Shania Desjarlais has been named Miss Young of the World 2018-19 at the Miss Teen City World Queen competition held on November 24 in the Dominican Republic.
Already the Miss Canada Globe Productions Young Canadian Achiever for 2017/18 and Miss Teen Northern Alberta 2017/18, Desjarlais represented Canada at the recent world event in Santo Domingo.
The road to the global stage had its challenges. Before Desjarlais left for the world competition, the busy student struggled with fundraising and making appearances. She had a lot going on, and said that time seemed to be against her. Balancing school work with pageant commitments was an obstacle she overcame, but the biggest challenge was reaching her fundraising goal. Just one month before the big trip, Desjarlais was short half of her funds — but she didn’t give up because she thought “I’d rather work towards reaching my goal and make it to the Dominican to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience and to represent our country, Canada”.
With a lot of determination — and support from her local Metis leaders, she was able to pull through just one week before her flight.
During the dress fitting and practices in Toronto, before travelling to the Caribbean show, Shania remained optimistic.
Miss Young of the World
“I just wanted to do my best. I didn’t think I’d win but then I thought again, ‘What if I do win?’”
Getting to the tropical locations, there was a lot of practice for the pageant contestants. It was hard work in hot weather, she said.
“It was a lot of of long, hot days. Although I was tired and my feet hurt, I still did my best and tried hard, I always tried to be courteous. I think that made a difference,” she said.
The Thank You
Her crowning as Miss Young of the World — the first time the honour has been given to an Indigenous contestant — is the end result of a lot of hard work, determination, family help and community support.
“I would like to thank my pageant sisters Winnie, Savannah, and Alyssa for being there for me and supporting me in every step there. I would like to thank Miss Canada Globe Productions for giving me such a great opportunity to represent our country. All of this couldn’t happened without all of you.
I would like to thank all my sponsors – Kingdom Cats, Metis Local #193, Metis Local Region one, and two, Metis Nation of Alberta, Mo’s Billiard Pool Hall, Jason’s Mobile Steams and my communities Conklin and Lac La Biche. I would like say a huge thank-you for letting me reach my dream as a young role model.
I would like to thank my family, and my boyfriend’s family for being my biggest supporters in every way they could and helping me become a more independent young person. I couldn’t do it without all of you guys. Most of you guys have been following my journey from the start and I just would like to say thank you for supporting me in every way to win an international crown. Love ya”
Helping others
The new title will go far to helping the young woman to help others and to raise awareness for issues she has championed since she began her pageant work. The pageant, he says, has helped her to discover a better understanding of her need to help others.
“Now that I have my international crown, I’m going to be even better and use my voice to continue raising my awareness with mental health amongst indigenous youth. I’m going to make a change and soon be an inspiration,” she said.
Desjarlais says that raising awareness for Mental Health with Indigenous Youth over the past year has really helped her to grow as well. Her message to other youth is to chase dreams and aspirations.
“Never stop trying and always follow your dreams and goals because dreams can come true and goals can be reached,” she said. “Work hard for what you believe in and especially believe in yourself because hard work does pay off — and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Desjarlais is working hard in school to graduate in June 2019 and is planning on working towards becoming and EMT.
