A North Vancouver high schooler is vying for the Miss Teen BC crown.
Tamara Akpo, a Grade 11 student at Argyle secondary, is among 55 contestants from across the province who will compete for the titles of Miss BC, Mrs. BC and Miss Teen BC over the Canada Day long weekend.
This is the first time the 16-year-old has participated in a pageant, though she’s watched them on TV.
“I did some research on pageants and found Miss Teen BC and thought it would be cool to join,” she says.
Akpo is being sponsored in her bid for the crown by Pro Nursing Homecare Support. She and the 17 other contestants in the teen division will be evaluated in four categories: personal expression in sportswear; personal expression in an evening gown; a private interview with the judging panel; and a public onstage interview in the final showcase, which takes place July 3 at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort Langley.
Contestants are also encouraged to raise money for the Miss BC program’s charity of choice, Cops for Cancer. To date, the pageant has raised more than $259,000 for the cause.
Leading up to the final show and crowning event, Akpo and her fellow hopefuls will receive training in modelling, interviewing, manners and etiquette, self-defence, choreography and self-esteem and assertiveness.
Miss BC is not a “beauty” pageant, according to its website. Rather, the mission of the program is to recognize young women for their personal accomplishments and community involvement. It seeks to help contestants achieve their goals through workshops and seminars that help enhance self-esteem and personal development. And unlike many other pageants, there is no maximum age limit to enter and there aren’t any height or weight restrictions.
In her spare time, Akpo works as a background performer in film and TV and is a member of Argyle’s basketball and cheerleading teams. She also enjoys working out at the gym and cooking.
“I like being involved with the community and helping people,” she says, noting she volunteers with kids at her church and hopes to also do some volunteer work at Lions Gate Hospital.
If she wins the Miss Teen BC title, she could go on to compete in a national pageant and eventually represent Canada on the world stage.
In addition to the big three titleholders – Miss BC, Mrs. BC and Miss Teen BC – there will also be winners announced in regional categories such as Miss Lower Mainland and Miss Vancouver Island, among others. Meanwhile, the public is invited to vote for their favourite contestant for the People’s Choice Award at missbc.ca until June 29.
The various Miss BC titleholders attend community events, represent charities and act as role models for other young people.
The final pageant will be broadcast on Shaw TV.
