The Seafest pageant is a top notch, very popular event during our local summer festival, Seafest. Every year it draws a diverse group of young women from across the Tri-County area. Some people have a negative view of "pageants", which is not helped by TV shows like "Toddlers & Tiaras" that my mom loves watching. Having been involved in photographing the event and participants for the last, I don't know how many, years, I have seen the incredible results of the experience. The girls who take part in the competition are assessed in fitness, academic achievement, public speaking and community involvement and volunteerism. Some of the girls appear in the beginning to be lacking a lot of self-confidence or esteem, and when you meet them again after a few months of being involved in the pageant and helping with different functions throughout the year, they are typically more confident, glowing, more effective communicators and successful students or workers.
The girl, who is awarded the crown and title of Seafest Queen 2010, will be very active in events, celebrations, festivals, community fundraisers and other public service opportunities throughout the year. They then gain the title of Miss Southwestern Nova Scotia that qualifies them to run in the Miss Canada International pageant. This title includes a scholarship for their education as well. Yarmouth and the women that we send have always had a very high standing and earned much respect from that national contest. In fact, this year the winner of Miss Canada International and the first runner up was both won by former Seafest contestants/Queen, Bridget Nickerson and Ginette Surette respectively. It is no surprise to us, having seen the incredible experience they gain from their year as Seafest Queen, and from their interactions with the local coordinator, Linda Deveau, who epitomizes poise, grace, confidence, volunteerism and character. (Just wait for Linda, I PROMISE I will try to capture her for this blog someday soon!!)
This year like every other the candidates were incredibly special girls. At the end of the night, Miss Friendship was awarded by the girls to Chelsea Fitzgerald, first runner up to the Queen was given to Nicole Harrington (who also won the award for top Academic performance among the girls) and the new Seafest Queen for 2010 was given to Ariel Smith (who also took home the fitness award). Ariel's parents were extremely proud of her and I know she will make this community proud. As other years, the pageant finished with a group photo (see above) of all of the committee, judges, contestants, helpers, alumni and then smaller group shots of different combinations to archive the night. Here are a couple of the shots I took, enjoy! (**PLEASE note, I am posting this a little later than the 13th, clearly since the event only took place on Thursday, July 15th, I was in need of someone for today, so I chose them since they have been helping get Seafest off the ground all week long.**)
Theme Song for Today: Modern World by Anouk (Hilarious and awesome lyrics... LOVE her voice, attitude and music)
PS PLEASE VOTE for Seafest on www.westjetfestivals.com. Click on register in the top right hand corner and vote, only one vote PER EMAIL ADDRESS, hint hint!! Help us get some added exposure nationally!!
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