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L Page A10 ♦ THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ August 9,2006 durhamregIon.com Submitted photo Paige Clark is gearing up to compete in the Miss Teen Canada pageant next month being held in Toronto. Serving Durham Region Since 1979 the Miss Teen Canada crown Student says pageants build confidence BY JILL1AN FOLLERT Staff Writer OSHAWA - Forget twirling and sashaying. These days, pageant contestants need brains as much as beauty. Just ask 14-year-old Paige Clark. The Oshawa resident is gearing up to compete in the Miss Teen Canada pageant next month - and is spending more time writing speeches and researching charities, than picking out gowns. "It's a lot of hard work," she said this week, after meeting with Mayor John Gray. "It's about more than being pretty." Paige was chosen to compete compete in the pageant after an audition last fall, that included walks, random questions and "public speaking. Since then, she was crowned Miss Teen GTA at a regional competition held in Toronto in March. To win that crown, she had to research, a charity and make a platform speech raising raising awareness of its mandate, compete in a talent portion, and do walks in various outfits including a bathing suit and evening gown. The Miss Teen Canada pageant will include similar segments. Paige is planning to perform a cabaret dance routine from the musical Chicago for her talent portion and will speak about the Canadian Diabetes Association for her speech, as she did in the GTA pageant. "I chose it because my grandmother grandmother has diabetes, so it's important to me," she said. The Miss Teen Canada pageant pageant takes place Aug. 14 to 21 in Toronto and will feature contestants between the ages of 13 and 17, from across the country. The teen pageant is one of several produced by Miss Canada Globe Productions and aims to help women become role models, give back to their communities, promote chari-'. ties and help those in need. . The winner goes on to compete in next year's Miss World pageant in Trinidad and Tobago and also takes home a scholarship towards her postsecondary postsecondary education. Whether she wins or loses, Paige still holds the title of Miss GTA for the next year and is looking forward to making appearances and promoting promoting her charity of choice. But she is crossing her Fingers to take home the Miss Canada . crown. "I'd like to win, but I'm not . really nervous. I'm kind of used to pageants now," she said. "They're great because you learn a lot, you gain confidence and you make new friends." When she's not in pageant preparation mode, Paige plans to spend her summer modelling modelling ~ it was her modelling agent who suggested she try pageants - dancing and hanging hanging out with friends. She is also looking forward to starting Grade 9 at Monsignor Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School in the fall. . & Family Summer Fun In ^ The Conservation Areas During the month of August, Central Lake Ontario will be hosting various FREE events in the conservation areas. • Below are the events for the week of Aug. 13. 'Tues., Aug. 15 A Whole New World (Pond Exploration) 6:30 pm - Enniskillen Wed., Aug 16 Hiking The Oak Ridges Moraine Trail 8:00 pm - Purple Woods C.A. Thurs., Aug. 17 Bugmania 10 am & 1 pm (Registration Req'd) Heber Down C.A. For more information call the Authority Event Line at (905) 579-0411, opt. 3 or visit www.cloca.com. All events are weather permitting. % Central Lake Ontario Conservation Photography done in the comfort of your own home or local park Your neighbourhood photographer for over 20 years •Weddings • Children • Families • Babies • Pets • Groups Session and 8x10 portrait $49 905-576-9526 www.magicportraits.net 695 Townline Road North Courlicc i * yarn m mmmom Ml mu MOM STEMS 'Sr. '■Us,. 8ɧ1 «7 i Ste Sill ... j-.'.j ^ saes BSe mmsmm A;-»*:'"/: i T i m mil WWMIWBBQ) WNEYGMLia 13! tn lÊjtWr- iM&SmÆÈÊÈ nu, Turhev Breasts » jffl HaldMliM Serving Durham Region with 4 Locations Including... SOUTH OSHAWA NORTH OSHAWA EAST OSHAWA & COORTICE WHITBY 915 Nelson Street Taunton Square 1300 KING ST. EASLm%1916 Dundas St, East (Wentworthonotiloch onstoiRltionl ; llaimtan/|IIMqni iKInaawnvVjllaooShonnlnaOontrol IN/E Cornerai OnrrordaDundaii WifllkW! Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6:30 Sal. 8-5:00 CLOSED SUNDAY h/iacSIi] [iprard.p Mon.-IO-G Tues, a Wed. 9-0 Mon-Wed. 9-7, Thurs & Frl. 9- ThurB.&Frl.8-7« 8, Sat. 8-6, Sun. 10-5 Sat. 8-6, Sun. 10-5 mm u PliDili HTi Tubs, a Wed. 9-6, Thurs. 8-7, Frl. 8-7, Sat. 7-6, Sun. 10-5 Questions or Comments email us at tialendasmeatsirotiers.com or Visit www.lialendasmeats.com. Sales elective until closing Sunday Aug. 13tti 2006.