Six young ladies recently participated in the 2102 Miss Elkford Pageant which seen two of them being crowned as Miss Elkford and Miss Elkford Princess. Leading up to the event these teens have spent the past six months preparing for the big day by leaning, volunteering and participating in several classes and events. This year, the pageant was spread over Friday and Saturday evening giving candidates, their little buddies and visiting guests ample opportunity to greet the crowd and show off to their best. "We had some feedback from the community that two nights would be better than just one long night. Also, it makes it more worth it for visiting royalty to come all this way. The royalty experienced Elkford with a pool party and tours of Fording and the new Community Center during their visit which was really a lot of fun, says Debbie Kliment Pageant Director.
Candidates Morgan McLean, Maddi McHarg, Anastasia Wildeman, Chiara MacPherson, Meaghan Frenks and Cassandra Nixon have spent plenty of time preparing for the pageant, taking workshops on financial planning, sewing, resume writing and interview techniques, healthy eating, healthy relationships, self defense, modeling and more. They have played key roles in their communities, and been mentors and friends to their little buddies. The girls mingled and mixed with honoured guests and made lifelong friends with visiting royalty from other communities across B.C. creating memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. "Each and every one of these girls are great, they have all made a big commitment to be a part of this pageant, they work hard and any one of them would be a great ambassador and representative for Elkford," says McKerracher.
With a full crowd, Friday night kicked off with a greeting from the Mayor and the grand entrance of little buddies Annabelle Scott, Zoey Mackay, Peyton McKerracher-Bauer, Vanessa Shinners, Samantha Sutton and Lily Cronin-Barrow, a talent show and a frugal fashion show. "The little buddies are a tremendous part of the event," says Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher. "It excites the little ones and gets them involved having great experiences and a lot of fun. You can tell they definitely enjoy the modeling part the most," he says. The following evening as the stakes were at their highest the ladies opened with speeches, modeled their evening gowns and answered an impromptu question.
The judging panel was made up of Mary Giuliano from Fernie, Yvonne Molle from Fernie and Michelle Epp Pageant Director in Trail, B.C.
Miss Elkford Queen and Miss Congeniality was awarded to Cassandra Nixon and the Miss Elkford Princess was awarded to Anastasia Wildeman. Other awards were given to Chiara MacPherson for spending the least amount of money, one dollar, on her frugal fashion show outfit, and to Morgan McLean for being the most improved public speaker.
The 2011 Queen and Princess, Sydney Thompson and Shaelan Bauer handed over their crowns, as the new Youth Ambassadors set off on the first moments of their new roles as new Elkford representatives. For the next year Cassandra and Anastasia will travel to many events and pageants. They will speak of their experiences, be role models to other young girls and share the story of their community.