Being crowned Miss Teen Alberta-World!

Hi! My name is Lindsay, and on March 18th, I was crowned Miss Teen Alberta-World 2012.

I have been living in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta for as long as I can remember. A historic city just twenty minutes from North Edmonton, I am proud to call this town my home.

One of my favourite things in life is the performing arts. In my first year of junior high, grade seven, I was cast in the role of Anne, in Anne of Green Gables. Playing Anne changed my life! Ever since the day I dyed my hair carrot red, I have been a part of as many plays, musicals, and theatre productions as my schedule will allow.

Me as Christine on one of the "Phantom of the Opera" posters.

Theatre not only taught me how to act, it taught me how to take risks and dedicate myself completely to a task. Some of my favourite memories include learning and practicing a Brooklyn accent for my grade nine performance in Guys & Dolls, and painting my face like a cat for last year’s high school production of Cats the Musical. This year, in my grade eleven year, I am over the moon to be playing Christine in Phantom of the Opera! I even got to be on one of the posters!

At the front of the line for my first ballet Christmas concert at age 6.

My passion for musical theatre also stems from my love of dance. Although I began as a six year old ballerina, now, at sixteen, I have found my true passion in variety jazz, also known as ’musical theatre.’ This dance genre allows me to sing, dance, and act all at the same time. Last year, my group performed a number from the Rogers & Hammerstein musical South Pacific. “Gonna Wash that Man” earned us gold medals in dance festivals, and I was awarded two on-stage scholarships for my performance. This year’s dance festivals are beginning in only a few weeks, and I’m very excited to be dancing to the comedic song ”The Kids are Finally Asleep!” from the off Broadway show, Motherhood the Musical. As well as being good exercise, dance is a wonderful form of expression. It’s also a good excuse to be on stage!

When asked the question “What is your favourite season?” I never know the answer! Summer is fabulous, with hot weather, swimsuit shopping, and some of my favourite sports, such as Frisbee and wake boarding. I love carefree summers on the beach with a good book and some delicious ice cream.

Working on the Mayan Temple during the sand castle contest.

Last year, during my family’s annual summer vacation in Penticton, British Columbia, my sister and I entered a sand castle contest with some of our friends. In our category, we had two hours to create a masterpiece out of sand, water, and all natural building supplies, such as pine-cones, rocks, twigs, etc. During those two hours, our team of five created what we called “Sandcastles of the World,” with a sand coliseum, Mayan temple, igloo, Stonehenge, and pyramid. We managed to take first prize, and all split the money! (Although we eventually all spent it on ice cream!)

On a hike in September 2011, near Lake Louise, Alberta.

Autumn and spring bring hiking season to Alberta! I am a part of my school’s ‘outdoor club,’ a group of students and teachers who travel to the Rocky Mountains and spend a weekend each semester tenting and hiking. These trips are endless sources of fun, team building, and of course, plenty of exercise.

Enjoying the last run of the day down Blackcomb Mountain in December, 2010.

I find winter equally enjoyable. Over Christmas, in 2010, my family traveled to Whistler, British Columbia, one of the locations of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. During our holiday, we had the opportunity to go snowmobiling, and dog sledding, both of which I had never experienced before! Everything about the adventures were incredible, especially the mountain-top vistas. Also during our Whistler holiday, we took a few days to ski/snowboard down Blackcomb mountain.

At Edmonton Fashion Week in September 2008.

I have always been interested in modeling and acting. One of my favourite experiences was modeling for Edmonton Fashion Week in 2008. My sister and I walked the runway, representing the Eveline Charles Salon. Our category was called “Femme Fatale.”  We had so much fun getting our hair, makeup, and professional photos done.

At Sam's grad in June 2011.

My sister is my best friend. She graduated from high school last year, and is now attending the University of Alberta. We are three years apart, although most days we feel like we are twins! She was crowned Miss Teen Fort Saskatchewan-World 2011 at last year’s regional pageant, and placed in the top 20 at nationals. She helped me immensely with the pageant, from my walk, to letting me borrow her dress. My parents were equally as helpful and supportive with the pageant (my mom is the best shopping partner ever!). Without the support I had from them, the rest of my family, and my friends, I would not be here today. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Miss Teen Alberta-World 2012, and Miss Teen Alberta-World 2011, Alexandra Hanasz.

