This last MTC-W blog assignment challenged me to imagine that I was the Marketing Director for Free The Children. Which picture from their website would I choose to expand into a poster for global distribution?

When I started my search on the Free The Children website, this photo (right side) stood out the most. The expression on those children's faces is very vivid and it left a strong impression on my mind. This photo would be great for a poster because it shows exactly how much Free The Children can improve children's lives, not just materialistically, but on an emotional level as well. The improvement in their clothing is not the only thing that makes them look out of place in that location, but their smiles as well add a lot of brightness to this moving photo. The contrast between the three children in the centre and the children in the background is drastic and it emphasizes how much poverty some countries like Kenya and Ecuador can contain.

The change Free The Children makes in our world cannot be described by words entirely. Only the futures of these children are able to express the importance of this organization. I am so glad that I had the amazing opportunity to contribute to this cause through Miss Teen Canada-World. It is something that will remain a part of my soul forever.

This year there is an amazing opportunity for you to be a part of the MTC-W audience at the John Basset Theatre in Toronto. The show will take place on July 25th at 8:00pm. Come and enjoy a spectacular pageant night with 57 of the most beautiful girls in Canada.

Buy your ticket here!

A couple days ago something very exciting happened for the first time in my life. My first TV show interview!:D Yes, I know I sound almost too enthusiastic, but it actually was very exciting. I've never been afraid of being the center of attention, which is why I probably sent an application for Miss Teen Canada-World in the first place.

On the morning of July 11th I got in my car and drove to New Westminster, the city where the interview was going to take place. The night before I was struggling with a very serious problem: What to wear? That is always a very importantmatter to me, but somehow the importance of my appearance was not doubled, but tripled on that day. Eventually,after more than 2 hours of debating, I picked the perfect business-like but also very chic outfit. I was going to wear my competition evening gown as well because I wanted some diversity and also because the image of a beauty queen wouldn't be quite complete without those extra sparkles on the dress.

We filmed in two locations. One of them was a very beautiful park with roses. I talked about my life before I moved to Canada and also the process of accomodation I went through as a newcomer. Then I talked about what motivates and inspires me in life and especially about what determines me to want to...no...DESIRE to become Miss Teen Canada-World. I made public the fact that in order for me to be in top 20 I need as many votes as I can possibly get.

You can watch the TV show on July 18th from 1:00 pm or July 19th from 10:00pm! It is called RompostTV and it will be televised on OMNI BC (Channel 8). This TV show is directed to a Romanian audience and that's why part of the interview is in Romanian. But I will also be talking in English and I'm sure at least that part won't sound like some alien language:)

This second assignment is written by Anissa Cheyne. The assignment requires each contestant to create a travel brochure about the town or city they live in, and then exchange it with another contestant.

My name is Annissa Cheyne, the current Miss Teen Southern-Saskatchewan 2009. I’ve grown up in a little town in the prairies all my life and couldn’t imagine it any differently. We don’t receive many radio station signals, stores aren’t open Sundays and when you leave town you’ll find that your cell service magically disappears. The worst part would be the shopping. Only about once or twice a month we go on a highly anticipated trip to Regina to shop but I can make it worth it. ;)

My hometown of Kipling is nestled in the southeast corner of Saskatchewan, located in the heart of nowhere, an hour and a half from any city. It is home to approximately 1000 citizens and is celebrating its Centennial Birthday this summer. It was formerly known as “Kipling Station” in the early 1900’s because it was a divisional point on the Canadian National Railway Line. Kipling was named after the famous poet and author Rudyard Kipling, whom never even actually paid a visit to the town itself. The only time he actually went through the area was by train, on route to Winnipeg for his honeymoon in 1892.

Important Industries

Livestock industries nearby include several large hog operations resulting in making Kipling the headquarters for one of the world’s leading companies conducting research on swine genetics. Farming is a major form of income for many residents, as well as jobs from the oil fields nearby.

Attractions, Etc.

Simple things such as schools may sound like modern day necessities but are uncommon for other towns for miles around this area. Towns across the province are facing school closures due to low enrolment numbers which make for devastating losses to the community. Students are given no choice but to get bussed to Kipling School from the towns Kennedy, Langbank, Glenavon, Windthorst, and Corning; in some cases boarding their school bus two hours before the bell rings. With approximately 300 students from kindergarten to grade 12, we are the largest school around!

There’s nowhere to buy clothing and there are no famous fast food restaurants, but we are lucky to have the Chinese café, the old Kipling Motor Inn which is also a tiny hotel, the Substation and the Den. These are all family owned businesses that keep our town going and have great food. The Substation, which is a sandwich shop, was once the train station. It is still in its original position, located on the north side of town right beside the railroad tracks.

The Kipling Memorial Hospital was built in the 1950’s and barely standing. Currently we can proudly boast that we have 2 doctors which is a rare occurrence. It’s a 14 bed facility, which no longer delivers babies but can still take your x-rays! The building is nearing its end but it’s still a really neat building to visit, and has the only elevator in town!

