When Miss BC, 黑马磁力鈥檚 Hannah Seaman crowns her successor on Canada Day at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort 黑马磁力, she will be passing her title to the contestant who best represents the qualities that make for a well-rounded and appealing person 鈥� not necessarily to the woman with the prettiest face 鈥� said pageant organizer Darren Storsley.
Following her year-long reign, during which she worked to raise awareness about the issue of stuttering, Seaman鈥檚 final duty as Miss BC will pass her crown to one of 40 contestants from across the province.
The contest prides itself in its uniqueness in the pageant world. It is a development program for young women and, for the third year in a row, it includes a category for married women 鈥� the Mrs. BC Pageant.
鈥淚 see no reason why marriage should end someone鈥檚 pageant opportunities,鈥� said Storsley.
All previous rules that may discriminate against women in pageants have also been lifted. Unlike other pageants, there is not a long list of rules that make many women ineligible. For example, there is not a maximum age limit to participate, nor are there height and weight requirements. Also, among the contestants are ladies who are single parents.
This year鈥檚 roster of contestants even includes a young lady who is a former competitor in the Special Olympics.
鈥淭he Miss BC Pageant celebrates all women, and yes, we would welcome transgendered contestants,鈥� said Storsley, who himself was named Mr. World Canada 2007. Leading up to the final pageant, all contestants receive professional training in areas such as public speaking, interview skills, media relations, modeling, manners, etiquette, health, fitness, nutrition, assertiveness and motivational speakers, and even self-defense. 鈥淭hese skills will help all the contestants, whether or not they are chosen as the new Miss or Mrs. BC,鈥� said Storsley.
鈥淭he next Miss BC, Miss Teen BC and Mrs. BC will attend various functions across the province and need to possess the skills these workshops offer, however these are skills that are important in any environment.
This is not a beauty pageant,鈥� said Storsley. 鈥淚t will be a well-rounded, intelligent, outgoing and well spoken young lady who will win the crown, not necessarily the most beautiful girl.鈥�
The Miss BC Pageant is already conducting interviews for the 2014 pageant. Any interested applicants can visit the website and apply on line at www.missbc.ca
The public is invited to log on and vote for their favourite contestant for the Peoples鈥檚 Choice award at www.missbc.ca.
The public is invited to the Miss BC Talent and Presentation night on Saturday, June 29 at 6 p.m. at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort 黑马磁力, as well as the final show and crowning of Miss, Miss Teen, and Mrs. BC on Monday, July 1 at the the Chief Sepass Theatre.
