Amanda Calaminici wants you to know she's more than just a pretty face.
True, the Richmond Hill teen is a beauty contest winner, and she has the kind of smile that lights up a room.
But Miss Calaminici says she, and the 15 other winners of Miss Teen Canada-World Ontario Pageant, have much more to offer than just good looks.
"Sure there's a glamourous side to it," she says of her recent crowning as Miss Teen Canada - York Region. "But there's more to it than that. All the girls are honour students, or university students, and they're talented in so many aspects."
Winning a berth amongst this talented group was a shock, the 17-year-old says. On Dec. 7, when her name was called from among 41 other teens from across Ontario, "I just froze. As much as you want to win, you really don't expect it ... I never thought that I'd get this far."
Her friends are equally excited.
"They all think it's as big as Miss America. It's not; it's a small show, really. But they're all so supportive of me."
This is just the second year for the fledgling Canadian show. The provincial competition, a Winter Carnival-themed pageant showcasing the achievements and beauty of Ontario teens aged 13 to 19, was held at the St. Lawrence Centre for Performing Arts in Toronto.
Contestants were judged in swimwear, evening gown and personal interview competitions, and performed a choreographed dance routine.
The top 16 finalists, who hail from a variety of locales including Peel, Durham and Niagara, along with York Region's Miss Calaminici, move on to represent their regions of Ontario at the Miss Teen Canada-World National Pageant this summer.
"The girls are all so nice. It's rare that you'd get 42 sweet girls all in a room together, but they were all really nice."
The contest is new to Canada, she says.
"Pageants are much bigger in the states, for some reason. They're much smaller here. And in the U.S. they ask more political questions. We just don't do that here."
The provincial contest involved a whirlwind of workshops teaching the girls how to make speeches, give interviews and walk on stage. As well, Miss Calaminici said, "everyone went to the tanning salon and had their nails done, and we had to learn the choreography."
The choreography was the easy part, she says, given that she's been involved in dance since she was three years old. "Although it was a little awkward, getting up on stage in a bathing suit," she laughs.
For Miss Calaminici, the most nerve-wracking part of the competition involved preparing for the personal interviews by judges - answering questions about time management and parental support. "They're not trying to stump you, but sometimes you freeze up."
The judges were looking for well-spoken, intelligent and friendly personalities, she said.
Her first duty, as Miss Teen Canada - York Region, was to take part in the opening ceremonies this weekend at Richmond Hill's Winter Carnival.
Miss Calaminici is a Grade 12 Arts York student, studying dance at Unionville High School. She works part time coaching gymnastics at the Academy of Sport and Fitness, is a member of the Ovation Performing Arts Academy in Richmond Hill, and was a competitive dancer for seven years at Dansecore in Richmond Hill.
"I always loved watching pageants."
She remembers enjoying the contestants' display of talents "and they were all so beautiful, and especially with Miss America, they were intelligent women too. These aren't just models. They're really talented and have intelligence."
Miss Calaminici is looking forward to the Canada-wide pageant set for July, when she will spend a week touring with the 50 contestants, and will compete for prizes in the talent segment. She is preparing a pointe solo called 'Sleeping Beauty'. Cash and prices totaling $25,000 will be awarded.
The winner will represent Canada at the largest international teen pageant - Miss Teen World.
The national contest doesn't come cheap. It will cost Miss Calaminici $2,000 to enter. She has been in contact with the Town of Richmond Hill and various local services she frequents - tanning and hair salons, manicurists and dentist - hoping to find sponsorship.
"It's not a charity, so it's difficult, especially in a recession. But anything would help."
Her long-term plans include university, and possibly more beauty pageants.
Will it help her in her career? She laughs.
"Well, it won't help me get a job, but maybe it will help me in interviews, and getting self confidence being on stage, and learning how to dress properly and speak properly.
"I guess it's a chance to see what I can do in my community, to get involved."
Anyone inquiring about sponsoring her should contact mcalaminici@live.ca. Those who wish to can vote for the People's Choice Award at www.missteencanadaworld.com.
VietNamNet Bridge – Elite Vietnam has refused to repurchase the copyright to send Vietnamese candidates to the Miss World, Miss Universe 2009 pageants. This means that Vietnam may miss the two big beauty contests this year. 