TORONTO — A Toronto student, Brittany Danishevsky, will represent the city in the Miss Teen Canada-World pageant finals this summer.
The 17-year-old Newtonbrook Secondary School student was crowned Miss Teen Toronto-World at the Holiday Inn Airport in January.
In July, 70 finalists from across Canada will compete for the Miss Teen Canada-World title, with the winner representing the country at the Miss Teen International Pageant in Chicago.
Danishevsky was born and raised in Toronto and is a first-time pageant contender. She competed in the evening gown and swimwear categories and had a personal interview. Each competitor also attends seminars and workshops designed to boost confidence and enhance skills such as public speaking, community outreach and image development.
Contestants are not judged only for their physical beauty, but also for their personality, public speaking, stage presence, fitness, fundraising, platform, community involvement and social media.
Danishevsky is a dedicated volunteer and is passionate about youth mental health.
“By raising awareness, I hope to change negative stigma in order to ease the healing process of those suffering,” she said in a phone interview. “I have created my own organization called Chance Through Dance, a not-for-profit where we provide workshops for youth and teach them how to use dance to deal with adversity.”
Chance Through Dance is organizing workshops with the City of Toronto, YMCA, Covenant House and North York Women’s Shelters.
“I believe youth today struggle because they are not heard,” Danishevsky said.
The Grade 12 student is president of the school’s athletic council and is on several school teams including volleyball and cross-country.
She is also the choreographer for the dance team. She learned to dance when she was six and used to do competitive Latin dancing until age 14. She then switched to studio dances, such as lyrical and hip hop.
“My organization evolved through my love of dance. It was my way of expressing myself,” she explained.
As part of the preparation for the national Miss Teen Canada pageant, contestants have to raise funds for the contest’s official charity, Free the Children.
“The contestant who raises the most, together with the crowned Miss Teen Canada-World, will get a trip to volunteer in a Third World country, which is a huge dream of mine. My plan is to hold a fundraiser that showcases Chance Through Dance, with performances by youth, where all ticket proceeds will go toward Free the Children.
“I believe I have a path to travel and I am meant to help others in my life. The most important reason I chose to do this pageant is for volunteerism, so I can perform youth mitzvah and help others,” Danishevsky said.
You can contact her at [email protected] or on her missteentoronto2013 Facebook page.
