Heather Latter
After having taken part in the Emo Fair Queen competition this summer, Alyssa Chiasson now has set her sights on participating in a larger pageant.
The 16-year-old from Fort Frances will be representing Rainy River District in the Miss North Ontario Regional Canada Pageant.
“I was just looking for another pageant, a bigger pageant I could participate in,” Chiasson explained.
“So I was just looking online at pageants in Ontario and that’s how I found this one.”
Chiasson said she likes pageants.
“I like getting all dressed up, showing my talent, and taking centre stage for a moment,” she enthused.
“It’s fun.
“I e-mailed them to ask them questions about it and then I decided to apply because I think it will be a worthwhile experience,” Chiasson added.
After a telephone interview with the pageant organizers, Chiasson was accepted.
She won’t be the first to represent the district at this pageant. Emily Hyatt competed for the title last year.
The pageant, which is set to take place at the Fraser Auditorium in Sudbury on May 1-2, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary.
“Ideas are flying to plan the best-ever Miss North Ontario as we celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2015,” pageant president Cheryl Kozera said on the event’s Facebook page.
The event is meant to showcase the importance of promoting tourism in North Ontario, as well as the discovery of the rewards of volunteer work for worthwhile charities.
“The most important focus is self-development of personal character, confidence, stage presence, and personal interaction with others,” the website notes.
“It is intended for all contestants and family to leave this experience a stronger and more educated individual.”
In preparation for the pageant, Chiasson will have to garner at least $600 in sponsorship—and she’s hoping multiple local businesses will provide their support.
She also will have to host a charity event for Northern Ontario Families of Children With Cancer, which is supported by the pageant.
Chiasson has to raise at least $100. And while she’s been brainstorming ideas for the charity event, she hasn’t decided yet on what she will do.
“There will be about 40-50 [contestants] and we will be there for three days,” Chiasson said about the pageant itself.
“We get to stay in a hotel together so I’ll be with three other girls, so that will be fun.”
She also is excited to participate in the many workshops that will be offered, such as yoga, self-defence, public speaking, and self-esteem.
On the second night in Sudbury, Chiasson will complete in the talent show, where she’ll take the stage with an upbeat jazz dance number.
“I hope I can really show my personality so that everyone in the crowd has fun watching it,” she remarked, adding the third night is the show.
“There is a fashion show, and then right off the bat everybody gets cut except for 15 girls,” Chiasson noted.
She indicated there is an interview and another cut, followed by another fashion show and interview before the
winners are announced.
The contestants are judged on Preliminary Night Formal Wear (15 percent), Personal Interview with Judges (40 percent), Beauty with a Purpose (20 percent), Scholastic Testing (20 percent), Final Night Opening Number (15 percent), Public Speaking (20 percent), Preliminary Night Formal Wear (15 percent), and Pre-Pageant Participation and Co-operation (10 percent).
“I think my experience in the Emo Fair pageant will help me because I have experience with the interview, fashion show, and talent,” Chiasson noted.
“With this one, it will be similar just with more competitors and more people watching,” she reasoned.
Chiasson has the chance to win more than $10,000 in prizes, including a $2,000 cash scholarship, 17 extra category awards, and more than $500 in prizes just for participating.
In addition to participating in motivational empowering workshops, Kozera said the pageant helps enhance interpersonal skills and allows the girls to become ambassadors for the north.
The pageant also is the official preliminary to Miss Teenage Canada, Miss Universe Canada, and Top Model Search CANADA.
“Contestants attending the [pageant] will also be considered as representatives for other national pageants, talent competitions, and or model searches/competitions as they become available,” Kozera noted.
“So even if I don’t win, I still have the opportunity for future pageants,” Chiasson said.
Chiasson’s family will be heading to Sudbury to cheer her on, and she hopes her older sisters are home from university to go with her.
“I hope that I will make new friends from across the region,” she said.
“I hope to gain more self-confidence and to be a role model for younger girls,” she added.
In particular, Chiasson is looking forward to participating in a professional photo shoot.
“I think it will be really fun to try out modeling and see if I like it,” she remarked, noting she’s been thinking about modeling in the future.
She also is excited to be part of the large choreographed opening number of the pageant.
As well, Chiasson is hoping to promote the district and to be more involved in the community.
Throughout the month of April, people will be able to vote at www.missnorthontario.com for their favourite contestant.
The winner of the “People’s Choice” automatically will be in the top 15.
For more information, visit www.missnorthontario.com
