Uxbridge woman headed to international pageant this month
Aug 19, 2008 - 04:30 AM
By Jeff Hayward
UXBRIDGE -- Katie Starke, of Goodwood, is poised to be crowned Miss Teen World at an upcoming competition.
But Ms. Starke, 18, a 5'10" (over 6 feet tall in heels) blonde beauty, also a veteran hockey player, is a newcomer to the beauty pageant scene. She was watching Miss Universe just a month ago when she decided she'd like to take a shot at becoming Miss Teen Canada - World. An opportunity arose to compete for the title despite her lack of experience.
"I didn't have to win Miss Uxbridge or anything," she said with a smile.
A pool of over 30 girls was reduced to 12, who then faced judges at Max Agency in Toronto in early August, said Ms. Starke. During that competition, the young women were judged on poise, confidence, beauty, interview skills, and how they fared in swimwear.
"There was a runway set up. I've never done anything like that before," she said, adding she has been working with coach Michelle Weswaldi, who herself has earned success in the beauty circuit. "Walking is the hardest part."
Ms. Starke managed to grab the Canada crown and in the process won a week-long, all-expenses paid trip to Texas, among other prizes including a portfolio shoot, she said. While down south, she will compete in an international competition on Aug. 23 for a chance at being named Miss World and expects to be up against about 20 competitors from several countries.
But despite being a rookie to pageants, Ms. Starke exudes confidence about her chance to win it all.
"I'm more excited than nervous," she said, adding she has other options to pursue if she falls short. "This is not my whole life's work." She added her height might give her an advantage in the judging.
If she does win, she's in line for an additional $10,000 scholarship and other perks, she noted.
Ms. Starke recently graduated from Uxbridge Secondary School with an academic scholarship to York University to study business and play on York's women's hockey team, she said.
"I've been playing hockey since I was eight," she said, adding she is a left winger on the Durham Jr. Lightning squad of the Provincial Women's Hockey League.
She said when she is called on to speak at the international competition, she will take the opportunity to boost the profile of women's hockey.
"You can be athletic and feminine," she said.
And while she hasn't ruled out taking her hockey career further, noting she'd "love" to be part of the women's Olympic team someday, her real passion is modelling.
"I love modelling. It's (even) more exciting than hockey," she said.
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