Hometown girl off to Miss Teen Canada World

Nichelle Thomson was teaching Zumba classes when she was approached to enter the Miss North Ontario Regional Canada pageant.

Ironically, she had just seen an ad for Miss Teen World Canada days before, and was intrigued by the opportunity.

At the regional pageant held this past May, the Nickel Centre rep earned the opportunity to compete at the next level. The 17-year-old student was one of eight girls selected to represent the region at the MTWC event being held in Toronto July 14 to 21.

“I'm very excited,” Thomson said. “It's something new, right. I've never done pageants before.”

Thomson is quite comfortable being in the spotlight, though — the Confederation Secondary School student said she's done quite a bit of competitive dancing, and enjoys the social aspects of the pageant experience.

Several of the “assignments” she has been tasked with for the MTWC pageant involve networking, meeting new people and letting her social skills shine for the sake of drawing awareness to the organization's charities of choice.

Last year, delegates in the pageant raised more than $70,000 for Free the Children — a cause for which they will be fundraising again this year.

Community work is part of what the contestants will do throughout the contest — other elements include makeup sessions, photo shoots, media events, choreographing stage shows and getting to know each other.

At the end of the week, one girl will inherit the crown from the 2011 winner, Lauren Howe of Toronto, and walk away with more than $30,000 in cash and prizes and have the opportunity to represent the nation at the global level.

“Of course, everyone wants to win,” Thomson said. “Realistically, only one girl can.”

As far as Thomson is concerned, the opportunity itself is worth it.

“Any experience offered to you; take it,” she said.

Already, she's learned a lot.

“When I inform people that pageants are not just about 'beauty,' they are very surprised to hear of the huge commitment pageants actually are,” she said.

“I'm not going to lie — I was guilty as well for perceiving pageants to be only what is shown on TV - all about beauty. In fact, pageants are more than looking good in a swimsuit or evening gown. To only name a few, it's about self-confidence, inner beauty and above all, your involvement in the community and abroad.”

To make the MTWC pageant a reality, Thomson said she appreciates everything her sponsors have done; Wal-Mart Superstore, Neil’s Independent Grocers, Lasalle Beauty Supply Outlet, Dr. Misha Lazarchuk, Dr. Nelson and CIBC Wood Gundy – Frank Natale.

For more information about her pageant experiences, follow Thomson's blog at missteennorthontario.com and “like” her on Facebook at facebook.com/missteennorthontario2012.

Posted by Arron Pickard