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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, July 23, 2015 | 36 Corporate lawyer eyes `Mrs.' title to promote charity by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" O akville's Jennifer Mercanti is hoping to take her message of educating and empowering children worldwide in eyeing the Mrs. International title in Jacksonville, Fla., Friday (July 24). "As a result of not being able to have my own biological children, I want to take my message... globally to promote health, education and wellness in children," said the 39-year-old corporate attorney and certified professional coach, who makes her home in Oakville with her husband Chad. Mercanti was selected as Mrs. Canada International in September 2014, and became eligible to compete against 70 other women from around the world for the title of Mrs. International. To be eligible for the competition, women have to be between the ages of 21-56, been married at least six months and a resident of the U.S. or a citizen of the country she represents. Each contestant competes in an interview, evening gown and fitness wear component of the competition and must select a platform they would spend the year promoting. Platform-based competition "The International system is primarily a platform-based competition, as opposed to some of the other pageants, which are more based on beauty -- this one is focused on your platform and what you're planning on doing throughout the year if you were to become Mrs. International," explained Mercanti. "(It's meant to) showcase and promote their (women's) accomplishments and charity work." Mercanti found out about the Mrs. International competition through a friend who encouraged her to sign up and nominated her. "When I researched more about it, I realized it did fit my values and my mission, my purpose in life and I thought being connected with them and being a part of this would be an amazing experience for me," she said. Charity of Hope Mercanti is a director and co-chair of the Charity of Hope, a Canadian charity started by her family in 1999 that has raised more than $1 million for children and families in financial need. The local lawyer has also set up two scholarships in her name at the University of Windsor and Western University for youths who need financial assistance with tuition. This all forms part of her competition platform -- in addition to promotion of the non-profit organization Free the Children. Mercanti also recently was named a member of the board of directors for the Girl Guides of Canada -- a three-year commitment. Correlation between education and success "I believe there is a direct correlation between education and success in life for children," Mercanti said. "So, if we can empower more children and provide more children with educational tools, we'll be increasing their chance at success in life and promoting them in society as well." While somewhat nervous of the upcoming competition, Mercanti said she is also very excited, especially to represent Canada. "I'm very proud of my country and very excited to have the opportunity to meet with 70 other women and to be able to showcase some of my accomplishments and promote my platform," she said. "I'm most looking forward to meeting with the other women from all over the world. Part of being Mrs. International is having this international component to you and I was raised by parents who were born in Italy, my mother's family was born in Germany and the Ukraine, so I've always had ties to Europe," Mercanti continued. "I just think it will be amazing to meet with and share stories with all these other women." The International competition features a full week of events, including orientation, meet-and-greets and a gala for Go Red For Women, an American Heart Association awareness campaign for heart disease. As part of the contest, Mercanti's fans can vote for her for the People's Choice award online (http://goo.gl/f6rOm1) for $2, proceeds of which go to the Go Red For Women campaign. It will also help her get into the Top 15, she said, which then gets narrowed down to the Top 10. The winner who is crowned Mrs. International will receive beauty and hair supplies for the year and will get the chance to travel around the world promoting her platform. "I'm really excited about (getting the chance to do) that," said Mercanti. "The Charity of Hope, being a Canadian charity... I would love to be able to take it global and to promote it around the world. And I love to travel, so I think it would be amazing to go back to Italy and Germany, and other places around the world to promote my platform." Jennifer Mercanti | submitted photo BIG MOVIES, SMALL PRICES! 171 Speers Road (at Kerr) Oakville 905-338-6397 www.film.ca facebook.com/filmca @FilmCaCinemas General: $8.50 Children ( 3-13): $6.50 TerminaTor July 1 minions July 10 anT man July 17 VaCaTion July 29 mission impossible mpossible July 31 seniors ( 65+): $6.50 Tuesdays: $5.00