Smendziuk looking forward to future

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This article was published 26/07/2011 (5431 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After being crowned Miss Teen Canada-World in July, 2010, Brandon’s Channing Smendziuk has been busy throughout her year-long reign.

Her ride began last April when she competed at her very first pageant, for Miss Teen Manitoba-World. She said she was happy to win that first title, but as a new contestant she didn’t expect top honours so quickly. She set her sights on more ambitious heights.

"Once I won, I wanted to keep going and see where I could go," she said. "We were all at the same level at that point. But at the national (competition) you could tell who had modelling experience and who didn’t. So being the one that didn’t, I had to work hard and prove to myself that I could do that," she said.

Smendziuk said her years of previous dance training and teaching helped her to stay competitive. She went through the rigours of the national contest last July, and won that crown, too.

"There were so many people watching and you just saw cameras flashing. It was nerve-wracking, but I’m used to that from dance. It kind of makes me get even more confident, so it was my time to show the judges that I could do it, and that I’d be a great role model for Canada. I just kind of embraced the nerves," Smendziuk said.

After she was named Miss Teen Canada-World, Smendziuk set off on a year of adventure. The national queen takes on the pageant’s platform of Free the Children, an international organization that works to provide education to children. She made appearances at We Day events and even travelled to Kenya with a group to help with Free the Children’s efforts in Nairobi.

The 62 contestants from her national competition raised more than $70,000 for the organization before she left, so she said that made her trip even more touching.

"I got to see first-hand where this money was going and what a difference they were making," she said.

The teen queen spent 10 days at an all-girls high school that was celebrating their first semester being open. She said the group of students used to have to carry water all day, and so the new school was very important.

"You can just see their faces beaming because you know they’re going to accomplish something. I was talking to some girls and they told me that they’re going to be a pilot and they’re going to be a doctor, and they’re just dreaming so big now and it was so amazing. … It touched my heart, it was so sweet," she said. "I’ve always wanted to be an early years teacher, so to go there and see how important it is, it inspired me in a new way."

Smendziuk had to pass the crown and sash to this year’s new Miss Teen Canada-World, Lauren Howe of Toronto, earlier this month.

"I said ‘No, I’m not sad at all,’ but when I had to do my final walk at the end I kind of teared up. It got me in the end. … So I was walking and smiling and seeing people in the audience that I know and that I’ve met throughout the year and I’m just kind of listening to (my speech over the speakers) and I’m just kind of boiling up to tears, and they finally let go," she said.

But she still has some appearances and charity work that came with the title left to do. As for her time as the queen, she looks back on it with gratitude.

"I’ve never traveled before so every place I go is new … it’s been fantastic. … (My family and I) took the chance and we signed up and we’re all glad that I did, because it’s brought me a lot more than just a crown and sash."

Smendziuk’s next step is to start university after being accepted into Brandon University’s integrated education program this summer. She said she’s set on becoming a teacher, but she still wants to pursue some modelling and acting work, too. She’s also more interested in volunteer work than ever before.

"After seeing all that I’ve seen, I think it’s going to pick up and I’m going to continue to be involved more and more. I’m going to work with Free the Children and take part in We Days. Our group in Kenya decided to sponsor a child there, so we’re going to help her all the way through high school."

Smendziuk also won a modelling and acting scholarship as well as a trip to Los Angeles in the contest.