I’m honoured to be taking over the blog of Alexandra Hanasz, Miss Teen Alberta-World 2011, who placed first runner up at the national pageant last year! She is lovely, and I have some big shoes to fill.

Hopefully this post has helped you get to know me, and I’m excited to keep you updated on my preparation for the Miss Teen Canada-World pageant in the summer!

Love,

Lindsay

My amazing experience at Miss Teen Canada – World has now come to a close. I am now in the beautiful country of Poland, relaxing with my family and friends for a little bit before I head off to Houston. But enough of now, let me tell you about my experience…

I arrived in Toronto a couple days prior to when the delegates had to meet for registration on the ninth of July. The day of registration was a very exciting time. Most of the day I spent scanning the room looking at all the beautiful 74 contestants who were striving for the title of Miss Teen Canada-World 2011. I felt intimidated immediately, but I also felt a sense of comfort, all the girls were very sweet and genuine, and all of us clicked right away and became amazing friends throughout the week. Every single girl standing in that room was capable and deserving of the title. And I’m so thrilled to say that I came out of the competition with the greatest friends I could have ever asked for. I love you girls so much you made my experience so memorable and I hope we stay close in the years to come.

Video from Rob Campbell at registration:

In the competition I ended up placing First Runner Up, I won the award Best In Swimwear as well as Best In Runway. I was also very fortunate to have won second place in the Talent competition and had the privilege of performing at the final night of competition along with one other contestant.

I was not expecting to make it anywhere close to winning the title, so I was mind blown when I was standing holding hands with Lauren waiting for the first runner up to be announced.

I felt my heart drop as my name was called, but I have to say that Lauren Howe (reigning Miss Teen Canada-World) is the perfect fit for the title and is an absolutely amazing person from the inside out. I look at her as my role model and am truthfully very happy she had won. So congratulations Lauren Howe! I hope you have an amazing year and good luck at Miss Teen World 2011. Bring home the title of Miss Teen World!

I’m still having a bit of a mind block from this incredible week! It was very busy, and went by so quickly. It was always go go go! I will be posting everything that had happened during the week and writing about the entire experience from day one as soon as I get the time too, but for now I hope you enjoy and take the time to watch the video I have posted underneath! It is a video that will show you what it was like during Miss Teen Canada – World 2011 Pageant Week!

Pageant Week:

Video of the Top Twenty contestants:

Miss Teen Canada-World Sponsors Video:

Miss Teen Canada World Prizes Video:

Thank you!

I will continue posting on this blog until my reign is over, then I will be changing my domain to another title so you can still follow my posts!

Love,

Alexandra

I hope you enjoy my new reality TV show which takes place in my dance school called “Sash Studios Inc.” On my show I will have the privilege of watching numerous incredible dancers fight for the opportunity to become a professional and succeed as a dancer in the performing arts industry. Here you can watch the up close and personal lives of these striving dancers and see what it’s like to be a student at Sash Studios. We will be taking you on a journey of auditions, painful classes, performances and exams that will teach these dancers the life of a true artist.

Set Up: Dancers will be living in a residence close to the studio where they train on a daily basis. Cameras will be following them from their dorms to the studio and to every event they attend. Dancers are in the ages between fourteen and twenty and all of them have to have completed their intermediate dance exams to be eligible for filming. These dancers will take classes such as ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary and hip-hop. The taping will be created through the eyes of the director of the school (Alexandra Hanasz) and through the point of view of certain dancers. Dancers will also be taught by guest teachers and choreographers aside from those who officially work with Alexandra at Sash Studios.

Goal: This show will expose the dancer’s talent by classes, auditions and school performances. The goal of the show is to find 5 female and 5 male dancers to have the opportunity to dance in Sash Inc. Professional Dance Company.  Television audience can watch the show and after will have the opportunity to vote on the dancers that they believe have the potential to join the company. A final decision will be made by Alexandra Hanasz and her team of professional dancers on which finalists get to join the company.

Sponsors of this show: We are so blessed to have such great sponsors! We would like to thank Billy Elliot and Rimmel London for giving our show so much to strive on.

