Tara Teng wins Miss Canada Title

Posted by admin on Feb 1, 2011 in Featured, News | 0 comments

Current Miss B.C and third-year Trinity Western University Student, Tara Teng is beginning a completely new journey. For some, the thought of being Miss Canada was always just a dream. Teng was one of those girls until she was crowned Miss Canada 2011 this past Saturday. She wrote: “Apparently God has big plans ahead- I am honoured to be MISS CANADA 2011! Let’s do this!”

January 26 marked the day that Teng began her competition. In an exclusive interview prior to the pageant, Teng responds to some key things that set her a part from other candidates.

“It’s an extension of what I am doing now, simply, a louder voice,” Teng reasoned for her entrance in this pageant. Teng represents the voice of many young abolitionists who want to see an end to slavery and are willing to do whatever it takes. “Yes, it would be very cool to be Miss Canada, but really, the reason why I am doing it is I want a louder national awareness. Social justice is my passion and focus,” Teng said.

There is more expectation placed on the Miss Canada title than on Miss B.C. Teng spoke, “Everything I am doing now is my own initiative. With the new title, there will be more required about me and, more importantly, a lot more force behind me.”

The position brings Teng to a Global platform. “I am excited to extend beyond B.C. What an honour it [is] to represent Canada and travel across this nation and then to the world to address the issues of social justice,” Teng expressed.

“Every pageant is different. I am kind of walking into it a little bit blind,” Teng explained before leaving. There is a heavy focus on personality, sportsmanship, and character. Teng was originally going to attend another pageant; however, their primary focus was on swimwear and body image. “I really didnít feel right about that one. I don’t want something like the bikini swimwear contest to water down the message I want to tell,” Teng gave as her reasoning for withdrawing from that pageant. Days after she decided to not do it, the host of the original Miss Canada requested her to compete. “The host added me on Facebook after I won Miss B.C. and has been following all of my advocacy efforts, she has even seen me praise God on my status. She knows what I stand for,” Teng excitedly remarked.

There are multiple Miss Canada pageants, which all focus on different things. This pageant initially chose Miss Universe Canada, now another pageant titled Miss Universe Canada sends the winner from their pageant.

There has never been a Miss B.C. that has done what Teng has done. She is spearheading a movement of forerunners that are saying no to injustice. “It’s not a job for me, I am addicted to being that voice and telling people about modern-day slavery. I want to say: hey Canada, lets get back to our roots!” voiced Teng.

Teng has one mission: to be a voice. “I need to keep focused and not get sidetracked. We all get distracted by shiny things,” Tengs admitted. Not straying from what she believes in, what she stands for, and what her convictions are is how Teng plans to approach this challenge before her. Moving forward, Teng is excited about her new title and what it means. “I know that my focus is clear — I am not a Beauty Queen, I am an abolitionist. I am using my voice to bring an end to the modern day slave trade.”