World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Abigail Birn Miss Teen Canadian International 2019/2020.
Full name: Abigail Birn
Title/Year: Miss Teen Canadian International 2019/2020
Pageant System: Miss Canada Globe Productions
Age: 16
Zodiac sign: Taurus
Hobbies: Traveling, dancing, especially ballet, modeling, volunteering and spending time with family and friends
Platform: Advocating for services and programs for children with special needs and supports for their families as every child deserves to strive towards their full potential.
Years competed: Only started entering pageants in September 2018
Countries visited: Australia, Bahamas, Mexico, various locations in USA
Likes: Dancing, traveling, warm tropical destinations, Spanish studies, fashion and spending time with my supportive family and friends in our community
Dislikes: Snakes, birds (yes, it's a real fear), peppers and fake people.
Status: In a relationship with my long term boyfriend
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I'm a 16 year old grade 11 honours student attending High School in Alberta. I enjoy studying different cultures, psychology and performing arts. Upon graduation I would like to pursue a career in education focusing on performing arts and psychology. I've had the extreme privilege of spending several summers studying dance and performing arts at the American Music and Drama Academy in New York City and absolutely loved the experience. This year I'll be expanding my travels to not only New Dehli, India for the Miss Teen International pageant but also to Spain in the Spring for three months, staying with a local family, attending school and being immersed in the language and culture. As the eldest of four children in my family, I strive to be the best role model for not only my younger siblings but also all other children and encourage them to have the confidence to be genuine and express themselves in their own unique ways.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
To me women empowerment means being kind and encouraging to all humans but especially women and supporting each other to have the courage to be ourselves and speak up about your our own personal beliefs and goals no matter what others may say.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
My pageantry history only actually started in September, 2018, with a small local pageant. After enjoying the company of other girls with similar goals and feeling accomplished at my first pageant I went on to compete in Calgary, Alberta in May, 2019 at the Miss Teen Calgary pageant and was awarded the title and crown for Miss Jr. Teen Northern Alberta 2019. In August 2019, I traveled to Toronto, Ontario to compete in the Miss Canada Globe pageant with some of the most amazing young ladies from across the whole country. The experience was beyond my expectations as I learned so my much about the pageantry world from many knowledgeable delegates who had several years of experience. They all made me feel welcomed and we quickly became close friends. At this pageant I was awarded the regional title and crown for Miss Teen Prairies Region Globe 2019 and then the national title and crown for Miss Teen Canadian International 2019/2020.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
I was actually working with many different photographers in the area for magazine shoots and portfolio shoots at the time and one of the photographers happened to suggest I try competing in pageants. Since I have always loved performing in front of an audience and I enjoy public speaking, encouraging others and meeting new people, I thought it may be a whole new fun experience and it really was.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
When I decided to compete in the Miss Canada Globe pageant I had no intentions of coming home with a national title. Sure I was hopeful and I planned to do my very best in all areas, however, I never imagined being crowned Miss Teen Canadian International. I was attending for the experience of traveling to another part of Canada, meeting new people and challenging myself. I wanted to show the children of my community that even a small town girl from Central Alberta could follow a dream and with the support of family and friends can achieve any goals they set their mind to, no matter how crazy they seem.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
Miss Canada Globe Productions is a system that is focused on encouraging young women and girls to support each other to find their own style and strengths in which to celebrate and share with others. It's about finding what is important to you and sharing that passion and confidence with others.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
During the Miss Canada Globe pageant the delegates were being judged in categories which included our platform statements or local causes, interview questions, people's choice votes, runway modeling, talent, swimsuit, evening gown and also our conduct with others during the 10 days of the pageant. It's not just about outer beauty, it's also about our passions, interests and how we promote ourselves and encourage others.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
The 10 days of competition were sometimes long and tiring as we worked hard on rehearsals, interviews, social media presentations, fundraising and fashion galas as well touring the city and getting to know all the delegates. Each experience along the way was informative, challenging and an opportunity of a life time. It was emotional and definitely character building. You learn a great deal about yourself during the process leading up to the competition and then you give it all you've got on stage. If you can say to yourself that you were genuine and you put your heart into it with integrity, then everyone can walk off the stage knowing they are a winner and that's what really matters.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
The Aspire Special Needs Clinic in Red Deer, Alberta is a program that supports children with special needs and their families in the community with professional assessments, treatments, activity program and support groups. I enjoy volunteering my time with the children and at fundraising events for this invaluable program to bring awareness to others that all children deserve the opportunity to build their courage, confidence and skills to reach their greatest potential in life and follow their goals and dreams no matter what struggles they may face along the way.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
I have had the privilege of attending various community event such as talent shows, competitions, parades, fundraising events including barbecues and I have judged several local pageants and have been able to inspire other young girls to do what they love.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
My achievements in life really varies from titles and crowns that I have been awarded, as previously mentioned, to honour roll acknowledgements at school, various subject awards, and scholarships for dance at the American Music and Drama Academy in New York City. However, I think my greatest achievements have included establishing myself and knowing who I genuinely am, while having the confidence to continue to be myself even when struggles in life arise. I've learned to accept myself which in turn allows me to accept all others without judgement. I celebrate my differences and I have learned not to compare myself with others because no one is like me and that's the best part.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