Why does Bill Elliot sponsor our show? Billy Elliot is a world renowned musical about an eleven year old boy who is an aspiring dancer. Billy Elliot is a musical that relates to our show so much because we also are here to show you the life of aspiring dancers. With the sponsorship of Billy Elliot we allow the world to become educated on dance, and to become more passionate about a world growing and becoming even stronger in the art of dance.

What does Billy Elliot get from sponsoring us? They can scope out new upcoming talents and new upcoming professional dancers for their future productions. They can host auditions and rehearsals at our school and can use our professional teachers and choreographers for their productions. As well they will get a lot of publicity, good PR, and good contacts in the industry from our show.

Why does Rimmel London sponsor Sash Studios Inc. THE SHOW? Good stage make-up is crucial for our dancers to present themselves well on stage! Nothing is worse than when you can’t see the tragic or happy expressions on a dancers face because they look to blank and their features are not defined. Even on a daily basis dancers need to look good. Looking good means feeling good, and feeling good means dancing good (well). These students need to feel their best to reach their fullest potential when they train, audition AND perform!

What does Rimmel London get from sponsoring our show? Rimmel London will get a lot of publicity because Sash Studios Inc. Is the most famous dance school in Canada. Many young and aspiring stars have attended our studio and moved on to become professionals in the performing arts industry. Playing roles in films, musicals, Broadway and dance companies created around the world. Set aside from that our show will be a major hit this summer!

Hope you enjoy watching my show!

The reason I created this idea for my assignment is because it is very close to my heart. My platform is supporting the performing arts, and creating a dance school similar to the one I’ve listed above is a dream of mine to create one day. I want to have a school where dancers have felt they have reached their fullest potential and going out into the dance world believing they have a chance at reaching the top.

Thank you for reading, I appreciate it very much.

-Alexandra

-Because I definitely did.

On Canada Day, I participated in my community Canada Day party. I had a great time talking to kids and elders about Free The Children and my participation in Miss Teen Canada-World Pageant. Everyone was so supportive and sweet; and all in such great festive moods to celebrate Canada’s 144^th birthday.

The main part of my day was spent hosting a fundraiser for Free The Children by selling cupcakes! I was so fortunate to be sponsored by Fuss Cupcakes, who have the most beautiful and diverse cupcakes I’ve ever seen! They gave me the most delicious and distinctive choices that everyone at the party just fell in love with.

I would just like to send a great thank you to Fuss Cupcakes (Edmonton, AB) for sponsoring me and contributing to an amazing cause. You made a lot of kids smile on Canada Day! And I would particularily like to thank Kostas for giving me this oppurtunity to fundraise for Free The Children!

Love,

Alexandra

FREE THE CHILDREN: Free The Children is an organization founded in 1995 by a twelve year old Canadian boy by the name of Craig Keilbuger. It is one of the better known charities in Canada specializing in helping children in underdeveloped countries through education, sanitation, cleaning water, eliminating exploitation, and reducing poverty. Craig Kielburger created this organization after he saw a news article about a child labourer who was killed in Pakistan after he spoke up against child labour.

“It’s not charity. It’s sustainability. And no one is too young to help.”

In its charitable efforts the Free The Children Organization is being supported by several prestigious Canadian corporate sponsors such as Air Canada, National Bank, Investors Group, Me to WE, and Oprah’s Angel Network and many others. 

One partner that stood out to me was CTV. CTV is one of Free the Children’s major corporate partners. They are the main stream broadcasters of Free the Children’s most important and well known events, We Day.

WE DAY IS WATCHED BY MILLIONS ON CTV 

We Day was created by the Free the Children Organization, started in 2007 for students and youth, to influence them to make a positive change in society. It is a one day event that is hosted in large stadiums in selected cities across Canada for example Vancouver, Waterloo, Toronto and Winnipeg.  This is a day of celebration where many popular singers/dancers and speakers as well as many influential people perform inspirational speeches, songs and presentations that inspire youth to make a positive change in the world. This event is supported by corporate partners such as CTV for a worthy social cause. There is no admission fee but each group attending We Day must perform one domestic and one out of the country service during the next year.

