GCC student has eyes on pageant crown

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This article was published 21/07/2015 (3930 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Miss Teenage Winnipeg is taking her crown to Toronto.  

Garden City Collegiate student Mikaela Hope Abraham-Mendez is a finalist for the Miss Teenage Canada beauty pageant, which takes place on Aug. 9 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto, Ont.

The 17-year-old Amber Trails resident was crowned Miss Teenage Winnipeg on April 19 as part of the nationwide search for Miss Teenage Canada. Abraham-Mendez said she’d never previously taken part in a pageant.

“My friend (Chrystalle Omaga) was crowned Miss Teenage Manitoba last year. I saw her pictures and videos and it caught my eye,” Abraham-Mendez said. “I wanted to try something different because I do dance, but that’s basically it, so I wanted some exposure, some new experiences and this has really opened a lot of doors for me.”

According to www.missteenagecanada.com, contestants are judged on “personal interview, evening gown, swimwear, charity contribution, public speaking, community engagement and photogenic appeal.”

There are also optional categories like a written essay and talent show, where Abraham-Mendez will be putting her dance skills to use. She has danced since age five, starting with ballet and then jazz, tap and lyrical. She now focuses on hip hop dance.

“I didn’t really want to do it because it’s so time consuming, putting a piece together and everything, but my mom said ‘Just do it,’ so I’m putting a little piece together to dance,” Abraham-Mendez said.

In addition to the actual pageant, Miss Teenage Canada contestants are required to blog leading up to the main event. Their blogs are graded and represent 10 per cent of their final score.

Abraham-Mendez said her experience as Miss Teenage Winnipeg also includes volunteering and appearing at local events. She said the experience, from the pageant to her duties while wearing the crown, has increased her confidence.

“When I first joined the provincial pageant, I always had my mom beside me guiding me,” Abraham-Mendez said. “If I had an appointment she’d always be the one to tell the front desk, but now it’s always me. It gave me more self-confidence and now I’m able to go out there and talk to others without having my mom beside me.”

Despite her newfound independence, Abraham-Mendez, who is the oldest of six siblings, said her family has been instrumental in her success. She said she’s proud to represent her family, as well as the Filipino community she’s a part of.

“They (her brothers and sisters) were my inspiration on why I joined this pageant,” Abraham-Mendez said. “I wanted to show them that if your heart is set on something and you really want to go for it you have no limits.”

To follow Abraham-Mendez’s journey, go to missteenwinnipeg.com