A local beauty queen shone bright on a national stage last week, finishing in the top six of the Miss World Canada Pageant.
Natalie Allin, a woman raised in Jasper, returned last month after her busy week in Toronto.
“Everyone in Jasper is so supportive, whether we are supporting one another in hockey tournaments, biking competitions, school events, skiing or marathons,” says Allin. “I am so happy to have grown up in Jasper, which will always be a part of my heart.”
The pageant saw 57 finalists from across the country compete for the Miss Canada title, so small-town girl Allin says she was “extremely excited to receive a spot in the top six.”
As Allin lives, works and completed her post-secondary education in Kelowna, B.C., resulting in her competing in and then winning the Miss British Columbia World title in March, which qualified her to the Miss Canada pageant.
During the pageant, Allin had a top five finish in the talent portion, as she credits the Jasper Dance Program for “her many years of instruction… and her moves for the talent competition.” She also won top awards for her blog and social media, which were all part of the overall scoring on the final night of competition.
And while Allin didn’t win the pageant, her mom says she didn’t have to win it all to take home the most valuable prize.
“She’s most proud of winning the Miss Beauty With a Purpose award because of her volunteer work and use of her platform with the Look Good Feel Better charity where in workshops, she’s helped women facing the appearance related side effects of cancer,” says Allin’s mother, Rena.
“This charity was close to her heart as she has lost three women in her family due to the disease,” she says.
Pageantry gives Allin an opportunity to be a role model and volunteer with different organizations across Western Canada, she says.
This year’s competition wasn’t Allin’s first, as she also competed in Miss Teen Canada and other pageants in the USA.
“Sometimes there are been misconceptions about pageants because of how they are seen on TV, but Natalie says they have always been good experiences for her. She has gained confidence and many friends from all over,” says Rena.
“She competed against women who were engineers, entrepreneurs, in pre-med and studying or working in various careers. The current Miss World is a dentist,” she says.
Miss World Canada is one of the country’s oldest pageants, and in the last 50 years has raised more than $250 million for children’s charities. This year Allin fundraised for The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.
