A former Chatelech Secondary School grad may become the next Miss Teen Canada, but not without a little help from her home community.
Sechelt's Sian Slingerland moved to Edmonton after graduation to find work, and just last month she entered the Miss Teen Canada qualifiers. She won and was crowned Miss Teen Central Alberta, destined for the nationals in Toronto this summer.
There she will model a bathing suit and evening gown for points and undergo an interview with the judges. A big part of her final mark, however, will come from the public through likes of her Facebook page or follows on her Twitter account.
"Community and media attention really count at the national level," Slingerland noted.
All Miss Teen Canada hopefuls will also have to raise money for Free the Children, an international charity and educational partner that engages, educates and empowers youth around the world.
"It's really great to be working with Free the Children," Slingerland said, adding she was exposed to the organization while at Chat. "It's a great opportunity to get the name out there so more people know about it."
Slingerland has always wanted to enter a pageant, but didn't have the opportunity to do so until last month. She hopes her win in Alberta will just be the start of many crowns to come.
"I really love doing the pageants, so even if I don't win, I'll probably still stick to pageants," she said. "The girls that I've met there were really nice. It was nothing like Toddlers and Tiaras or anything like that. Everyone was really nice and welcoming."
If you would like to up Slingerland's chances of winning Miss Teen Canada, you can like her Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter or donate money to Free the Children in her name.
Her parents, Rain and Blair Slingerland, will collect local donations to be forwarded to their daughter to hand in to Free the Children.
Donations can be mailed to 6265 Jasper Rd., Sechelt, B.C. V0N 3A7.
