But Anna Demian is foregoing any glitter and high heels. The 15-year-old Walnut Grove Secondary student is, like Miss Canada Tara Teng, by becoming an activist in the fight against human trafficking.
"Although I am young, I believe that I have a voice to stand for justice and that I can make a real impact in my country," Demian said.
She and others, including Teng, will be touring Canada as part of the 10-city Ignite the Road to Justice campaign to share their message that human trafficking must not be tolerated.
Demian became involved in the cause after learning about Teng's efforts. Teng used her position as Miss Canada to spotlight the issue globally.
Demian arranged to have Teng speak at her school and the students there wrote to MP Mark Warawa, urging him to take up the cause.
The 15-year-old was shocked to learn that the average age of a human trafficking victim is 12-16 years and that Canada is not immune from this global problem.
"Everyday young women, the same age as me, are exploited for profit in Canada," Demian said. "I am not okay with this."
Teng herself continues her abolitionist efforts and it's earned her a nomination for a Chatelaine magazine Women of the Year 2011 award. From the 32 nominees that include Teng, 20 will be named the Top 20 Under 30. The winners will be announced late in 2011.
Teng's mom Lori said her hope is to have lots of support for Tara's nomination because it will increase awareness about the fight to end modern-day slavery.
Terry Teng accompanied his daughter when Tara and others visited Thailand and Cambodia this summer. They stayed in some of the red light districts.
"I went to listen and to get a sense of what's going on in order to come back and share their stories," Teng said.
In front of a crowd of 40,000, Teng spoke at the MTV Freedom Concert as part of the music station's EXIT to end exploitation and trafficking campaign.
"I find when you hear about social justice problems you immediately think, 'That's awful,' but the more you learn about it," she said, "the more you have to start asking yourself hard questions like, 'How have I directly or indirectly contributed to this injustice?'"
This fall, as a student at the Trinity Western University Laurentian Leadership Centre in Ottawa, Teng will intern with MP Joy Smith. Smith has gained support for a new bill that aims to abolish the sex trade by targeting its market.
To learn more about Teng's work, visit her blog at impact.twu.ca or go to ignitetheroadtojustice.com.
hcolpitts@langleyadvance.com
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