Miss New Brunswick 2017

Miss New Brunswick 2017


Hello My Sunshines,


       Beaches, clear waters, and outdoor adventures. That is how most people spend their summers, doing something relaxing, and allowing themselves to soak up the sun. But as usual, I decided to try something different this summer.


    Last week I was given the amazing opportunity to take part in the Miss New Brunswick 2017 pageant, and I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life.


   Before I start, allow me to break the stereotypes surrounding pageants. Pageants are portrayed as nothing more than a dog show for women. A place where snobby, sickly thin, women come to compete against each other, just to see who is the most physically beautiful. But that's not the case at all!


Pageants are events filled with genuine, real, and amazing women of all shapes and sizes. They go there for the experience and are well awarded, whether they win or not. They are judged, yes, but they judged on their personality, their involvement in their community, their elegance and poise. A pageant winner is someone who you know is beautiful on the inside and out, and is someone who is kind, and generous.


And never before have I seen a group of such beautiful, and down to earth women, then I did when I went to Miss New Brunswick 2017.


It all started with simple introductions, and name game before we got organized into our rooms. Just sitting at the table with these girls, I knew that the next three days were going to be spectacular. We talked about our hobbies, and what we schools we went to. Each and every girl seemed to glow when they talked about their passion, it was like someone had flicked a light switch. But that meant that they were all proud of who they were, and what they do, and were not ashamed to tell others.


They say it only takes 30 seconds to give a first impression, and I was blown away by these girls.

The Miss New Brunswick 2017 Contestants



Pageant girls need to eat too. :p

Awww, look! It's a heart!

The next three days flew by quickly as they were filled with rehearsals, photo shoots, and a talent show. Before I knew it, we were all lining up to go on stage for our opening number.


The memories I made on the stage that night will last a life time. We danced, posed, spoke, and glided across that stage as we went through opening, casual wear, and then finally formal wear.


Shortly after formal wear they announced the five semi-finalists, I was not one of them, but I didn't feel sad in the slightest. Instead I could feel myself smile wider, and tears begin to line my eyes out of joy and pride for the girls that I had become friends with. Shortly after this moment we went back stage to listen to the former Miss New Brunswick's (Marielle Ouellette) goodbye speech. I had gotten to know her pretty well, and began to down right sob, and I can promise you that I did not stop crying until I left the building that night.


Once I fixed my makeup, and went back on stage with the other girls for crowning, I could feel my heart pound in excitement. I knew the judges must of had the hardest job in the world with this pageant, because I could personally see each and every one of those girls becoming the next Miss New Brunswick.


I remember biting my lip, trying to pull myself together as they called out the titles.


"Miss Talent... Miss Minto! Brooklyn Arsenault!!"
"Miss Congeniality... Miss Nackawic! Ashleigh Corey!!"
"2nd Princess... Mlle Mollusque! Emilie Pichon!!"
"1st Princess... Miss Salmon Festival! Hailey Savoie!!"
"And your Miss New Brunswick 2017 is... Miss Minto! Brooklyn Arsenault!!!!"


After her name was called, and we were sure that we were allowed, all of the contestants rushed in towards Brooklyn, and gave each other all one big hug. We cried congratulations to not just her, but everyone, and talked about how well everyone did.


I may not have officially won anything that night, but I gained a dozen new friends, that I know will support me in the future, and the experience of a life time.


Before I end this post, I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped me get to the Miss New Brunswick Pageant. If you told me a year ago that I'd be doing stuff like this, I'd think you were insane, but because of the over whelming support of my friends and family, I've flourished into the person that I am today. I'd like to thank Dawne McLean and the ACE Pageant for setting this up for me, and giving me the opportunity to represent our small community, it was an honour. Also a huge thank you to my family, my friends and my coach, Michel Belliveau, for supporting, and helping me prepare for all of this. I never could've done this without you. And how would the pageant come to pass if it weren't for the awesome comity members?! Thank you to everyone who helped make the pageant happen, you all did such a fantastic job, and made the three days truly memorable for us. And finally to my girls, you are all so so amazing, and I am so grateful that I got the chance to meet you all. You truly made those three days the best, and I know that all of you are going to go amazing places in life. Remember that all of you are Queens, no matter what anyone tells you, you girls are simply gorgeous, and no one can take that from you.


So what's the lesson from this? What exactly did I win from those three days? I leave knowing that sometimes the best things in life isn't the things you win, or things that you can hold, but the people that you spend it with and the memories that you take with you when you go.


Signing off,
The Nerdy Blogger,
(Brooklyn Wilkins)


P.S. QUOTE OF THE POST:  Heavy is the crown, and yet she wears it as if it were a feather. There is strength in her heart, determination in her eyes and the will to survive resides within her soul. She is you. A warrior. A champion. A fighter. A Queen.    ~ R.H. SIN

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Summertime Madness

Summertime Madness


Hello there, my darlings!


MAN! How I have missed you guys! Time has flown by, and it's already summer, months since my last post! (Sorry about that by the way) but let's get back to business...


