Left to right: Jaime VandenBerg, Tavleen Singh, Chantel Wiebe. (Supplied by Miss Universe Canada)

By David Opinko

Three Southern Albertans competing in Miss Universe Canada pageant

Oct 19, 2020 | 11:27 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The 2020 edition of Miss Universe Canada will be one for the ages, being the only “pandemic pageant” in the event’s history.

The winner will have the opportunity to be part of the global Miss Universe pageant.

The contestants need to secure votes before Thursday, October 22 at 5:00 pm MST to make it to the top 20. Each vote costs $1.

The voting page can be found online here.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the competition will be held in Vaughan, Ontario instead of the usual location of Toronto. Models will stay in “bubbles” with the other members from their province.

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One-quarter of the 40 contestants hail from Alberta, three of whom come from the south region. They are:

Jaime VandenBerg:

Jaime VandenBerg. (Supplied by Miss Universe Canada)

VandenBerg is from Lethbridge and will be competing in Miss Universe Canada for the second time.

She took part in the 2015 event and says it is her life experiences since then that will take her to the top.

The 23-year-old recently graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours and a concentration in legal reasoning.

VandenBerg plans to become a human rights lawyer and will attend law school next fall, but has spent the time in between volunteering with Lethbridge Police Services’ Victim Services Unit.

Her role there was to work with first responders to assist victims and witnesses in their recovery and through the court system.

VandenBerg has found success in the world of modelling, shooting for brands such as Forever 21, Nike, Under Armour, Tommy Hilfiger, and more.

She was given a Women of Distinction Honour in 2019 by the Lethbridge YWCA.

Tavleen Singh:

Tavleen Singh. (Supplied by Miss Universe Canada)

Singh, from Lethbridge, has been highly involved in the world of academics.

She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge with a major in neuroscience. She is currently working to finish her master’s degree with plans to pursue a Ph.D in Psychology with a focus on women in mental health.

Singh is currently self-publishing a book titled Opportunity Cost and hosts a podcast centered around empowering women in the field of psychology.

With a passion for art and for sharing knowledge, she wrote in her biography that she plans to become a CEO for a psychology-focused magazine company.

Chantel Wiebe:

Chantel Wiebe. (Supplied by Miss Universe Canada)

Wiebe, representing High River, has a diverse set of skills and interests.

She helps to set up drywall, is licensed in financial services, and has business aspirations in the worlds of hairstyling, makeup, and photography.

Wiebe also plans to pursue careers as an athletic trainer, which, aside from holding the title of “Miss Universe” would be her dream to accomplish.

According to her biography, she wants to encourage women and girls to “break through and be you” when it comes to gender stereotypes, and advocate for “invisible disabilities” such as ADHD and dyslexia.