Interview with Miss Teenage Edmonton – Sophia Wojdak

Firstly thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about your pageant journey for my pageant lockdown blog. It’s lovely getting to know fellow pageant queens and more about the systems that they represent.

What made you enter pageants ?

I’ve always had a great interest in the pageant industry since I was young. I always thought it was an incredible opportunity to promote a platform you are passionate about as well as collaborate with amazing other women across the country and world.

Can you tell us about your pageant journey so far ?

I competed at a fun local pageant in the summer but it didn’t have any titles, Miss Teenage Edmonton is my first official title.

What made you decide to compete in your current system ?

I think Miss Teenage Canada/Miss World Canada is one of Canada’s strongest pageant system, and focuses a lot on having beauty with a purpose and community work. The sisterhood with adult titleholders our system provides gives you a great sense of community that I really appreciate, and our pageant director Michelle Weswaldi is so hardworking and dedicated.

What the best thing that pageants have taught you ?

That you get so much for out of it if you focus on it being a celebration of other women as well as you rather than a competition, if you focus on community work and sisterhood rather than just getting a crown. It taught me to collaborate a lot with others and have given me a lot of self confidence.

What’s your pageant platform and why ?

My platform is about promoting the arts in my community. Originally an idea to provide opportunities with art classes and theatres in my community, it has been altered during these unprecedented times. I am hosting art auctions to promote local artist but also to raise money for charity.

What’s your dream title ?

Miss World Canada

If you were to win what would it mean to you ?

Miss World is one of my favourite pageant systems because it puts so much focus on philanthropy projects and inner beauty. All of these Miss World Canada’s I have an the honor to get to know, like the wonderful Naomi Colford (Miss World Canada 2019) have been the most talented, driven and beautiful women I’ve ever known. To be able to follow in their footsteps would be incredible.

What’s the best advice you have for fellow pageant queens ?

Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s your unique and individual qualities that make you special and help you succeed, so don’t try to be like everyone else.

What have you been doing in the run up to your pageant final ?

Miss Teenage Edmonton is my provincial title, so I’m gearing up to Miss Teenage Canada. I’ve been collaborating with other titleholders, starting an campaign to support and honour essential workers, host art auctions to raise money for charity and promote artists, and have been interviewing different inspiring women in my community to help keep us all connected.

What’s your favourite appearance so far ?

Everything in my community shut down before I could do many appearances, but I had an online appearance interview with Miss Tourism Netherlands, which was a really unique opportunity.

How has the lockdown due to covid 19 affected your pageant journey ?

It inhibited me from attending or hosting any events, but it has made me realize how important and unique mobile connection can be.

What makes a good pageant role model ?

Someone who inspires other girls to be themselves and believe in what they are passionate about. Someone who is kind and always willing to lend a helping hand to others.

What’s your favourite pageant round ?

Interview, because it’s when you get to show the judges everything important about you and what you stand for.

How do you deal with pageant nerves ?

I try to listen to music and take breaths, and just remind myself that I will be okay regardless of the outcome.

Social Media Link

Instagram: missteenedmonton_2020

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions it’s been lovely getting to know you and more about your platform. I wish you all the best at your pageant final. Much love Charlotte, Ms Diamond South Yorkshire 2020.