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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, August 12, 2010 · 8 Physics student is bucking her own trend By Christina Commisso METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Samantha Buck wouldn't describe herself as a pageant queen. In fact, when her mom encouraged her to take dance classes as a child, Buck refused. Instead, she wanted to spend all her time riding horses. But after winning the title of Miss Halton Petite, Buck is facing a problem -- she can't bring a horse with her on stage when she competes in Miss Canada Petite, a national beauty pageant for young women who are 5foot-6 or shorter. "This is all new to me, it's the first pageant I've even done," explained Buck, who said she's "pushing 5-foot-2 and a half." The Campbellville resident was contacted by a representative of Miss Canada Globe Productions over Facebook and asked if she'd be interested in entering the southern Ontario leg of the competition. Buck sent in a photo and information about herself to the organization and later joined 80 young women from across southern Ontario in the interview portion of the competition. "They asked me questions about who I am, what I'm about and where do I want to be in 10 years." The 18-year-old physics student said she found some of those questions harder to answer than others. "I honestly don't know what I want to do," said Buck, who is entering her second year at the University of Guelph. "I like physics, and I'll see where it takes me." Shortly after the interview, Buck was informed she had taken the Miss Halton Petite title. "I never really was a girly girl, I've always been a farm girl. I liked playing in the dirt," she said, adding that she was very surprised to learn she had won the Halton title. While the majority of her competition will be singing or dancing at the national pageant, Buck said she has a different talent up her sleeve -- public speaking. "Being not so typical makes you who you are. It's helped me build my character. I've been told that I'm a funny person so I'll do a public speaking thing. But as far as stage talent, I've never had one." Along with the talent portion of the competition, Buck will participate in the evening gown, bathing suit, conduct (how she interacts with the other contestants) GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER and interview portions of the pageant. She'll COMPETITOR: Samantha Buck, Miss Halton also be an ambassador for a charity of her choice and speak about the organization Petite is at home on horses, not pageants. during the pageant. The Milton District High School graduate has chosen to represent Milton-based Windrush Stable Therapeutic Riding Centre, a centre that offers horseback riding lessons to children and adults with physical or developmental disabilities. "I've donated a lot of old equipment to (Windrush). What they do is totally close to my heart." Before the week-long competition begins in Toronto Aug. 23, Buck is keeping busy with training sessions and local appearances as Miss Halton Petite. "It's important to make myself known to the public, I want them to know who I am." Buck is also looking for corporate sponsors to help cover some of the costs of the pageant. The entrance fee to the national competition is $3,000 and contestants must also supply two evening dresses, six cocktail dresses, two bathing suits with wraps, a business suit, shoes and makeup. The winner of the national competition will go on to represent Canada in the 2011 Miss Petite International Competition, but in the meantime, Buck is enjoying her reign as Miss Petite Halton. "It's all about experiences in my life, and competing in a national competition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I mean, I'm a girl, I can wear a dress right?" Readers Selection AWARDS Voted by you! Your favourite businesses, services, entertainers, people and more! VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITES NOW! online at www.oakvillereaderschoice.com