Pageant queen bold about faith
Thiessen uses title as a platform to encourage others
By
Kevin Heinrichs
ChristianWeek staff
CALGARY–At 19, Juliana Thiessen has amassed quite a resume.
In her graduating year, she was high school president, newspaper editor, and played in three sports. The Calgary resident was also active in First Alliance Church and a regular volunteer.
Her activities earned her a YWCA Young Woman of Distinction award and a Leader for Tomorrow by the Volunteer Centre of Calgary for organizing students to volunteer to serve meals at a local mission.
This past year as a communications student at the University of Calgary and working part-time in the public relations department at PanCanadian Petroleum, she also found time to compete in the Miss Calgary contest, and won. She was then automatically entered into the Miss Canadian Universe pageant, and won again.
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"From
the beginning, the title has been a gift from
God. It’s so important in saying that, that
I have to live it out. God has me here for a
reason," she says. Thiessen’s drive has enabled her to continue a hectic schedule while carrying on the duties as this year’s Miss Canadian Universe, including fundraising appearances, fashion shows and festivals, where she is often given the opportunity to give her testimony. "I thrive on a schedule," she says. "I’m really busy now…I guess I made high school a training ground. The title is a gift I have for a year, so I have to live it up and use it while I have it," says Thiessen, whose parents, Dan and Virginia Thiessen, run a heating and fireplace business in Calgary. The Miss Canadian Universe pageant is a replacement of the original Miss Canada pageant which was discontinued several years ago amid accusations that it exploited women. When asked whether she is concerned that the pageant exploits young women, such as in its bathing suit competition, Thiessen’s public relations savvy kicks in. |
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BY CON BOLAND/ COURTESY OF THE CALGARY HERALD Miss Canadian Universe Juliana Thiessen |
"I think Pageants Canada has changed," she says, although regarding the earlier pageant she says, "I don’t have a comment on that. I wasn’t around at that time."
Instead, she says the contest is "a springboard for a young woman to do what she likes. I was in it for the experience. The only issue was that I not get caught up in it. I want to do it for the right reasons, to be an encouragement," she says.
Although she didn’t place in The Miss Universe pageant (sponsored by American real estate mogul Donald Trump) held in Hawaii this summer, she says she learned some valuable lessons.
She told Western Report magazine that people often wanted their pictures taken with contestants other than her. "It was a real ego downer, but at the same time it was good because it helped me realize, ‘Julie, you’re not all that and a bowl of biscuits. You’re just a normal girl that got lucky.’"
Since the contest, she has continued being a spokesperson for Samaritan’s Purse and has started writing a regular column for the Calgary Herald on topics ranging from Senate reform to shopping.
Regarding the future, Thiessen is aiming for a career in politics or public relations, perhaps in the non-profit sector.
"The neat thing I’ve realized is that I will always be open to God’s plan for my life. When he’s in charge, nothing can go wrong," she says.
