The Asian community should be beaming with pride for Anh, Carmen, Christine, Cleo, Dionne, Gagan, Janelle, Kimberley, Liyang, Meena, Prianka, Raman, Sangita, Vanessa, and Yandy who have all been chosen to compete in the Miss BC Pageant on Sunday, July 4th in Fort Langley.
They will compete among 50 contestants from across the province who have the dream of becoming the next Miss BC. Last year’s winner, schoolteacher Sandra Gin, was also of Asian descent!
During the three day event, all contestants receive professional training in areas such as public speaking, interview skills, media relations, modelling, choreography, stage training, self -esteem development, manners, etiquette and even self-defense.
“These skills will help all the contestants, whether or not they are chosen as the new Miss BC,” says director Darren Storsley, who himself, won the Mr. Canada title in 2003.
“The next Miss BC will attend various functions across the province and needs to possess the skills these workshops offer, however these are skills that are important in any environment. This is not strictly a Beauty Pageant,” states Storsley.
“It will be a well-rounded, intelligent, outstanding and well spoken young lady who will win the crown, not necessarily the most beautiful girl.”
The contestants compete in a private judge’s interview, an on-stage interview, sportswear presentation, evening gown presentation, sponsor costume introduction and charity fundraising. The Charity of the Miss BC Pageant is the Cops for Cancer Tour through the Canadian Cancer Society.
Last year over $19,000 was raised through the Miss BC organization. Most contestants choose to do fundraisers for Cops for Cancer leading up to the pageant. “The best part of this whole program is that we support kids who have cancer and through this event we can send some of those kids to Camp Goodtimes. It is very emotional when the contestants meet these children they have been fundraising for and the police officers who ride on the tour. This is all about reaching out to the community and this pageant is an excellent example of this.”
The public can support the local contestants by voting for their favourite contestant via the internet in the People’s Choice Award category by visiting www.missbc.ca
Here are some of the contestants.

Miss BC 2010
Talent Show: Friday, July 2 at 7:00pm
($10 Admission)
Pageant: Sunday, July 4 at 7:00pm
($20 Admission)
Location: Chief Sepass Theatre, Langley Fine Arts School, 9096 Trattle Street, Fort Langley BC