Okotokian chasing childhood dream

3 February 2010 by John Barlow - Editor No Comments 2,882 views

While most Canadians were enjoying Hockey Day in Canada on Saturday, one young lady was focused on a completely different competition south of border in hopes of someday being part of the pageantry.

Kristina Lavallee, 20, was glued to her television in Okotoks watching the 2010 Miss America pageant on Saturday. However, she was not cheering for any one participant rather she was scouting the competition.

Lavallee will be one of several women representing Alberta at the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto in June and she wanted to see what set the winner apart from the rest of the competition.

“I have wanted to be Miss Universe Canada since I was a little girl,” said Lavallee. “Being in the competition is on my bucket list because it is something I have always wanted to do.

While most Canadians were enjoying Hockey Day in Canada on Saturday, one young lady was focused on a completely different competition south of border in hopes of someday being part of the pageantry.

Kristine Lavallee will be representing Alberta at the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto in June.

Kristina Lavallee, 20, was glued to her television in Okotoks watching the 2010 Miss America pageant on Saturday. However, she was not cheering for any one participant rather she was scouting the competition.

Lavallee will be one of several women representing Alberta at the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto in June and she wanted to see what set the winner apart from the rest of the competition.

“I have wanted to be Miss Universe Canada since I was a little girl,” said Lavallee. “Being in the competition is on my bucket list because it is something I have always wanted to do.

“If I win that would be great, but just to say I did it would be great too.”

To compete in Miss Universe Canada, potential participants must first pass through the provincial competition. Lavallee actually started her quest for Miss Universe Canada three years ago, but quickly realized she was not ready.

“When I was 17 I found the website and started to look into it,” she said. “I realized I was over my head.”

Lavallee was still in high school at Notre Dame Collegiate in High River whereas some of the competitors were university graduates or already had careers.

As a result, Lavallee elected to complete her secondary schooling and take another run at the Miss Universe Canada title when she was better prepared.

In July Lavallee felt she was ready and began the initial process for qualifying for the 2010 Miss Universe Canada which will be held in Toronto June 4.

She passed the initial interview in Calgary and then over the next several months she endured rigorous training which included all of the pageant basics such as choreography, modeling and interviews. Each month more hopefuls fell by the wayside as they could not keep pace with the commitment needed to compete for Miss Universe Canada.

Finally, on Dec. 2 the last interview was held and those young women who would represent Alberta in Toronto were going to be selected.

“It was the most nervewracking day of my life,” said Lavallee of the final interview. “I had to wait three days to find out and every bad scenario went through my mind. I was laughing, crying, I was going through all the emotions.”

When she received her callback and was informed she would indeed be chasing her childhood dream in Toronto the entire family celebrated.

“Even my sister was crying because she knew how antsy I was,” said Lavallee with a laugh. “My stepdad is American so he is really excited and my mom has been right there with me.

“I am really excited and every day it becomes more real. It is so exciting for anyone from a small town to do something this big.”

Although she has qualified for the 2010 Miss Universe Canada pageant the work is not over for Lavallee.

Lavallee will be competing in Miss Calgary 2010 as a warm up to the Miss Universe Canada pageant.

She also continues to work with various coaches to learn the tricks of the pageant trade and she is working with a personal trainer in Okotoks to get in tip top shape.

“If it jiggles it needs to be toned,” said Lavallee. “(Trainer) Andrew Gustafson is training me and he is kicking my butt.”

While she works to get her mind and body finely tuned, Lavallee is also busy rounding up sponsors to help her pay for her run at Miss Universe Canada. She is raising funds to help offset the cost of flights, dresses and various fees. Anyone interested in helping Lavallee can email her at kristina.lavallee@hotmail.com

For more information on Miss Universe Canada see www.beautiesofcanada.com

The winner of the Miss Universe Canada will go on to compete in Miss Universe.

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