Heather Latter
Although she didn’t win the title of Miss North Ontario, Emily Hyatt, who recently represented Rainy River District at the pageant in Sudbury, called the experience a “worthwhile” one.
“I wasn’t there to win but to have fun, make some new friends, and learn something about myself,” noted the 18-year-old Fort Frances resident, adding that’s exactly what happened.
“I know I made some long-lasting friendships,” Hyatt stressed. “I felt as if I’d known some of them forever.
“We all got along really well.”
And Hyatt added she learned a lot.
“I certainly learned about time management,” she remarked. “With rehearsals, interviews, hair, make up—it was go, go, go.
“We were running all the time, with little time to eat or sleep.
“And then during the pageant, we had to be ready to go on stage with just minutes to change into our next outfit,” she recalled.
“It really made me more time conscience.”
Hyatt said the pageant also taught her about confidence.
“We took part in workshops that we really inspirational,” she noted.
“We learned about inner beauty and I also learned about self-awareness, like how to present myself in a way that is elegant.”
And though she didn’t capture one of coveted crowns, Hyatt wasn’t disappointed.
“Some girls were upset but it didn’t devastate me,” she admitted. “It was so exciting watching the others get crowned.
“Everyone was so talented and the girl who won really deserved it.”
But Hyatt didn’t come home empty-handed. In one of the preliminary events, she captured the title of “Most Beautiful” due to her natural beauty.
“I was shocked,” she confessed. “I wasn’t expecting it. There were so many pretty girls—some who have been models.
“But it made me feel really good.”
Hyatt received a crown—though not as big as the title winner’s—which she was presented with prior to the staged event.
“I was just so excited that I got one,” she enthused, although stressing the pageant is not a beauty pageant.
“It’s all about personality and inner beauty,” she explained, noting they were judged on public speaking, scholastic testing, and volunteer, community, and/or school involvement, in addition to fashion modelling.
And despite being recognized for her beauty, Hyatt claims she is not a beauty queen.
“I just like the idea of representing the community and being a role model, rather than being a beauty queen,” she remarked.
“I really enjoyed being able to promote the district, especially since most people have never heard of it before.
“I’m proud of where I’m from and people got to know about the district, which is awesome,” she stressed.
In addition, Hyatt enjoyed raising money for a wonderful charity, saying pageant contestants were able garner $46,000 for Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer.
“It was so awesome,” she enthused. “They said we raised $10,000 more than last year.
“It’s such a great feeling.
“And I received so much support from everyone on Facebook and from the community, which was really nice,” she added.
Hyatt said she intends to continue to represent the area as “Miss District of Rainy River” until someone replaces her.
She plans to attend as many local events as possible this summer, such as the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship in July and the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society’s fall fair in Emo in August.
Meanwhile, Hyatt hopes someone continues in her steps and represents the district in the Miss North Ontario competition next year.
“If they have the time and dedication, I’d say do it,” she urged. “It’s a lot of fun and you learn a lot about yourself.”
She noted it’s easy to get involved.
“Those interested can simply go online and apply. It’s just like applying for a job,” she explained, adding the pageant soon will begin accepting applications for the 2014 competition.
“I’d be willing to help out anyone who wants to do it,” Hyatt said, noting she didn’t have anyone to go to for advice.
“I’m not an expert but I did have to go through a boot camp,” she reasoned. “I can certainly offer them some tips.”
Hyatt admitted she was not a likely candidate for the competition, having never worn heels before and not owning any dresses.
She’s a girl whose passion is hunting and fishing. But she showed that she could get up on the stage and compete with the rest of the girls.
“There was a lot of girliness,” she admitted, mentioning the fake nails, eyelashes, hair extensions, make-up, and sparkling dresses.
“But I liked to be pampered, so it was fun.
“And it made me feel so elegant, wearing my formal gown, the only person on the stage with all eyes on me,” she added.
“I’m really glad I made the decision to do it.”
Hyatt will be working in Thunder Bay for most of the summer as a leader for children with special needs. And she will study psychology there this fall with the intention of becoming a police officer.
More information about the pageant can be found at www.missnorthontario.com
You also can visit Hyatt’s Facebook page: Emily Hyatt for Miss North Ontario 2013.
