Three Foothills teens have more than beauty to offer in next month’s Miss Teen Calgary Pageant.
Volunteerism, athleticism, entrepreneurship and intelligence are among the traits Miss Teen Calgary contestant Kealey Atkinson, of Black Diamond, and Miss Junior Teen contestants Genevieve Van Muyen and Emma Glowatsky, of Okotoks, are bringing to the stage in the Aug. 8 competition.
The eldest competitor, Atkinson, has been an avid volunteer throughout her childhood, assisting with such organizations as the Rising Sun Long Term Care in Black Diamond and Sheep River Health Trust in Okotoks.
Last year, she raised more than $500 and collected a truck full of supplies for the Heaven Can Wait Animal Shelter in High River.
"We really need to give back to the people who raised us," she said. "That's why working at the Rising Sun is really important to me. It's helping to take care of the people who created what we have now.
"It's a really important part of being a good citizen."
Competing in the pageant is like a dream come true for Atkinson. She became interested in Miss Teen Calgary after Okotoks teen Taylor McCarroll won the title two years ago.
“I’ve wanted to get into pageantry since I was little,” she said. “I love the glamour aspect of it – the beautiful dresses, the hair dos and the glitter.”
Through her research, Atkinson learned that pageants are about more than just beauty.
“It’s an opportunity to role model and be a public figure,” she said. “So many opportunities come with it like friendships and opportunities for traveling, modelling and working in the community.”
The Longview Elementary School and Oilfields High School alumna dances competitively with Balance Dance Centre in Okotoks.
After being accepted at various post-secondary institutions, she’s deciding between nursing at Mount Royal University and biochemistry at the University of Lethbridge.
In the meantime, Atkinson is preparing for the pageant’s swimsuit contest, gown contest, question and answer competition and live interview. Points are awarded in these and several other categories like congeniality and social media presence.
The winner of the crown qualifies for Miss Teen Canada on Aug. 24 and will spend a year attending community events across Alberta, serve as a role model to youth and participate in special events and interviews while developing confidence, courage and grace.
“No matter what the outcome, it’s definitely going to be a good experience,” said Atkinson. “Even when you lose there’s a life lesson in it.”
The competition is smaller this year than most after several contestants withdrew in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Atkinson is competing against just three young women in her category.
Fifteen-year-old Genevieve Van Muyen is one of four contestants in the Junior Teen category.
The Alberta High School of Fine Arts student, who has a love for theatre, makeup, dance and tumbling, hopes the pageant will help develop her public speaking abilities.
The member of Toastmasters said she was searching for more public speaking opportunities and the Miss Teen Calgary pageant seemed to be the perfect fit.
Van Muyen said she’s been working hard on her public speaking skills for the pageant.
“I’m quite nervous, mostly about the question and answer part,” she said. “People think pageants are about beauty, but it’s a lot about stage presence, public speaking and being part of the community. Confidence plays a big part in it.”
Also competing for the title of Miss Junior Teen is 14-year-old Emma Glowatsky.
The John Paul II Collegiate honours with distinction student is an ambassador for Okotoks Youth Entrepreneurs in Action and operates two businesses: Tyed Co., a custom tie die apparel company, and Emma's Services, offering babysitting, lawn care and dog walking.
“It’s this group we have in Okotoks where everyone helps each other build ideas for their businesses,” she said. “We encourage youth to start now. They don’t have to wait until they’re older to start their business.”
Glowatsky, an avid volunteer who supports such organizations as the Rowan House Emergency Shelter and Okotoks Kinsmen Club, is a model through the Patti Falconer Agency.
“The late Patti Falconer really loved pageants,” she said. “I thought by being a part of it I was helping to continue her legacy. Even though I never got to meet her it’s really important to me.”
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, contestants can choose to compete in a scaled-back event at the Banff Trail Community Centre in Calgary or virtually from their homes.
