Arthur girl sharpens modelling skills at Miss Teen Canada competition

by Kris Svela

ARTHUR

Aleasha O’Donnell has been modeling for the past four years.

So when an opportunity arose to help her sharpen her skills she grabbed it, participating at a national level in the Miss Teen Canada Globe competition in mid-August.

Prior to the competition she was named Miss Teen Western Ontario Globe, which paved the way for her to participate in the federal level contest held Toronto Aug. 14 to 21.

The 16-year-old has been taking modeling and taking acting classes in Kitchener at Cameo Models, but she still needed to gain greater confidence, said her mother Kim.

“She had many opportunities to model, but she wasn’t mature,” Kim said.

Added Aleasha, “I was really shy.”

She attended a regional qualifier in July and was placed in the top 10. Based on her photographs and how she conducted herself during a telephone interview, O’Donnell scored over the required 80 points and gained the Miss Teen Western Ontario Globe title.

It’s a title she will hold for a year, representing the Globe organization at local fairs, including this weekend’s Arthur Fall Fair.

At the national competition, 20 contestants are judged throughout the week on their poise and confidence. The contestants were also choreographed on a dance number performed together at the finale at the Richmond Hill Theatre of Arts.

O’Donnell also had to do a speech and she chose cancer charity Friends for Life as her topic.

The contestants also were treated to a tour of Canada’s Wonderland and enjoyed a karaoke evening.

O’Donnell said the week-long preparations took up most of her time.

“It’s a lot of work,” she said of the experience. She made some new friends among the contestants, particularly Brittany Doleman of Dundas, who took the top prize.

Aleasha said the experience has strengthened her confidence.

“I’m still shy, but not as shy,” she said. “I have more confidence and it was a good experience.”

She has no plans to enter any future pageants and will focus more on modeling.

The $3,000 cost to enter the national competition was offset by sponsors who supported her. Her father Gary said she appreciated all the assistance and encouragement she got from family and sponsors.

Aleasha also wished to thank all those who supported her.

 

September 9, 2011