Participating in an event that promotes positive growth, self acceptance and accentuates inner beauty is an opportunity of a lifetime that a young lady from Leask won't soon forget.
Taralyn Shae Donohue, Grade 12 student of Blaine Lake Composite School, has captured not one, but two, reigning titles through the Canadian Globe pageant. Taralyn travelled to Toronto Aug. 21 to Sept. 1 to participate in the pageant and after days of intense training sessions and events, Taralyn captured the Miss Teen Saskatchewan and the Miss Teen Canada First Princess titles.
"I went into the pageant striving for the goal to achieve the Miss Teen Saskatchewan title," commented Taralyn during an interview. It was clearly evident that this young lady had transformed from the shy youth at the time of our first interview into the blossoming, glowing young lady full of poise, confidence and knowledge.
The first week in Toronto prior to the pageant involved training where the contestants were taken through a series of sessions pertaining to public speaking, posture and presentation, public relations, addressing media and much more. Organizers claim the poise and confidence gained by each contestant throughout the process can be applied to the young woman's personal and professional lives providing an edge in a competitive society.
"Our training sessions included topics such as public speaking, media relations, confidence seminars, choreography, how to walk the catwalk and hair and makeup application," shared Taralyn indicating that the pageant is so much more than having a perfect body. "It's about building inner strength and releasing the inner beauty. It was surprising to hear of the many hardships and challenges that the other young ladies had overcome in their short lives such as physical abuse, bullying and eating disorders. We built friendships and encouraged each other along the way. We were all winners regardless of receiving titles."
Taralyn was one of six women from Saskatchewan at the pageant, of the six, three were in the teen category. The three Saskatchewan women were in an assembly of 20 from across Canada between the ages of 13 and 18 vying for the Miss Teen Saskatchewan pageant crown. Winning the title earned Taralyn a 100 per cent crystal crown and Miss Teen Saskatchewan sash, but also the opportunity to advance onto the national level. Earning the title of Miss Teen Canada First Princess earned Taralyn another crown and sash decorated with jewels.
"I have to acknowledge everyone who supported me especially my parents and grandparents who believed in me along the way. Thank you to the people in the community and people who supported me through all the fundraising events. I could not have achieved this goal without them," says Taralyn with genuine sincerity.
What does the year hold for this bright, vibrant young Leask woman? This year, besides completing her high school studies and participating in school events and sports, Taralyn is encouraged to make a minimum of 10 public appearances throughout the province, and because of earning a national title she is able to extend her appearances to include the country.
Taralyn also has the opportunity to recruit five women between the ages of 13 and 27 to participate in the pageant next year. She will also return to the pageant to participate in the training sessions by sharing her experience and what she has learned during her reign. She will also be in attendance for the crowning of the new recipients.
"I know my adventure has just begun," says Taralyn, "but I want everyone to know that the experience is about more than just a fashion crown."
What follows is a quote from Taralyn from a year ago, "while growing up, I always knew I wouldn't be perfect in anyone's eyes, but now I know that no one should ever have to be. We are placed in this world to be the best we can be and hopefully inspire someone else along the way. Finding out I was accepted into this pageant was exciting, something I never dreamt of doing. It's now the opportunity of a lifetime, for myself, to show the young and older women we are truly beautiful inside and out. I hope for nothing more than to impact and inspire people," said Taralyn who plans to pursue post-secondary education to become a lawyer.
