Pointe Claire woman hopes to be Miss Canada

BY MARC LALONDE

marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca

She’s hoping to be Miss Universe.

But first, she’s gotta survive Longueuil.

Pointe Claire resident Sonja McCree was recently named one of 12 Quebec finalists for the Miss Universe Canada competition slated for next month, and will fight it out for the chance to represent Canada at the Miss Universe pageant May 29 in Mexico City.

The Miss Universe Canada gala event, which is scheduled for March 4 at the Cabaret Casino de Montreal, will bring 58 of the country’s most beautiful women to the casino to compete for the crown, and McCree plans on being among the top contenders.

The 23-year-old part-time student at Concordia University — she holds down a full-time job as a receptionist — said with no previous pageant experience, she just jumped into the fray.

“For me, it sort of came out of nowhere. I was on a website, and there was an ad letting people know they can register to be part of this thing, and I love pageant shows, so I sent in my application. I’ve never done a beauty pageant in my life,” she said.

Unlike the more-famous Miss America pageant, the Miss Universe contest has no talent portion — just an evening-gown, bathing-suit and speaking components — and the judges’ tallies are calculated to pick the winner.

McCree, who is hoping to transfer into the John Molson School of Business at Concordia, said she is nervous but ready for the challenge, not just of being in the competition, but of being put up in a Longueuil hotel from tomorrow until the pageant on March 4. She and her fellow contestants from across Canada will only be allowed out with a chaperone, she said.

“No matter how hard it’s going to be, it’s still exciting. The Internet’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it,” she said, laughing.

During the contestants’ sequestration in the hotel, McCree said she doesn’t think she’ll go stir-crazy because she’ll spend that time working on her one-on-one interview with one of the judges.

“It’s a crucial time for the girls. It’s your first, last and only chance to stand out from the crowd,” she said.

A Casino de Montreal Cabaret spokesman said they’re thrilled to be hosting the Miss Universe Canada pageant finals for the third straight year.

“It’s a wonderful event and we’re very proud to host it. It’s part of our varied entertainment lineup and we’re looking forward to playing host to the many tourists from across Canada that will be coming to town for the pageant,” said communications agent Nathalie Deschenes.