Bonnyville’s Riwa Kamaleddine is headed to Toronto to compete for Miss World Canada. 

20 year old vying for a chance to represent Canada at Miss World Pageant.

“My journey has been pretty exciting!” Bonnyville’s Riwa Kamaleddine is headed to Toronto on July 16th to compete for Miss World Canada. The 20 year old says she got into the pageant life out of curiosity.

“At first I did it to see where it would take me,” laughs Riwa, “now, I’m definitely so happy that I did do it, because it’s given me such a great opportunity to meet new people, to talk to the youth, to be welcomed into events and to be part of this community. It’s something I never thought I would do, and because of this pageant, I am so happy that I am able to do it.”

It all started only a few months ago, “Back in March, I applied to compete in the provincial pageant for Miss North Canada,” Riwa says the application process included an interview, “I went on to do that provincial pageant and received the title of Miss East Central Alberta 2017 and now I’m going to Toronto to compete for the bigger title, of Miss World Canada.”

There’s 60 young women in the competition, which is a preliminary round to the Miss World pageant that invites 147 countries from across the world. The competition has been active since 1957,  selecting a representative from Canada to compete in the Miss World pageant. “There’s six of us representing Alberta, each from different sections,” Riwa is the East-Central representative, “once we get to Toronto we’re all ‘Alberta’.” Riwa explains all six representatives will all wear an Alberta sash.

There are three possible prizes from the competition; Miss World Canada, Miss Super Continental and Miss Super International. With each title you would represent Canada Internationally.

Riwa hopes to be able to continue to give back to her community and meet new people through her journey. She says most of the girls in the competition have a similar platform to give back to their communities, hers is no different. “Which is beauty with a purpose,” Riwa says the pageants are not solely a beauty competition. She hopes to bring awareness to a very serious problem affecting a lot of teens and pre-teens, eating disorders. “I’ll be speaking about eating disorders and I want to continue to be an advocate for mental health; no matter the outcome of the competition.”

Riwa with MLA Scott Cyr and Mayor of Bonnyville Gene Sobolewski

Riwa recently graduated business school and is working at the Bonnyville Golf & Country Club for the summer as she continues to train for the pageant. There is a lot of fundraising involved in being able to attend the prestigious show, so it’s as though she’s working two full-time jobs.

“With the organization, they provide you with a charity. This year is the Children’s Wish Foundation,” Riwa explains each contestant must raise money for the given charity. She has participated in a number of fundraising activities; including roadside cleanups, bottle drives and garage sales. There is an account open at the Bonnyville Dove Centre if you wish to donate to Riwa’s cause, direct the cashier to give funds to the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Riwa would like to thank all of her sponsors and the community for helping her along her journey. Dr. Nestor Shapka, Lakeland Co-op, Lakeland Grill, Ducharme Motors, Co-operators, Oilmen’s Society, Thinkwerx Inc., Mandy Hunter, Frankie J Photography, Shutter-bee Photography, Sylvester’s Sporting Goods, Jen Bentley, TNT Clothing Corp., Très Chic, Megan Nerland – The Edge, Hi-Energy Fitness Studio and JD Collision.

If you would like to follow Riwa on her journey, like her on Facebook.