Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Oct 04/04) - "It was the best experience I ever had," said Linda Wright, of Inuvik, back home after the Miss World Canada competition. "It built my confidence and also gave me the opportunity to be myself."

Linda Wright of Inuvik has many wonderful memories from the Miss World Canada competition in Toronto last month. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

Chosen to represent the Northwest Territories in the pageant, Wright had little time to prepare for the competition before heading to Toronto on Sept. 5.

"Toronto is such a beautiful city. I saw so much when I was there."

The contestants first gathered for a harbour cruise on Lake Ontario and a tour of the CN Tower, she said.

Later, they visited the Taboo Resort outside Toronto, which was also a fun experience.

"We participated in the swimsuit competition and the sports competition," she said.

The big moment

Wright said the formal preliminaries were held the day before the actual competition started. Each contestant had interviews with the judges and practised the stage routine to perfection.

Then came the big moment.

Wright, dressed in a burgundy gown designed by her aunt, Karen Wright-Fraser, made her appearance before the judges on Sept. 9.

"It wasn't that difficult on stage," she said, adding she put all her concentration on her routine.

She wasn't crowned the 2004 Miss World Canada but Wright has no regrets.

"It didn't really matter whether or not I won," she said.

"I will remember the time I spent with the other girls the most. They were all really nice and all part of their communities," she said of the other contestants.

It is unlikely she will enter another such pageant, Wright said, but it did get her thinking about her future goals.

"The experience gave me inspiration," she said.

"I would encourage other girls to enter. I would tell them to be prepared, have a good attitude and be friendly -- and to think about what would make them a good Miss World Canada."

Tijana Arnautovic of Ottawa was this year's winner.

Ashley Paniyuk-Dean of Nunavut was a semi-finalist and winner of the Elizabeth Arden Heart and Soul award.