PAGEANT HISTORY was made last Sunday, when two queens crowned simultaneously on the same stage.Stephanie Conover won the title of Miss Canada Plus 2007, while Renee Mitchell captured the Mini Miss Canada Crown. The ladies shared the stage at the Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts, in one of the more unique shows of the pageant season.

CANADA extra newspaper

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"This shows we plus-size women can hold ourselves high in a pageant and do whatever regular girls can do up there and do it with style, class and brains." Miss Canada Plus is Stephanie Conover, 22, of the West End. You could do cannonball dive in her honey-brown eyes.

In the talent bit, Abbygail Acham, 24, belts out Big, Blonde and Beautiful from Hairspray.

Bring on that pecan pie

Pour some sugar on it

Sugar, don't be shy

For a finale, she does the splits. Brings the house down. Standing O.

Toronto Sun

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The event was well choreographed and listening to the way the contestants spoke of their experiences gives one the impression that this is something that young girls and plus size women needed; that extra boost, the recognition that they too are representatives of a wonderful world, and overcoming challenges are what it is really all about, that they belong. The last winner of the Miss Canada Plus, "Cindy echoed her sentimentsin her parting speech, in 2005 I was surfing a website I happened upon an advertisement that said,Become the next Miss Canada Plus Pageant Queen". I thought to myself, "a plus-sized pageant, I've never heard of such a thing".

To make a long story short, Cindy knew she was qualified physically, however what she discovered was, that it takes more than just what is on the outside no matter what size you are, to be truly beautiful, and she walked away from this experience knowing that "shile we are all different, we are all beautiful in our own way". Beauty' she said, is not the airbrushed Barbie-doll look-alike on the cover of news stand magazine". Being the best person you can possibly be, is what she expressed, makes you beautiful.

Ethnic Umbrella Newspaper

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Maria Pontieri

How has participating in the pageant contributed to your self-development? 
MCPP has given me a new found look on myself.  I present myself with much more confidence.  I can look at myself and be proud that I was a part of the MCPP.   It was a big accomplishment in my life. I am able to stand up tall, not worrying about my size???? It’s not what's on the outside that counts its what's on the inside ... "Big, Small, love them all!" -Sam Spataro.
 
How did you feel to receive your award on stage before an audience?
I was so honoured to receive the Peoples Choice award.  To know what people think of you and your overall presentation means a lot in a pageant such as MCPP.  Receiving this award just shows that people around you are your biggest supporters, and having such a wonderful support system just contributes to your own personal growth in believing in yourself.  The feeling of receiving an award in front of a large crowd, to me was such an overwhelming experience.  I was happy to receive this award especially in front of family and friends.  
 

How did the pageant impact your life when you were a contestant, and how do you think you will be impacted in the future by your MCPP experience?
Being a contestant in the MCPP made me feel special.  People were excited to see the MCPP contestants at events.  There was a lot of cheering and excitement when we were around.  
 
The MCPP is always something that I will look at as an accomplishment.  It was a part of a growing process for myself and who I am, and who I want to be.  I was able to walk away from the pageant with a lot of lessons taught about life and personal growth.  I have learned to appreciate myself more no matter what shape or size I am.  That was the biggest lesson for mes

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Rosemarie Simms

How has participating in the pageant contributed to your self-development? 
I believe the pageant has allowed me to develop and appreciate who I am. I have accepted the body I'm in and love it. Participating in the pageant has helped me to improve my communication skills and my confidence.
 
How did you feel to receive your award on stage before an audience?
When I started the pageant I stated that one of my goals was to improve my communication and public speaking skills. So to have received an award of best communication the night of the show was a huge honour for me. I was proud of myself, and to see my friends and family also very proud of me felt great. 

How did the pageant impact your life when you were a contestant, and how do you think you will be impacted in the future by your MCPP experience?
I believe that because of the pageant I have found an interest in pageants on a whole. Before MCPP I would have never entered a pageant.  Now I plan to enter different pageants and showcase my talents and personality. I would also want to show other plus size women that we are able to do anything and we are not limited to the box that society has placed us in.

I look forward to helping MCPP grow in anyway I can. The future of the pageant is limitless. I would like to say thank you to all the MCPP staff members for making such a positive impression on my life.

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Interested Candidates

My name is Melissa, I am 21 years old. I am very interested in your pageant and I would love to enter. Also, I own a plus size clothing store and I am sure other people would like to know about your pageant, so if you could give me more info that would be great.

Thanks,
Melissa

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Hi my name is shorlette
I am 19 years-old, and an independent young lady that is attending Seneca College, majoring in the Youth Worker program. I do not have many reasons why I am applying for a beauty pageant, but it will be a big and different experience for year 2006, to be able to show my talents. My talents are to sew and design clothing, singing and dancing, also I will be  DJ-ing very soon. I am creative, a people's person, helpful, truthful, humorous, and I would like to express and show my personality to more communities. Even though a lot of people tell me I am beautiful, I do not think I am really that pretty at all, but it is worth trying something new, everyone has their own looks.

I would more than greatly appreciate the opportunity that will be offered to me.

Thank You for reviewing my document and your time.

Sincerely,
Shorlette

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Dear MCPP,
Good day everyone! I would like to begin by introducing myself. My name is Kristen and I am 19 years old. I have lived in Saskatchewan my whole life in Humboldt. As I was surfing the net I came across your website which I thought was absolutely wonderful! It makes me very happy to see these women being recognized for their beauty inside and out as well as being a role model for other plus sized women such as myself. I would really appreciate it if I could receive more information on the pageant.

Thank you so much for your time.
It would be a great pleasure to hear back from you.

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My name is Pat. I attended the pageant of 2004 and thought that it was very well organized, fun, entertaining and most of all involved. I strongly feel that functions such as this inspires a person to be who they are and shine proud. I am interested in being involved in next year's pageant. What do I need to know about becoming a contestant? I would love to meet with you regarding this matter at your convenience.

It was a great pleasure to have been a part of the fashion show at The Scarborough Town Centre. Glenora, I honestly don't know where to start thanking you for this whole experience. You know, I was hurt when I couldn't be in the pageant because of (pageant policies) but, I guess out of every negative experience comes a positive one.  I have YOU to thank for that.  I know many people who would have simply turned their heads and simply told me " sorry you can't be in the pageant, good  luck!"  NOT YOU!! You provided me with so many positive experiences and opportunities that have made me so happy. Glenora Joseph, you are an amazing woman. I hope that one day, an angel will fly by you and make you as happy as you have given me the opportunity to be.


Thank You So Much....It means alot to me!!!!
Patricia

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I would really like to take part in your next pageant but I live in newfoundland.

Amanda

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Miss Canada Plus 2003 was the first of its kind. I was most impressed of how well organized the show was; the entertainment was outstanding and Liberty Silver brought the house down, and most important was the calibre of the contestants.  They were intelligent, self confident, beautiful and talented. I commend Glenora Joseph, the pageant organizer and her staff for doing such an excellent job.

Lorraine DelSol
Fashion designer
House of Lorraine

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