SYDNEY, N.S. — A Cape Breton woman has already made history and in a couple of weeks she is hoping to do it again.
Naomi Colford, 19, of Sydney, is in London, England preparing for the Miss World competition, which includes 130 contestants. Miss World will be crowned on Dec. 14.
Colford is the first Nova Scotian to participate in the Miss World festival, which has existed for 68 years.
A second-year university nursing student, Colford captured the title of Miss World Canada in July, finishing ahead of 55 other contestants from across Canada at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.
“I'm just proud to not only be able to represent Canada, but also Nova Scotia and Cape Breton,” she said in an interview from England. “I’m the first Nova Scotian to get a chance to participate in the Miss World festival. It’s super exciting.”
Colford said there have been a number of competitions leading up to the finals including a top model event and on Thursday there was a sports challenge.
The competitions — which continue until the finals on Dec. 14 — are part of the overall score.
One of the challenges is multimedia and Colford is asking Canada for help.
She needs people to follow her, like her photos and comment on her Miss World Canada Facebook page as well as her Instagram account, @naomi_colford and Twitter account, @naomicolford. As well the public can download the free app Mobstar and follow her, Naomi Colford- Miss World Canada 2019.
Colford is also asking people to vote for her at http://www.missworld.com/.
"That’s going on throughout the competition,” she said. “The votes will go towards my multimedia scores.”
In the meantime, Colford said the days in London are exciting and hectic. She said contestants must handle their own clothing and makeup, but the Miss World organizers gave her some help with her wardrobe.
“Most of my clothes are my own but the Miss World competition provided me with some gowns and some nice things. As well, I had some beautiful sponsors that donated some things to wear.”
In preparation for the big final day of competition, Colford said she has been concentrating on representing not only herself but Canada as well to the best of her ability. As well Colford said she has been focusing on her Beautify with a Purpose project — Grow and Learn.
Colford said a lot of people when they think about Canada see it as a well-off country and don’t think of poverty and food insecurity.
“I actually learned that one in three children live in poverty in my community. I’m extremely passionate helping those living in poverty and experiencing food insecurity."
The project involves Colford visiting daycares and schools, educating children on the importance of properly nourishing their growing bodies and taking part in a gardening activity. Colford said this is important as it teaches the children an economical way to receive healthy and nourishing foods.
“This project is super important because it brings awareness and I hope to decrease the statistics of people living in poverty in my community," she said. “I really want to use this project to bring awareness to food insecurity in Canada.”
Follow Naomi
- Miss World Canada Facebook page
- Instagram: @naomi_colford
- Twitter account, @naomicolford.
- As well the public can download the free app Mobstar and follow her, Naomi Colford- Miss World Canada 2019.
- On the Miss World website.
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