Miss Castlegar contestants add sparkle to Spring Fling
By Kyra Hoggan
Photo submitted: Miss Castlegar contestants: (back row): Kelsey Law; Marissa Evdokimoff; Brina Bowen; Madison Benton; Kelsey Negreiff and (front row): Ariel Alexander; Dayna Ready; Kelsea Dorosz; Mariah Morris; Jackie Cook; Manat Dhillon and Christina Postnikoff.
Residents planning to take in this Saturday’s Spring Fling event will also get a chance to meet the dozen young ladies competing for the 2010 Miss Castlegar crown.
Pageant organizer Joanne Baker said this year’s contenders were chosen back in January, when they committed to a year’s worth of community volunteer work at events just like this one.
“They were chosen in the second week of January,” she said. “Since then, they’ve been going to three-hour training sessions each week, learning about public speaking; area politics; nutrition; resume writing; financial planning; makeup and more.”
The young women also introduced themselves to city council at its regular meeting last week, and attended a dessert meeting during which they met their sponsors and got their sashes.
They’ll be seen volunteering at a variety of community events through until December, when Winterfest will serve as grand finale to their pageant year.
Miss Castlegar and her princess will be chosen during the Friday night of Sunfest (June 4), then the entire group of 12 will volunteer throughout Sunfest and during the Lion’s Family Day on Sunday. Meanwhile, the 2009 Miss Castlegar and princess continue to travel around the province, participating in parades and events as Castlegar ambassadors.
Baker said the number of contestants is down from 16 last year, which was an unusual spike – this year’s 12 is more in keeping with what organizers expect – but the resident enthusiasm for the pageant remains quite high.
“The sponsorship and community support we get is amazing,” she said.
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