Miss Southern Quebec 2007 Coraleen Taveras won the right to represent Canada on the world stage at a pageant held Aug. 19 in Toronto. (Photo: Martin Alarie)
A beautiful title to hold
It's tough to resist the charms of St. Laurent resident Coraleen Taveras. The jury in charge of awarding the 2007 Miss Southern Quebec title agreed, before the young woman went on to place higher than expected at the Miss Canada Globe competition. It's not the last time she'll go after a tiara, either; Taveras will represent Canada at a 2008 beauty contest in Asia.
Over the course of our interview in Beaudet Park, Taveras received quite a bit of attention from two young girls lingering nearby. A quick photo shoot later, and the 21-year-old was ready to talk about her experience.
It's been a big 2007 for Taveras, with her first big beauty-contest win, having bested 159 other competitors to grab the Miss Southern Quebec title at the Miss Quebec Globe pageant.
Last Sunday, Taveras took the next step in her budding beauty pageant career and took part in the national Miss Canada Globe competition in Toronto.
“There was a weird ambience, with girls coming from all over Canada. It was a lot of stress, but the atmosphere sort of kept that at bay,” she said.
So, no jealous fights between competitors?
“No! We didn’t have any arguments, overall it was a great experience,” she said.
Ambassador of beauty
Winners are not judged solely on physical criteria. Instead of a traditional parade in front of the judges, a series of interviews to get a read on the competitor's personality and their level of community involvement are set up.
Involved heavily with two community organizations, Taveras impressed the judges with her commitment.
“I think that's where I was able to make the difference with the judges. I knew what I was talking about. On the other hand, I didn't even think I'd make the top ten. I was really surprised when I came in the top five,” she said.
That result will allow for her to travel to China for the upcoming Miss Global World 2008 pageant, where she will represent Canada.
When she's not accepting accolades, Taveras works and teaches dance classes at Lauren Hill Academy and Gardenview elementary school in St. Laurent. It's a passion she clings to, and hopes to make a career of. Before, Taveras considered taking modern dance in university, and is considering getting involved with world anti-poverty group World Vision in the long term.
Before all of that, however, she's got to convince more judges she's the real deal. In China, she will officially adopt the role of beauty ambassador for Canada, and will make all St. Laurent residents proud – on the other side of the world.
Translated by Marc Lalonde
Météo: Montréal, 6 juillet 2008 / 20°C
/ Généralement ensoleillé
/ Vents: 15 Km/h / Humidité relative: 60 % 
par Sylvain Sarrazin 
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