MASSEY DRIVE, N.L. — Claire Hulan-Beck has become more confident in the last few years and it’s something getting involved with pageants and other competitions has given her.
“It allows you to just realize what you’re capable of. And I really do appreciate that,” said Hulan-Beck, the newly crowned Miss Newfoundland and Labrador for 2019-2020.
The 18 year old from Massey Drive won the title Nov. 3 during the Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Pageant in Harbour Grace.
Hulan-Beck is currently studying biology at Memorial University in St. John’s and hopes to go on to study medicine.
Beck’s days of competitions began when she was about seven years old and was named the Leifling for the Corner Brook Winter Carnival.
Back then, she was shy and quiet.
“But I do think that was the start of me coming out of my shell and wanting to get more involved with my community.”
She was involved with the student council in junior and senior high. It gave her the opportunity to make community connections and experience working with people and organizations.
While in Level 2 at Corner Brook Regional High, she took part in the Corner Brook Winter Carnival’s ambassador contest. She didn’t win, but tried again in her graduating year and her win then accomplished a goal she’d set as the Leifling.
“There were 14 other amazing young women who were just as likely to get that title as I was.” - Claire Hulan-Beck
In 2017 and 2018 she competed in the Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Leadership Program. In the first year, she won the public speaking award and was crowned second runner-up. She won the environmental awareness award, healthy living award and placed first runner-up in the second year.
For the Miss Newfoundland and Labrador competition she was sponsored by the Town of Massey Drive and Academy Canada.
“I knew friends of friends who had competed and they told me about how much of a wonderful experience it was," she said. "How empowering, how it encouraged them to pursue leadership roles and it seemed like something I was very interested in."
She was shocked to win.
“There were 14 other amazing young women who were just as likely to get that title as I was,” she said.
Hulan-Beck said the pageant has nothing to do with looks.
“It’s 100 per cent about your character and who you are and how you present yourself.”
For other young women who may hesitate to get involved, she said to just go for it.
“It is a life-changing experience. You meet the best people in the world.”
For the next year Hulan-Beck will attend as many community events around the province as possible.
The Remembrance Day ceremony in St. John’s was scheduled as her first appearance. She’ll also attend the St. John’s Christmas parade and plans to be in Corner Brook for winter carnival and in Massey Drive for Massey Drive Day.
She hopes to be able to attend a lot of west coast events, but her schooling will come first.
“My school work will absolutely remain my number one priority. I understand that my school is my future.”
As the reigning Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Hulan-Beck can go on to compete at other events, but she has no plans to do so right now.
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Twitter: WS_DianeCrocker