All the girls I have had the pleasure to meet through pageantry have been beautiful inside and out. They have all had special strengths and something unique about them. As for myself, my personal strengths are my genuine, positive attitude towards life and all challenges. I see any opportunity as an experience learned regardless of the outcome. I am never defeated by unplanned or disappointing situations as I try to find the lesson and move forward with a smile. I then love to share my experiences with others in hopes that they may then take something from it. I'm honest with myself and others. I'm genuine, kind and respect everyone and everything around me for what they are and what they have to contribute to this world.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
Since I had no expectations of winning a title and was just excited for the opportunity to compete, I was really quite shocked and emotional. I believe my first reaction was turning to my fellow delegates and new friends, with a huge smile and saying in disbelief, "what just happened"? After the tears and the shock set in, I thought to myself, I really did work hard and put my very best on the stage and I was proud of what I was able to achieve just by being myself.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
To me it means that I accepted a new challenge, worked towards a new goal and was awarded for my determination, my confidence and for who I am. Now I want to be able to share with others that whatever dreams and goals you may have, anything is possible with the right attitude, work ethic, passion and support from loved ones. I want to encourage other children to dream big and have fun meeting new challenges.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
Competing in pageants has improved many skills in life including confidence to be myself, self-esteem, social skills in meeting new people and engaging with different personality types, courage to take on challenges and the ability to travel to different places in Canada and now the world.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your self esteem and body image?
I already had a great deal of confidence and a healthy self esteem around my body image. I'm not a tiny person and I do have curves. Pageants have taught me that you can be beautiful no matter what size you are and it's more about physical looks and the confidence you bring to the stage. Beauty comes from within so if you are comfortable with yourself you will shine on stage.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
I do feel like an inspiration to others, especially girls who may struggle with confidence, self esteem and body image. It feels great to be able to show society that beauty is about feeling good about yourself, not about fitting into a societal norm of what beauty should be. Young girls need to understand that beauty takes on many forms and confidence is key. I want to inspire young women to believe that about themselves. With the right attitude, anyone can be a beauty queen.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
I don't have a strategy at all. I present my genuine, real self. I don't try to be like someone else, I simply show that I am confident, proud and that I'm just having a lot of fun and loving the experience. The judges want to see personality and I have a lot of that.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
I prepare by doing a lot of self reflection and I find outfits that represent who I am and what I feel I look great in. If I am happy with how I look then it shows in my smile and confident walks. I think about what I want to tell the judges about myself, my passions and how I truly feel about societal issues. If you understand who you are then the rest comes easy and natural.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
If it feels comfortable then you probably aren't doing it right. Again it's about standing tall, strong and confident. Show them your personality and strut yourself, you deserve it.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
Choose something that you feel you look amazing in. If you don't love it then that will show. Decide what style reflects your personality. Don't try to be someone else.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
Spend a lot of quiet time beforehand doing some self reflections and ask yourself what your beliefs and feelings are. Then be genuine. If you try to find the "perfect" answer that may not be how you really feel then it will show. I like to look at issues from both sides and present all viewpoints but then give reasons as to why I chose my position. Keep it simple, informative but concise.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
During my National competition finals for Miss Teen Canada, I was ready to walk on stage for my final evening gown presentation and the announcer said another delegates name and the wrong photo was displayed on the screen as we were lined up in the wrong order. I was worried that the judges would be confused and scores would not be accurate but I simply continued walking confidently and did not let on that I was worried while they corrected the mistake and announced my correct name. It really wasn't my mistake but it did shake me up.
World Class Beauty Queens:What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
During my pageants I have witnessed contestants trip on their dresses, struggle to walk in their shoes or blank out during interview questions, which can all happen when the nerves kick in. The best thing to do when mistakes occur, is to carry on confidently and sometimes the audience or judges won't even notice.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
I have had the honour of working with many talented photographers in Central Alberta and have been featured in four different magazine publications since starting modeling in September 2018. I have attended the American Music and Drama Academy in New York for three consecutive summer intensive programs and love the dance, live stage acting and musical theatre skills they teach, which has allowed me to do acting in various promotional videos.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2020 as a Queen?
In December this year I will be traveling to New Dehli, India to represent Canada and compete in the Miss Teen International Pageant. In the new year I plan visit schools in my community delivering talks about confidence, self esteem, kindness, courage and all the elements of a winning personality in life. I believe children need to hear that anyone can make goals and dreams for themselves and succeed with the right attitude.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I want children and families from my community to know that even a small town girl from Central Alberta can achieve huge international goals with the right attitude and the love and support of family and friends. So anyone can follow their dreams and succeed. Just believe in yourself!
National Director: Mias Santa Ana Pilar
Your Local Director: Lisa Harrigan Joseph
Pageant website: Miss Canada Globe Productions - www.misscanada.tv World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview.
Abigail Birn Miss Teen Canadian International 2019/2020, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Jennifer George Photography
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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