Local woman set to participate in national pageant

Ashley-Paige Smith will be competing in her first ever beauty pageant next month to achieve the title of Mrs. Canada Globe.

With the pageant just under three weeks away, Smith's excitement is growing each day.

Smith is no stranger to the stage. Having been an actor, dancer and even a clown performer, Smith has the personality that will light up any stage.

Though pageants are new to her repertoire, she thought it would be a great outlet to advance her acting career as well as show everyone her outgoing personality.

“I’ve always hoped for positivity and happiness for everyone,” says Smith. “It is something that I have always strived for.”

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The Mrs. Canada Globe pageant is primarily focused around chartable growth. Funds raised from the pageant will go to support Your Time which is a foundation that helps women and young girls have access to menstrual products.

Smith will also be raising funds for Big Brother Big Sisters in Prince George. This organization resonates with Smith due to her strong mentorship from her father.

“I wanted to focus on mentorship. Prince George is a very community based area and a big part of the community is finding mentors and having mentors,” says Smith. “Big Brothers Big Sisters really focuses on those who do not have those types of opportunities.”

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According to Smith, this beauty pageant is like no other.

Aside from charitable deeds, the pageant also focuses on women empowerment and being your best individual self.

“The pageant is helping more women in the long run because they are focusing on accepting ourselves as who we are. You want to be the best presentation of who you are as a person, as whole, not just based on your looks,” states Smith.

While some may presume beauty pageants to be for the tall and thin, Smith assures that this pageant is not that.

“It includes women that are in different careers but all sharing a similar goal of making the world better through charity," states Smith. "If it was not for the charity aspect I would be hesitant to do it."

The pageant will include a swimsuit and an evening gown competition. Delegates are also expected to conduct a 60 second speech in regarding a personality profile. The judges then tally the scores to determine the winner.

“It’s a game changer for women these days because we don't have to be tall or skinny. We can be who we are and really show that no matter who you are you can still put great encouragement out there. It’s opening eyes for a new time which allows women to really express themselves rather than be discouraged for who they are,” states Smith.

All women will also be competing for the People’s Choice Award. This award is based off a voting system on the delegates page. The votes are $10 each and there are no maximum amount of votes per person.

All of the funds raised from the voting will go to support Your Time Foundation.

Both winners will go on to represent Canada in China during the Mrs. Globe pageant.

Smith will be hosting an event on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the university theatre from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Attendees with have the opportunity to watch the Embrace documentary which focuses on the issues women face with body positivity.

Tickets can be purchased through Big Brother Big Sisters, or on Smith's facebook page.

Proceeds from the event will go to support Big Brother Big Sisters as well as the cost of Smith’s pageant.

Smith will be competing in Regina from Feb. 9 to 11.

Best of luck in the competition, Smith! We'll be watching!