The Miss Teen Canada pageant finals were a bit of a surreal experience for Shalom Reimer, as she stood on stage and heard her name announced as winner.
“Honestly, I was so surprised (and) excited,” the 17-year-old Fort Langley student said.
“The cameras started coming up on stage and pulling me away to take pictures. The host wanted a video answer to get on film … I was trying to focus and listen to what he was saying, but there was just so much excitement. I didn’t want to cry, but I was just in tears because it’s such an overwhelming experience and there’s so much love.”
Reimer was awarded the title Saturday night after participating in a week-long competition in Laval, Quebec.
The finalists were judged throughout the week in different activities, and only 40 per cent of the competition came down to their work on the stage.
“A lot of it was just getting to know the other people and really learning from everyone’s passions, because there’s girls there from all over — from New Brunswick, from Quebec — so for me, that was kind of an interesting experience,” Reimer said.
“I miss (the other girls) so much, they’re like another family.”
Reimer was originally crowned Miss Teen BC in July, and under that title has participated in many community events, including the Fort Langley Cranberry Festival and Variety Telethon.
With her new national title, she hopes to expand an awareness program she created at her school, Pacific Academy, for girls in Grades 6-8.
The program gives the opportunity for girls to discuss real life issues — including self-defeating thoughts, cutting, bullying, suicide and depression — in a safe environment and come up with strategies to overcome them.
After graduation, Reimer plans on attending post secondary school and becoming a high school teacher.
Applications for Miss BC are now being accepted. Click here to apply.
