Lethbridge's Ashton Wesley is headed to the Miss World Canada event in Toronto July 21-27 (Photo credit: La Di Da Lane Photography)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge teen reflects on Miss Alberta World title, prepares for Miss World Canada pageant

Jun 23, 2019 | 8:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – For Ashton Wesley, it was all about believing in herself.

The 19-year-old Lethbridge native, then 18, was crowned Miss Alberta World in February. The Calgary event was the first pageant she had ever entered.

“It was very cool to me, because it was totally new experience. Going into it, I was really scared, and I had a lot of doubts and a lot of moments where I wanted to give up. However, I was really pushed by my parents and friends and I kept going,” she told Lethbridge News Now.

“I’m happy that I did because I ended up winning. The emotions I had in the moment – I can’t even explain them. It was very humbling.”

She’ll now move on to compete in the Miss World Canada pageant July 21 to 27 in Toronto, Ontario.

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Ever since being crowned Miss Alberta World, Wesley has been volunteering in the community and different events and trying to fundraise for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

EVENT AT HENDERSON POOL

UPDATE: According to Wesley’s family, the pool party event has been moved to Saturday, July 13 due to weather concerns.

On July 6, she’ll be hosting a charitable pool party at Henderson Pool from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Funds raised will go towards the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, as part of her duties in the pageant world.

Tickets are being sold in advance for $7 (children 10 and under), $10 (11+) or $25 for a family of four. Those interested in purchasing a ticket can contact Ashton via email at missalbertaworld2019@gmail.com. She said tickets may also be sold at the door the day of the event.

“It is so cool that Henderson actually gave me their pool from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. We have bouncy castles coming, snow cones, cotton candy. It’s going to be a really fun time,” she said.

Wesley explained that in addition to helping the Children’s Wish Foundation, she raised over $2000 for Cardiac Kids during her run in the provincial pageant. Cardiac Kids helps children suffering from congenital heart disease.

She added that contestants can get involved with multiple organizations.

“Individually each delegate is (also) allowed to raise awareness and raise money for their platform. Mine is animal rights and welfare, so I have been trying to raise a little bit of funds for our non-profit rescues in town to help them out a bit more,” she said.

MOTIVATION

Wesley said last September, her mother saw an advertisement for the Miss Teenage Canada competition. After some coaxing from her mother, Wesley decided to audition for the pageant.

“I was like no, pageants have such a bad stigma, I don’t want to be a part of that. It’s just about beauty,” she said.

“I really researched the organization of Miss Teenage and thought, ‘this is really cool’ and maybe I will give it a try because there is more than just beauty, there’s also beauty with a purpose. There’s a lot more (to pageants) than just being a pretty girl.”

Ashton Wesley wants to help erase the stigma around pageants (Photo courtesy Serena Reynolds Wesley)

Wesley said after her interview with Miss Teenage Canada, the pageant director told her she was very mature and should try out for the Miss Alberta World event.

“I talked to my parents and really thought about it and I did move up into the Miss World organization instead of Miss Teenage,” she said.

“It was really my parents that pushed me to do it. I probably wouldn’t have been doing it or even known about it (if) my mom hadn’t told me. I’m really happy that she did.”

Wesley is currently working since taking a year off following her high school graduation. She said she plans to go to a post-secondary school, depending on what title she receives at the upcoming Miss World Canada pageant. She added that she would like to be a teacher.

“I really want to become a teacher that can help each student individually with what kind of education suits them for their success because I did struggle in school a lot and I was kind of discredited for it,” she said.

“I really want to give back and be that teacher that I needed in life.”

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Wesley elaborated on the stigma that surrounds pageants, noting many people think it’s solely about beauty.

“These pageants and organizations are really turning that around and trying to create more of learning (environment). There is so much more to a person than their looks and I think the pageant industry is trying to emphasize that nowadays,” she said.

“I really want to put out that you need to believe in yourself and always keep trying because if you give up, you’re not going to succeed.”

The 19-year-old said she’s grateful for all the support she’s received (Photo credit: La Di Da Lane Photography)

Wesley continued, speaking about her experience at the provincial competition.

“I really wanted to give up sometimes and I didn’t and look where I am right now. I’m on my way to Miss World Canada. I have a great title and my community is supporting me so much and it’s very humbling. My heart is just filled from how much Alberta and Lethbridge appreciates me and what I’m trying to do here,” she said.

“I want to thank my city of course for being so supportive and always having my back and saying all the nice things when I’m out on the town with my crown and sash on because our town really tries to be a part of this.”