Embracing Roots

Growing up in the heart of rural Alberta, near the Rockies and outside the city limits, offered me a unique perspective on life, community, and hard work. Though I never lived on a farm myself, my childhood was deeply intertwined with the agricultural world. Attending Sunnyside School, I was immersed in a community where Aggie Days were a highlight, and farm safety was as much a part of our curriculum as math or science. This was a world where my friends, were members of the 4H club and began their days with farm chores before the school bell even rang.

The dedication and hard work from those around me instilled a deep respect for the farming community. It was a revelation to me, as I traveled and met people from different walks of life, that agriculture and farming were not universally respected careers; hearing terms like "hick" to derogatorily refer to people where I grew up was beyond disheartening. I want to set the record straight: I am immensely proud of my rural Alberta roots, and I hold a deep admiration for those who grow up on farms, embodying the essence of hard work and dedication. 

Despite the busy summers, filled with the relentless pace of work on farms and feedlots, there was always time for community and celebration. Rodeos, horse racing, and the iconic Calgary Stampede were fixtures of our social calendar that is unique to our region.

It is with this spirit of community, hard work, and celebration that I chose my national costume for the Miss World competition. Designed by the incredibly talented Ekaj Team: Ray and Tyson, my costume is a homage to the cowboy culture of rural Alberta, infused with the glitz and glamour of the Calgary Stampede. Their attention to detail has truly brought my vision to life, fully capturing the essence of my roots.

A special thank you to Sam Mcphedran at Emberbees Photography for capturing the spirit of my costume in a photoshoot on a farm. She even arranged it so that we could shoot with my favorite animal of all time the Highland cow. This photoshoot was more than just an opportunity to showcase a costume; it was a celebration of my culture, my community, and the values that have shaped me. 

As I step onto the global stage of Miss World, I do so with pride in my heart for rural Alberta and the farming community that has been such an integral part of my life. My hope is that my journey and this costume serve as a reminder to embrace our culture, to be proud of our roots, and to recognize the dignity and value in all walks of life. Let us celebrate the diversity of our backgrounds with pride and hope, for it is in our roots that we find our strength and our identity.