Historical Properties

One of Canada’s largest Hungarian settlements, the Bekevar district, is 10 miles out of Kipling, with its central point being the beautiful Bekevar church. Its architectural designs were inspired by churches back in Hungary. It was constructed in 1911-12 and still stands. Some claim at night you see ghosts floating around the cemetery beside it, around the church and across the roads sometimes screaming or mumbling words. My friends and I like to go out here at night and spook each other for fun, if you’re in for a scare that is! We never get too close or too brave; it’s a beautiful old building that many couples still chose as their wedding site.

Another heritage site includes the former CN station, built in 1908. It can be seen at the Kipling and District Historical Society Museum. In addition to other very interesting pioneer-era buildings such as a school, houses, gas stations and old farm machinery!

Making Headlines

Kyle MacDonald can be known for his successful string of trades that all began with his one red paperclip. On July 12^th, 2006, Kyle traded a final time for a house on 503 Main Street, along with negotiating the deal for a role in a film by famous director Corbin Bernsen. The movie was produced in Kipling and open auditions for the roles resulted in local talent as the main stars! The script for “Rust” was specifically designed for Kipling and its people. Filming began in February of 2009 and the anticipated hit film is set to be released around Christmas of this year.

If ever visiting, don’t forget to stop at the famous paperclip house and world’s largest red paperclip! Follow the signs down Main Street and see the little old red and white house where it all began here. You’ll know you’re there when you see a red paperclip on the lawn. For the giant paperclip, follow the signs and just keep your eyes open! Behind a flower bed and encircled in gorgeous trees of Bell Park, the red paperclip stands tall. It’s a popular backdrop for photos of kids having fun and hanging off it while with friends, as well as for graduation and wedding photos. Don’t forget your camera!

Our World Record

Kipling is home to a paperclip that:

Is 15 feet by 2 inches long,
39 inches wide,
Constructed of 5 inch diameter made of solid steel,
Weighs just shy of 4000 pounds,

And holds paper! (And people who climb on it)

As I mentioned in an earlier post, on Canada Day I held a fundraiser for Free The Children in the form of a raffle. I was suprised by the large number of people who wanted to help me fundraise for this cause.

The draw took place right after the event was over. At 5 pm on July 1st I drew three tickets out of a box and the names of the winners was revealed. The third prize was a digital keychain. The second and first prizes were two video mp3 players.

What was really fun and a great experience was the moment when I actually met the winners. Before I arrived at the Seven Oaks Mall (that's where I told the winners to meet me) I was trying to imagine the way they look and how old they are. I took pictures with them and it was fun to chat a little. I also made sure that they'll vote for me:)

This post might sound a little strange, but I think it is something interesting. While I was fundraising for Free The Children on Canada Day, I had the pleasure to meet Katie Soltis. She came up to me and introduced herself as Miss Teen Canada International 2004:D It was so nice to meet someone with similar experience and interests, in such an unexpected moment. I also found out that before the title of Miss Teen Canada International she held the title of Miss Teen Fraser Valley International! How cool is that! I had the opportunity to chat with her and receive some tips from someone who went through the same experience I am going through right now. She also had to travel to Toronto for the pageant and said it was an amazing experience. Although many other people encouraged and congratulated me before, her words seemed to have more power and gave me some confidence.

Maybe history will repeat itself!

Canada Day proved to be not only an opportunity to appear in the parade, but also another chance to fundraise for Free The Children. Even though I had already raised the required $400, I wanted to exceed my efforts by planning one more event. A raffle seemed like a great idea for a fundraiser on Canada Day because I knew a lot of people will be participating at the Family Festival.

I had to book a spot for my booth a month in advance. Fortunately, this did not cost me anything, however I wanted to make my reign more public so I designed a huge banner for my booth, which took a little time and money. It had the words: "Vote for Miss Teen Fraser Valley-World Floriana Costea at www.missteencanadaworld.com" printed on it. I also wanted to tie the banner to my event, so I incorporated the Free The Children logo on it. Everything looked just great!

The raffle tickets were $2 and there were 3 prizes that the participants could win: 2 video mp3 players, and a digital keychain. Everybody that I had the chance to meet during the 4 hours I spent on that field at the Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford expressed their support for me and for Free The Children through generous donations. All the girls wanted to take pictures with "the princess", as they called me, and some of them even asked me for information about the pageant, so they could apply for it in the following years.

I have to admit I cheated a little;) Because I was not allowed to throw candy during the parade, I placed a bowl of candy on the table during the raffle. Children were immediately drawn to my booth and were begging their parents to buy a ticket. I also had hundreds of business cards which I handed out to everyone. I am sure that this way I left an impression on many people, and hopefully they won't forget to vote for me.

I was very pleased with the result of the raffle and I proudly declare it a successful event. At the end of the day I was tired, but still happy, knowing that my efforts will be repayed with maybe a smile on the face of a hungry child.