Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Pageant

October 12, 2009

“The new Miss Newfoundland and Labrador is-Sara Green, Winterton”. Everyone jumps up, my mouth drops.  It was quite obvious that I was completely surprised, and I was. I was standing on the stage with 16 stunning women, who are each amazingly strong willed, and over achieve, I would have never imagined that I, the girl in flats, and short plain nails, would carry away the crown. The night seems like a blurr to me. I remember repeatedly yelling “Im Miss Newfoundland and Labrador” as a way to make it sink in..it didn’t. For the next week I kept my crown and sash in eye sight, just to make sure no one would come take it, if it wasn’t real. It really felt like a dream.

A couple of weeks before the Pageant I was suffering from insomnia, and of course, the laptop got broken out. I had done a couple of pageants, and even carried a title before, but hadn’t in a couple of years, and didn’t think I would again. While surfing the internet, in a desperate attempt to make myself tired, I found myself on the Miss Newfoundland and Labrador website. I live by Wayne Gretzkys quote “You Miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”, so I applied. My insomnia never did cure that night, because as soon as I sent my application my brain starting rushing, trying to comprehend what I had to do, and what I just got myself into.

Every year I challenge myself. I guess we can say its my New Years Resolution for my whole life. I did Fire Fighting last year, however it was August month, and I hadn’t done anything yet. This was probably the biggest reason I wanted to do the pageant. I wanted to make Top 8, but winning hadn’t even crossed my mind. I wasn’t there to win, I was there for a challenge, to meet new people, to have some fun.  And meet new people, and have some fun I did.  That weekend I met friends, that I can honestly say, I know will be in my life forever. And have fun? It was a blast. And if you were to ask me my favourite part of the whole weekend, it wouldn’t be the Gala, or meeting everyone, it would be running to each ride with Daisy Dawe on my side, and squealing to the top of our lungs telling the Carnival man to go faster. These are the moment that stands out, The ones that didn’t involve scores, or a crown, but with friends, and laughing until we cried.

You learn a lot about yourself with a crown on your head. I learned that im not as rough as I think I am, and that a crown can make me cry (tears of happiness of course), and that the most important people to celebrate your achievements with, are family. During my first walk as Miss Newfoundland and Labrador, my focus was not the pictures, or the interviews, but hugging my grandparents. And thats just what I did, half way through my first walk, belly to the stage, hand on crown, hugging my grandparents who were standing on the floor. The embrace of pride, and love I felt is the only clear moment I remember from the crowning. The moment that meant the most.

“A firearms license, a big game license, and a line and jigger are not usually associated with the Winner of the Miss Newfoundland and Labrador pageant, but Sara Michelle Green is hardly your typical beauty queen”. Denise Pike from “The Compass” did an interview with me the week I had won, and when I read the article, this was the introduction, and my favourite part. Im not a typical pageant girl, if anything I am a rough “baywoop”. But that’s what made me Miss Newfoundland and Labrador. If there was advice that I could give to anyone, it would be to constantly be yourself. I never hid the fact that I hunt, or fish, or hike, or that I would much rather be doing any of it than shopping. It makes me who I am. I always hear people say “She worked so hard for that title”. I can honestly say, I didn’t work hard for Miss Newfoundland and Labrador. I worked hard to become the person I am, and that made me Miss Newfoundland and Labrador. Be yourself. No one else is very good at it, but you.

It seems like immediately after the pageant was over, my events started piling up. But my first one, the one that I will never forget, was my Home Coming. A couple of weeks before the pageant I had gone to my town mayor, and asked if the town could sponsor my entry fee, and within hours the whole council, as well as the park council had all agreed, and everything was arranged. With that kind of support, when I had won, the support kept on coming. My family and the town had arranged a Motorcade going through Winterton, and Outside Pond Park, and a social afterwards. It was amazing to see how many cars had come out, but what excited me even more, was the fire trucks leading, and at the rear of the parade, and all the firemen in attendance. The motorcade ended at the Rec. Center. Being one of the last to walk in, I had no idea what to expect. When I walked through the door, everyone turned toward me, and clapped. I am pretty hard to crack, nothing really makes me cry...but I have to say, this did. To see so many friendly faces all there to support me, was a feeling I will never forget. I have to send a HUGE thank-you to my town. I am so proud and honoured to have done you proud.

Now that everything has almost sunk in, I can reminisce the weekend, and all the amazing people I had meet, or had already known, and gotten to know better. I met Sheena Windsor for the first time the Friday of the pageant, and I can since say she has become one of my closest friends. I admire her, and commend her on her amazing year, and all the great things she has accomplished. I wish you the best girl. I can also think about what I learned about myself, and how much my life will change.  Since the pageant I have gone shopping, Miss Newfoundland and Labrador is going to need shoes, of which I had few (pretty ones anyway). But I can tell you; my rubber boots will never get neglected, no matter what.  “No matter where you go in life or what you become. Don’t ever forget where you came from, and how you got there.”

Love for always,

Sara Green

Miss Newfoundland and Labrador 2009-2010