Anne-Marie Jennings
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 28/98) - There was a certain level of tension in the air as friends and family of the newly crowned Miss Teen Canada waited for the plane to land Wednesday evening.

But no one was more relieved to be back in Yellowknife than Nicole Gagnon herself.

Gagnon had spent the better part of her day travelling back to Yellowknife, taking a route which saw Miss Teen Canada and her mother fly from east to west, making a few pit stops along the way, including a 50-minute stop in Iqaluit.

She also came home with a bit more luggage than she left with last week, including four boxes full of gifts and prizes.

"I received everything you would need to makeover a kitchen," Gagnon said. "I also received a bracelet, a $400 watch, and a lot of other jewelry.

"There will be other gifts I will get throughout the course of the year."

Gagnon is also beginning to understand she will soon become the centre of attention for a while.

"I talked to Sylvia (Stark, president of Miss Teen Canada International Pageant), and she couldn't believe I wasn't back home yet," she said. "She said she has received so many calls from people who want to talk to me."

The rules she must follow are said to be extremely strict and must be followed for the remainder of her reign as Miss Teen Canada, but even Gagnon is not aware of all the rules.

"I will find out when they send me the contract to sign," she said.

"But I've already had to quit smoking."