Pinto’s First Annual Princesses Competition

By Laurie Cooper

On the weekend of September 6 and 7, the First Annual Pinto’s Princesses Competition took place. The event saw twelve contestants, in two age categories (Gr. 6-8 and Gr. 9-12), compete for three princess positions – grand princesses, princess and junior princess. The competition consisted of a speech portion and a talent portion. The contestants also spent some time volunteering at events during the weekend. All of these components melded with the purpose of the competition, which is to help young women in our area build confidence, public speaking skills, awareness of community volunteerism opportunities and to provide them with the opportunity to find and develop mentors and to become mentors themselves. Although this event is based on the former Bean Queen competition, it is not a rodeo queen event. It is intended to develop representatives for Bow Island and Pinto MacBean and to showcase the unique agricultural, business and tourism opportunities and events in the Bow Island area. 

On Friday evening, after volunteering to serve a delicious double baked potato bar fundraising meal sponsored by the North 40 Mile Tourism society at the Multiplex, the young women participated in the speech portion of the competition. Each girl gave a prepared speech on either agriculture or tourism in the Bow Island area and then answered a Bow Island based interview question. Prior to the competition, contestants had an evening or morning where they tried on and chose an outfit for the evening at Western Stockman in Lethbridge. The owner, Lacey O’Donnell generously allowed the girls to wear the outfit for the speech evening. As each contestant was introduced and entered the stage to speak, Dunmore Equestrian Miss Emma Baedke (supported by Dunmore Equestrian SweetHeart Meadow Van Maarion) described the outfit each young lady wore. At the end of the evening, each contestant received a swag bag filled with donations from local businesses. 

On Saturday, the twelve contestants all showcased a talent of their choosing. Following the delicious pancake breakfast provided by the Bow Island Fire Department, Judges saw horsemanship, singing, piano solos, literature readings, art displays as well as baking, gymnastics and rollerblading demonstrations. After the talent contest at the Multiplex, the contestants volunteered at the petting zoo, bouncy castles, hayride and popcorn stand offered by the Tourism Society. Many people enjoyed these activities as well as the Market held in the Multiplex. Then, following a fundraising supper prepared by the EMC youth group, the crowning ceremony took place. After the large and supportive crowd acknowledged all twelve contestants (Sadie Guenther, Kierann Martens, Devyn Meyer, Sadie Reimer, Lacey Thacker, Leah Vos, Mila Wever, Madi Guenther, Chloe Hume, Tamara Iwamoto, Alayna Martens and Makaya Porteous) for their excellent efforts and bravery in competing, Makaya Porteous (Grand Princess), Chloe Hume (Princess) and Mila Wever (Junior Princess) were announced. Each of the winners was presented with a sash, a bouquet and a custom made belt buckle. The evening and the event ended with the contestants and many of their family members attending the family street dance sponsored by the Island Vitality Group. It was a joy to see the younger and older contestants dance with each other and the many Bow Island youth who joined them. The Pinto’s Princesses Committee is looking forward to working with the princesses and the other nine contestants at community events throughout the next year. Planning is already underway for next year’s event.