A Cobourg woman is heading to Toronto next month to compete at the Miss World Canada national competition, but for Neela Fleury, the pageant is about much more than a crown.
The 19-year-old is a national finalist and will represent Cobourg and the community at the competition from August 12th to the 16th.
Fleury, who graduated from CCI last year and is now studying political science and communication at the University of Ottawa, says advocacy is a major reason she entered the competition.
Her long-term goal is to become a human rights lawyer, advocate for others and eventually work in the Canadian government.
Fleury says the Miss World Canada competition gives her another platform to pursue those goals and speak about human rights and social issues.
One of the central components of the competition is the Beauty with a Purpose project, which asks contestants to focus on a social issue they’re passionate about and develop ways to create change.
Fleury’s project focuses on Indigenous cultural reconnection, including reconnecting Indigenous youth and their families with language and cultural practices.
The issue is personal for Fleury. She says she didn’t learn that she was Indigenous until she was 14 and had to begin learning about her identity and reconnecting with her culture on her own.
Fleury says she wants her Beauty with a Purpose project to include conversations with schools and Indigenous communities. She hopes to speak with students, school principals, band offices and Indigenous youth to better understand what is already being done and where improvements can be made.
She says the goal is to help make Indigenous youth proud of their identity while strengthening connections to culture and language.
Fleury is approaching the national competition with the same focus on community that she brings to her advocacy work.
She says she has been connecting with Cobourg businesses and organizations, including Bryn’s Fresh Market and Arthur’s Pub at the Best Western, which have supported her journey.
For Fleury, representing Cobourg is particularly meaningful. She grew up in the community and says she has strong connections throughout Cobourg and Northumberland.
Fleury says she wants to highlight the people and businesses that make Cobourg special while competing on the national stage.
The Miss World Canada national competition takes place in Toronto from August 12th to the 16th.
Fleury is encouraging people in the community to support her through the public voting component of the competition. In the interview, she directs supporters to Catch the Crown and says public votes contribute to contestants’ scores.
Fleury is continuing to look for sponsors to help support her journey to the national competition. She is already sponsored by The Market & Smør, Arthur’s Pub, Brynn’s Fresh Market in Cobourg and Port Hope Hyundai, and anyone interested in supporting her can reach her at neelafleury07@gmail.com.
(Written by: Branden Rushton)