Who am I kidding? What the heck am I talking about?! It's summer! And that means lots and lots of spontaneous fun... unless you have a summer job... like me... God I have no life.


Anyways back to fun! I don't know about you, but it's been pretty sunny up here in the Maritimes. And sunshine means perfect whether for the great outdoors! And New Brunswick, specifically the Moncton and Albert County area, is the perfect place to do everything. I should know, I grew up there! So here's a list of the different things that area ALWAYS on my summer to do list for Moncton, Hopewell Cape, and Alma. All of those part of New Brunswick!

1: Magic Mountain


My family and I go make a stop at the water wonderland every year. And just recently it's gotten even better. For those who don't know Magic Mountain used to be an amazing water park on Magnetic Hill in Moncton. But now, it's new and improved. The waterslide topic has expanded into 4 different zones.


First there's the Splash Zone. This part is the real original, as it holds all of the waterslide, and pools and has always been apart of Magic Mountain. In this zone there's stuff for everyone! There's multiple waterslides, my favourite being the Tornado, each one leaving you thrilled and refreshingly soaked. For those who have no fear there's the monstrous Kamikaze. This bad boy has an over 100 feet (30 meters), nearly vertical drop that looms over the entire park, and will leave it's victims with one heck of a wedge! I know from experience! For the more mellow folks there's the Wave Pool that's basically a huge pool that switches from your average simple waves to huge, crazy waves that are bound to make you smile. And if you simply want to relax you can take a ride the lazy river and bob around the river in a comfy tube. 


The next zone is the Fun Zone! This area is brand spanking new. Although I haven't personally been there yet, I know for a fact that this place is full of rides and roller coasters of all kinds! Going off the little bit of research I've done, the different rides in this zone consist of  Wave Swinger, The Star Jumper, The Rio Grande, and the Sky Flyer.


There's also two other smaller zones known as the Golf Zone, for a good day of golfing, and the Tech Zone, an arcade for all the gamers out there.

2. Hopewell Rocks


 Now maybe I'm a biased because I practically grew up at this place, but it is seriously amazing. The Hopewell Rocks is home of the Bay Of  Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world. And I'm not talking about a petty 10ft. No, these tides are actually 3 times that at least! The Bay Of Fundy has an average of 36ft and a maximum of 52ft in height! Over a periods of 6 hours over 160 billion tons of water flows in and out of the Rocks daily. That's enough to fill the Grand Canyon!


During high tide at the Hopewell Rocks, they give you the opportunity to see the murky, chocolate coloured water as it fills up our coves and leaves the only the top half of their ginormous flower pot rocks visible. If your the kind of person that likes to get up close and personal with nature, you may enjoy this next bit, because they also give you the chance to get into a kayak and glide along the surface of these powerful tides. With the Kayak Tours it gives you a chance to experience the Bay of Fundy like no other, as you are literally paddling through the waters and around the breath taking rock formations.


Another 6 hours later you have a completely different and new site to adventure, because once the tide goes out, the ocean floor is revealed and left for you to explore. And this is what is really special about the park. Because sure, when you physically see the tides you get an idea of how big the tides are, but it's not until you are standing on the muddy floor, looking up at the flower pot rocks that you really grasp how massive it is. Not only is it a unique and one of a kind tour, but it also allows you to leave your foot print on the ocean floor and discover the different formations like Dinosaur Rock or Mother-In-Law Rock or the world famous Lover's Arch.


If you think that's all the Hopewell Rocks provides you're extremely wrong. They have an amazing restaurant that makes my taste buds scream just from looking at the menu. It's honestly that good! And if you're waiting for the tide to come in or just looking for the perfect way to remember the trip, the Tidal Treasures Gift Shop can help with that. The gift shop has everything! From clothes to toys to ornaments, books, and food, the gift shop will never leave you unsatisfied.

Over all the place is spectacular with fantastic staff and costumer service, and the sight and the Bay Of Fundy itself is truly a wonder of nature.

3. Fundy National Park

In case you didn't get the chance to really 'be one with nature' at The Rocks you can always go and camp out at Fundy National Park. They have everything a nature love could ask for. Amazing trails, breath taking scenery, relaxing waterfalls, cozy campsites, and a heck of a lot more! I have come here multiple times, and Fundy never fails to impress.


Not only does this place have great wilderness stuff, they have awesome activities to help make your experience even better. You can kayak on Bennett Lake, or swim in their heated salt water pool, you can learn about the nature and wildlife itself at their information center, or take the kids to their crazy, wonderful, play park. Now instead of going on and on about this place, which I very well could because it's so astonishing, I'm just going to show you in a video my class made about it 2 years ago.


Here's the link. Keep in mind this is a year old though.

And there you have it! My top three places to hang out during the summer in New Brunswick, Canada. If you guys ever do get the chance to hang out in NB, make sure you check these attractions out, you won't regret it.

Now get out there and soak up the sun. Have a great summer everyone!


Sending huge rays of sunshine,
The Nerdy Blogger
(Brooklyn Wilkins)


P.S.: QUOTE OF THE POST! "Tan line may fade, but memories are forever." ~Anonymous.