WHITEWATER REGION (Beachbug) — A Whitewater Region teenager was crowned National Canadian Teen Ontario at the National Canadian Scholarship Pageant held in Mississauga over the weekend.
Aleisha Ciphery, 17 years old and the daughter of Amie and Phil Ciphery who reside on Beachburg Road near Beachburg, said she found the pageant online and decided to enter.
It’s for anyone aged 1 to 55, she said. This is the first time a provincial pageant was held, she said. Usually, there is just one pageant for any female in Canada. This year, it was decided to hold provincial/territorial events. For those who participated, they each received a title, sash and crown.
To participate, a registrant pays a fee and that’s it, Aleisha said. The competition involves an interview, introduction on stage, fun fashion, attitude/sportsmanship and evening wear.
The day before the competition, the teenaged and older participants, participate in a volunteer day, she said. The women spent the day packing Christmas Child Shoe Boxes, while the second day was for rehearsals, interviews and preparing for the evening.
At evening’s end, Aleisha received the title of National Canadian Teen Ontario. Kylie received the National Canadian Tiny Ontario; Jade won the National Canadian Miss Ontario; Alyssa won the National Canadian Ms. Southern Ontario and Crystal was crowned National Canadian Ms. Ontario.
This is Aleisha’s second pageant competition.
“I thought I’d be more nervous than I was,” she said. “It was fun.”
She noted this pageant focuses more on building self-confidence rather than the outside beauty of a person.
Along with building her self-confidence, Aleisha said she made some new friends.
She participated in her first pageant, Miss Teen Ontario East, last year after friends encouraged her to do so.
Aleisha will now travel to with her mom to Calgary, Alberta, in July to participate in the Canadian title.
Until then, the Fellowes High School student will promote the title and pageant at various events, as well as fundraise for the pageant’s charity, which she believes is for the Children’s Hospital of Alberta.
She will also fundraise to help pay for the trip to Calgary.
