Anna Serogyna, a Grade 11 student at StellyB次元官网网址檚 Secondary, did not intend to get into pageants. She downloaded a scouting app, StarNow, to find modelling or dancing work, and ended up being recruited by two other girls.

B次元官网网址淚t was very spontaneous. It just kind of found me,B次元官网网址� said Serogyna.

The process began in August 2016 with paperwork and preliminary interviews over the phone. She competed in Toronto this Aug 16-27, and is now Miss Teen Canada Globe.

Both parents were skeptical at first.

B次元官网网址淚 said no, like, B次元官网网址榥o way weB次元官网网址檙e goingB次元官网网址� because sheB次元官网网址檚 not so organized, and I did not believe she could go,B次元官网网址� said her mother, Victoria.

Her father, Vasyl, said B次元官网网址渢he demands are quite high. Knowing Anna as we do, we were not really sure about her being ready for that.B次元官网网址�

Her parents said Anna was persistent, which Vasyl said is B次元官网网址渙ne of her personal strengths.B次元官网网址�

She learned to walk in four-inch heels by walking the dog at night so no one would see her struggle, because B次元官网网址渨hen I first put on heels my ankles were just wobbling like crazy. I probably couldnB次元官网网址檛 take five steps without falling on my face.B次元官网网址�

She said the 10 days in Toronto were B次元官网网址渞eally fast paced.B次元官网网址� Participants were trained in Q&As, pageant walking, confidence, and hair and makeup, with breaks at CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Wonderland or karaoke and dance nights.

Serogyna said she was worried it would be a cutthroat environment, but the girls bonded quickly.

B次元官网网址淚 was honestly expecting a lot of the girls to be cruel and mean, like trying to cut each other down to make themselves rise up, but that wasnB次元官网网址檛 the case at all. We became really, really close.B次元官网网址�

Victoria went with her daughter to Toronto, but did not get to see her too often.

B次元官网网址淚 tried to support her, bring her desserts and food, talk to her,B次元官网网址� said Victoria.

After a regional round, there was a swimwear walk, an evening gown walk, and an on-stage Q&A where contestants are asked about topical issues or who their role models are (Serogyna chose her mother). She did not have expectations.

B次元官网网址淓very time they started eliminating people, I was going, B次元官网网址極h, IB次元官网网址檓 going to be the next one, IB次元官网网址檓 going to be the next one to go.B次元官网网址�

She said her jaw dropped when she found out she won.

B次元官网网址淚 was so frazzled, but in a good way.B次元官网网址�

Vasyl said one part of AnnaB次元官网网址檚 success were the dresses she wore, which were hand-made by her mother. Victoria used to own VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Stitch on Resthaven Drive.

The family has lived in Sidney for 12 years, moving to Canada in 2003 from Ukraine. They spent a year and a half on the Lower Mainland, then moved up to Sidney in 2005. She once had a paper route delivering the Peninsula B次元官网网址 Review, and both parents work for BC Ferries.

As she placed in the top five, Anna will be sent to compete internationally, but there are no firm plans. SheB次元官网网址檚 been reaching out to make appearances at community events, which is part of her contract. In September, she marshalled a Terry Fox run and spoke to kids. She said she is focused on environmental issues and supports Friends of the Earth Canada.