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Edmontonian competes in Miss Teen Canada-World

(Edmonton Woman staff) -- An Edmonton woman who took top honours in the Miss Teen Alberta-World event earlier this year has travelled to Ontario to take part in Canada-wide competition.

Sixteen-year-old Alexandra Hanasz got the highest score at the provincial contest, in which there were 18 other finalists.

Hanasz, a student at Vimy Ridge Academy, is taking part in public appearances and charitable events before the preliminary Miss Teen Canada-World competition on July 14, to be followed by the talent segment on July 15 and the choosing of the winner on July 16.

Some 80 contestants from every province are taking part in the event. The winner will go to Houston to compete for the Miss Teen World title.

Deciding the winner is based on several components, Hanasz said in a recent interview. These include an interview, swimsuit and evening gown appearances, and talent exhibition.

Contestants are also expected to maintain a blog and raise funds for Free the Children, a charity that builds schools in developing countries, which was created by Craig Kielburger.

In addition, they develop a platform of their own causes to promote. "You get involved with charities that are involved with your own platform," she said. In her case, that is the performing arts. Hanasz herself is a dancer, the talent she will display at the Toronto competition, and has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical and modern, and hip hop dance.

Fitness and health improvement is also close to her heart.

"I really am involved with fitness," she said. "I really want people to get involved with fitness and nutrition."

Among her activities in the run-up to the competition was hosting fitness boot camps to raise funds for Free the Children.

Hanasz has been modelling since 2008, through Canadian Models Actors Centre and Finesse Model and Talent Management and took part in Western Canadian Fashion Week in each of the past three years.

She feels the Miss Teen Canada-World competition is a great opportunity. "The best part is that I get the opportunity to do media [appearances] and share my passions," she said.

"I love the feeling of reaching your best. For Miss Teen-Canada World you try to do everything perfectly."