A West Vancouver resident is vying for the title of Miss BC.
Tanya Halata, 22, is among 50 hopefuls from across the province who will compete for the Miss BC, Mrs. BC and Miss Teen BC crowns June 30.
The Rockridge secondary grad and her fellow contestants will be evaluated in a private judge's interview, an on-stage interview, a sportswear presentation, an evening gown presentation, a sponsor costume introduction as well as in charity fundraising. The charity of the Miss BC Pageant is the Cops for Cancer Tour of the Canadian Cancer Society.
Leading up to the final pageant, Halata and the other entrants received training in areas such as public speaking, interview skills, media relations, modelling, manners, etiquette, leadership, self-esteem, health, fitness, nutrition, assertiveness, motivational speaking and self-defense.
In a press release from Miss BC, creator and producer Darren Storsley states that the program is not a beauty pageant. "It will be a well-rounded, intelligent, outgoing and well-spoken young lady who will win the crown, not necessarily the most beautiful girl," he says.
The release states that, unlike some other pageants, there is not a long list of rules that might make many women ineligible. There is no maximum age limit, nor are there height and weight requirements. Among the contenders are single moms, a former competitor in the Special Olympics as well as a contestant with autism. And, for the fourth year in a row, the pageant has a Mrs. BC category for married women.
The public is invited to vote for their favourite contestant for the People's Choice award at missbc.ca. The Miss BC Talent and Presentation night takes place Saturday, June 28 at 6 p.m. at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort Langley, and the final show and crowning of Miss BC, Miss Teen BC and Mrs. BC happens Monday, June 30 at 7 p.m. at the same theatre.
The pageant will be broadcast on Shaw TV this fall.