An image from We Day

Some of the artists and influencial people that have performed or spoken at We Day are: Dr. Jane Goodall (founder of Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace), Al Gore (known for his film “The inconvenient truth”, former Vice President of the United States and Nobel Prize winner.), Elie Wiesel (Nobel Laureate), The cast of Degrassi: The Next Genereation, Jessi Cruickshank, host of MTV’s The After Show, Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire (retired), Craig and Marc Kielburger, founders of Free The Children, Sarah McLachlan, The Jonas Brothers, Hedley, Jason Mraz, Justin Bieber and K’NAAN.

WE DAY!

 CTV is working presently together with Art Bound and Free The Children Organization to make a documentary movie about a trip undertaken by Craig Keilburger and representatives of Art Bound to Kenya to build an arts school. The intention is to inspire youth and to change their perception through contact with the arts.

One of the many ways I fundraised for Free The Children was hosting a boot camp! My amazing trainer Shanna (from FitnessFirst Personal Training) organized the boot camp for an hour and half work out that consisted of running stairs, taking laps around a park, tons of crunches and push-ups, running with sand bags and ball weights all in hot sunny weather! It was quite the work out.

The reason I chose to do a boot camp was because I am extremely passionate about fitness, health and wellness!

Shanna and I started to do these boot camps on a regular basis to fundraise for Free The Children! We created something called “Get Fit-Help A Kid” which is now the motto for all the boot camps we host!

I hope this educates you a little more on the partnership between CTV and Free The Children as well as what I have been doing to fundraise for Free The Children!

Have a good day!

Love,

Alexandra

References:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RiUHRCK0yw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOsFqMwL_3Q

Love,

Alexandra

Edmonton is filled with wonderful attractions! My favourite place to go, which I visit on a daily basis when I go running, is the beautiful River Valley. Edmonton has a gorgeous river valley area with wonderful trails for walking, running and for biking. Many athletes train in the river valley area, as well as many boot camps and athletic events (particularly long distance running) go on in the river valley. It is a quiet peaceful area full of nature that I recommend it for visitors.

Another place that I recommend for visit is the Muttart Conservatory close to downtown Edmonton. The Muttart Conservatory is a museum that consists of four pyramids which each hold a botanical garden. Each pyramid is designed to have a different climate where different plants and trees grow. With one visit you can experience and escape to a tropical or dry climate and see the plant life in each, and get educated on the exotic plants. Many weddings and celebrations happen in the Muttart Conservatory as well.

If you are planning to stay in Edmonton for longer than just a day, the hotel I recommend for you is the breathtaking Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, the most luxurious and historical hotel in Edmonton. The Macdonald hotel is overlooking the largest urban park way in North America and its class and elegance has been enjoyed by many who have stayed at the hotel since it was built in 1915.

An absolute ‘must visit’ place in Edmonton is the brand new Art Gallery of Alberta! It’s unique and stunning architectural exterior design is only a small part of the amazing gallery. Here you can find historical and contemporary art from Alberta and around the world! The exhibit is very educational and interesting to view. While you’re at the gallery you can also visit the Zinc Restaurant which is also has a beautiful architectural design and amazing food perfect for any occasion if its breakfast with the family, a lunch date, or a fancy dinner.

Right next to the art gallery is Edmonton City Hall. This is a gorgeous place to visit, is has a great fountain in the front that becomes an ice rink in the winter. Edmonton City Hall is a venue for many artistic events such as concerts and exhibits and as well has a stunning modern architectural design.

Edmonton City Hall

West Edmonton Mall

And last of all, if you are a visiting Edmonton you just can’t miss one of the biggest malls in North America; Edmonton’s famous West Edmonton Mall. Filled with the most luxurious stores and fun attractions like a huge water park, a mini golfing park, an enormous pirate ship, a Dolphin and Sea Lion park, The Fantasy Land Hotel (at this hotel you can choose many different type themed rooms! They are amazing!), an indoor theme park called ‘Galaxy Land’ and my favourite ice rink called ‘Ice Palace’ which is placed right in the open in the midst of all the stores. You can go here and find anything!

I hope this gives you all a good idea of the attraction in Edmonton! Hope you make a visit soon.

Love,

Alexandra