Miss Teen hopeful targets disease that killed her father
Savannah Elias-Beaulieu fundraising for August pageant
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, April 13, 2017
INUVIK
She loves makeup but something bigger than cosmetics is inspiring Savannah Elias-Beaulieu to compete in the 2017 Miss Teen Canada Globe pageant this August.
Savannah Elias-Beaulieu is fundraising to compete in the 2017 Miss Teen Canada Globe pageant in August. She is raising awareness of Moyamoya disease, which took her father's life. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo
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"What I wanted to raise awareness for is Moyamoya disease," said Elias-Beaulieu, 14.
"The reason why I chose this topic is because I lost my dad (Frederick Beaulieu) to this disease when I was just 10 years old. Not too many people have heard about what this illness is, so it was difficult for the doctors to diagnose and treat my dad."
Moyamoya is a rare blood vessel vascular disorder.
The teen applied online and, following a phone interview, was accepted to the contest later this year. She will be competing in the 13 to 17 age category. However, there's a hefty price tag that comes with competing.
Elias-Beaulieu and her mother, Eleanor Elias, are trying to raise a minimum of $10,000 to cover all the costs.
The entry fee alone is $3,000, for which Elias-Beaulieu is making monthly payments. Then there's the cost of travel, an evening grown, cocktail dress, swimsuit, hotels and all other odds and ends.
She's been working at Northmart to help raise the money, along with holding fundraisers with her mother.
"It's my first time being in an event of this kind," said Elias-Beaulieu, who also loves doing makeup.
She's interesting in meeting other girls with the same interest as her.
The pageant starts with three days of training, where contestants will learn how to walk and speak properly for the show. The actual pageant takes place over a week and includes photoshoots, dancing and more.
"(I'm) really excited, kind of nervous to be in front of all those people, but I'll get used to it I guess," said Elias-Beaulieu, hoping the public speaking training helps prepare her for the pageant.
One thing she needs to figure out soon is her talent. She'd like to do makeup but not sure that would qualify. She's also got to learn to salsa dance.
Elias admitted she's nervous for her daughter as well.
"We don't get out there that much, so even just going to a big city, it's going to be a challenge in itself," she said.
"I think she'll handle it a lot better than I would. And then for her to be able to go to this event, it's a lot of work involved, just the fundraising in itself has been challenging. We're new at this, but it's an experience of a lifetime for her. I can't just say no. I've got to do what I can to make it happen for her."
Pageant winners will be eligible to compete in an international pageant following the August event.
Expect to see Elias-Beaulieu around town in the coming months drumming up funds for her trip.
