20 out of 82 girls. I am very blessed. Everything I have been working so hard for has finally paid off. Unfortunately I did not make the top 10 but I was so happy with my top 20.
I met so many great people and I am very happy to call each and every one of the girls that I met that week my friend. I am happy to announce I was offered a modelling scholarship to Top Model Canada in Toronto next summer.
Overall, the experience was so amazing and I would definitely do it again even though it was hard work. I want to thank my amazing support group that came with me to Toronto as well as the ones at home supporting me.
Most importantly, I want to thank my mom because if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have made it this far and I couldn’t ask for a better role model – love you mom! Thank you for everything, and I am very happy to have my title of Miss Teen Eastern Saskatchewan 2015,” said Waite.
