Jensen White of Vawn, who attends H. Hardcastle School in Edam, will be flying to Toronto Saturday to take part in the Miss Teenage Canada pageant.
The 16-year-old athletic student will be wearing her Miss Teen West Central Saskatchewan crown and sash at a number of public appearances during the week leading up to the final competition day, July 26.
She is looking forward to the experience on a national level, saying the process so far, since first applying in April 16, has been a positive one.
"It's been the biggest confidence booster."
The youngest of Rod and Lisa White's three daughters says she has usually been shy when it comes to expressing herself, but now she is more comfortable talking with people and speaking in public. She has also noticed an improvement in her posture and feels she's learning how to conduct herself with "etiquette."
At the national level, 60 contestants will be scored on a number of scales. During the week there will be an interview and a photo shoot. There will be the usual evening gown and swimsuit competitions to judge posture, fitness and presentation, and they will also be scored on their overall behaviour throughout the week, says White.
Fundraising is also part of the scoring process. Twenty per cent of the overall mark is earned by raising at least $400 for the charity Free the Children, says White. With the help of a supportive mother, she organized and held a dance and a princess tea and has an ongoing bottle drive. She is over the $400 mark by at least $50, and more bottle drive money is still coming in.
There is also a talent portion, although it is not mandatory, says White. She has decided not to participate in that aspect.
Everything culminates July 26 for the final competition day, and White says there will be rehearsals during the week for the stage presentations. Her parents will be flying there for the finale.
White is one of seven Saskatchewan entrants in the national pageant. While she enjoys playing piano and guitar, she is also athletic, participating in such activities as gymnastics, snowboarding and volleyball.
She also works part-time at the Vawn Hotel and also for Sever's Oilfield Services.
When she graduates, she plans to pursue a post-secondary education studying photography, or a career in the medical field.
She encourages all young women to consider entering the Miss Teen pageant for the experience.
Just because you're from a small town doesn't mean you can't succeed, she says.
Now in its fifth year, Miss Teenage Canada is an official preliminary to theeight different internationalpageants, Miss Teen Universe, Miss Teenager, Miss Supranationaland more.
Contestants applying for the Miss Teenage Canada contest must be between 13 and19 years of age, be enrolled in or a graduate of post-secondary, high school or elementary school and be a Canadian citizen by birth or naturalization, a landed or permanent resident or becoming one.
Regional competitions are held in each province to select the national delegates who compete for the title of Miss Teenage Canada.
