Photo by Chris Williams
August 19, 2007 - Reigning Miss Teen
Mississauga Stephanie Varone admitted to being a bundle
of emotions as she stepped onto the stage in Hammerson
Hall last night.Varone was carrying the hopes of her hometown as the Miss Teen Canada International pageant unfolded at the Living Arts Centre.
“I’m excited, nervous and sad,” Varone said prior to the pageant, adding that she thoroughly enjoyed the week-long process of preparing and planning the production, and would be sorry to see it come to an end.
“It was such a wonderful experience and I know that whatever happens tonight, I’ll be so happy to see whoever it is win the crown.
“We’ve all become so close,” she said, talking about her fellow contestants.
Indeed, the 17-year-old St. Joseph’s Secondary School student made her hometown proud with her performance throughout the pageant. She received loud applause when she was formally introduced and was first to congratulate Miss Hamilton — Cassondra Paletta — when she was announced as winner.
This was no ordinary beauty pageant, Varone said, and it certainly isn’t all about good looks.
“It’s not about looks at all,” the Mississauga teen said. “It’s based on personality and what we as young people have to offer. How we can aspire to help other people.”
The criteria for judging included personality, intelligence, interaction with the public and charitable work.
Varone said her charity of choice was the Mississauga Cancer Society, an organization she holds dear because members of her family have suffered from the disease.
The pageant was hosted by Miss Canada 2006 Solange Tuyishime and Miss Canada 2003 Lorenza Sammarelli.