The Miss Teen Canada International Pageant encourages each young woman between the ages of 13 - 17 to be the best she can be each and every day. Make her life the adventure it deserves to be. Discover her passion, her desire, by creating lasting change. And what she is capable of to bringing joy for herself and others. She must create momentum, quality of life, fulfillment and balance of life. Find the fiber of whom she is. Be happy and driven by energy. Have personal growth, be fulfilled not just successful.

Being Miss Teen Canada International will have an impact on her life and give her a sense of contribution. We want her to discover that the little things in life mean everything. Taking time to sit and listen to an elderly person and learn their wisdom. Giving a hug or smile to a person whom is ill. Watching a small child's eyes light up as she kneels to speak with him/her. Presenting a disabled person with a ribbon. Spending time with a lonely person because they need you to. Just lending a helping hand, an incredible source of inspiration. The desire to give something back, give time to others, show you care. Helping to change the world, making a difference by taking care of each other. That's what we are all about.

Gina Smith Scholarship Award

The Gina Smith Inspiration Scholarship Award was founded in 2001 in the memory of Gina Smith Miss Teen Nova Scotia 2000, a 16 year old from Dartmouth Nova Scotia, who's life was taken in December 2001 by cancer.

Gina's name will be a permanent part of Miss Teen Canada International in which she took part in the July 2000 event in Toronto.

Gina who was in remission from painful bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma when she graced the pageant stage, suffered a serious setback upon returning home after the national event. Gina's story inspired many long before she attended the national event. Even though she had already been through weeks of radiation, hair loss and an operation to replace her left hip and pelvic bone, Gina said it was her dream to take part in Miss Teen Canada International win or lose. Gina had to relearn how to walk after her surgery. Gina was overwhelmed by the kindness and support she received from the people of Nova Scotia as she represented them nationally. The teenager who volunteered at the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax, was an inspiration to all young people suffering from cancer.

Upon returning home, Gina called the founder of Miss Teen Canada International Sylvia Stark and informed her, cancer had returned and she did not have a long time. She said it was her dream to take part in Miss Teen Canada International and Sylvia helped make that dream come true. Gina asked Sylvia to come and see her in Halifax, to help her donate her sash and crown etc. of being Miss Teen Canada International to the IWK Children's Hospital, where she spent so much of her time making other young people smile, while she was suffering herself. At this time Sylvia was very touched by Gina and her caring for others at this difficult time in her life, she decided to name a scholarship in her name forever with the national event. Gina was taken from us three days after Sylvia visited her in her home.

Gina donated her sash and memorabilia from the event to the IWK Hospital, so she could be an inspiration to other children suffering long after she is gone.

Her courage still inspires others, she was given an award of courage by the other delegates on stage while at the Miss Teen Canada International event.