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Miss BC competition a BԪַcatalystBԪַ for confidence, advocacy

Past winner Tara Teng reflects on her accomplishments as this yearBԪַs event approaches

More than five years and two children later, Tara Teng still thanks the Miss BC program for instilling in her a lot of the confidence she has now as a mom, blogger and activist.

Teng, originally from Powell River, won Miss BC in 2010.

But she didnBԪַt stop there, winning Miss Canada in 2011 and Miss World Canada in 2012.

Representing Canada among 118 competitors on the international stage, she used her new-found courage to shed light on human trafficking BԪַ a cause thatBԪַs close to her heart.

BԪַMiss BC gave me the platform to spread awareness on a global scale,BԪַ Teng said, BԪַand opened doors to some of the highest offices of influences that might have otherwise been closed to me as a young woman.BԪַ

Now a life and style blogger, Teng is the B.C. director for the Joy Smith Foundation and continues to deliver her message in 40,000-seat stadiums and on TEDx stages.

BԪַAnd it was Miss BC that was a catalyst for all that.BԪַ

In addition to her work at the foundation and writing for the BԪַsocially conscious woman,BԪַ Teng said she is still part of Miss BC, but now behind the scenes.

A post shared by Tara Teng BԪַ Miss Canada 2012 (@misstarateng) on

She runs leadership workshops for the participants and helped create a new Junior Miss BC category.

BԪַWe wanted there to be something equally empowering and inspiring for preteen girls,BԪַ she said.

BԪַOur workshops include topics on real beauty, self-esteem, public speaking, leadership, as well as issues such as bullying and online safety.BԪַ

Since her days on stage, Teng said sheBԪַs seen beauty pageants change their approach to what beauty looks like, and believes that Miss BC has led the way.

Some of her fellow competitors have gone on to becoming neurosurgeons, politicians and Olympians.

BԪַThese are women with a voice, who champion important causes and who are blazing trails and breaking glass ceilings in their communities, education and their workplaces.BԪַ

This yearBԪַs Miss BC pageant, of which Black Press is a sponsor, is set for July 1 to 3 in Fort Langley.

You can vote for your Miss Teen BC pick in the . Votes can be casted online, once per hour, until the contest closes on Friday, June 23 at midnight.



About the Author: Ashley Wadhwani-Smith

I began my journalistic journey at Black Press Media as a community reporter in my hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C.
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