Special to the Nor’wester
Seventeen-year-old Brooke Adams from Springdale and 14-year-old Lindsee Clark from Baie Verte are among 32 participants vying for the title of Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador 2012/13.
The scholarship-based program celebrates the achievements of young women between the ages of 13-18.
This year’s event takes place at Holy Heart Theatre in St. John’s Nov. 1-4.
Miss Adams is a grade 12 student at Indian River High. She excels in the classroom, on stage, in the swimming pool and on the soccer field.
While she’s garnered many awards through the years, Miss Adams says her proudest moment was when she received the 2012 director’s award at Indian River High. The award recognizes her artistic talent.
Miss Adams also won an award of distinction for outstanding performance at the regional theatre festival in 2011 and 2012.
The articulate young woman has also proven that she has a flair for writing. A poem she wrote about war in grade 9 took second place in a Royal Canadian Legion poetry competition.
When she’s not studying or working, Miss Adams likes to spend her time teaching swimming lessons, singing to senior citizens, collecting money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and reading to children.
She entered Miss Achievement not only for the opportunity to win scholarships but also to meet people her own age from other parts of the province.
Her biggest supporters, she says, are her mother Tana Adams and her sister Jenny Adams.
“They’re always there for me when I need someone. They believe in me.”
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Miss Clark is a grade 10 student at Copper Ridge Academy. Her career ambition is to become a pediatrician.
“I’ve always loved children and I love helping people.”
Miss Clark was chosen Student of the Year and Academic Student of the Year in grades 6-9.
She was awarded the Johnson Horizons Award for junior leadership and community involvement in grade 9, was chosen Athlete of the Year in grades 8 and 9 and was the provincial winner of the Scholastic Challenge for grade 8 students.
While she appreciates all her accolades, Miss Clark says the Scholastic award means a great deal to her.
“There were 100 questions on a range of subjects from pop culture to math to geography and we had an hour to answer them. I was pretty confident and then I learned that I was number one out of all the grade eights in Newfoundland. I was so happy.”
A talented bowler and swimmer, Miss Clark is also a gifted pianist and enjoys performing with her school’s drama group.
She participates in the annual Relay for Life, coaches various junior sports team at her school and sings at her church.
“Volunteering is a skill-builder and it looks great on a resume. And I think it makes you a better person.”
An only child, Miss Clark says her parents Connie and Eugene Clark have always nurtured her “need of wanting to know more about things.”
“They’ve always stuck by me and there’s also a great amount of support from the people where I live.”
Miss Clark says there are many opportunities for youth in Baie Verte to get involved in their community.
“Our school have many sports programs and we have a leadership committee and a drama group. And outside of school there’s bowling in the fall and swimming in the summer. There’s a lot to avail of if you want to. You can go up to the hospital and sit with the seniors. That certainly builds on your personal experience.”
Regardless of whether or not she brings home any scholarships, Miss Clark says she’s looking forward to meeting new friends and having a great time during Miss Achievement.
“I’ve always wanted to go somewhere and be part of something bigger. I love public speaking and I love interviews. And I believe Miss Achievement is a really good way to boost your self-confidence.”
About Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador
Miss Achievement is an opportunity for participants to strengthen their self-esteem and public speaking and essay writing skills, says co-chair Kathy Dicks-Peyton.
Participants are also interviewed by a panel of judges and take part in physical fitness challenges, Ms. Dicks-Peyton says.
Since 2006 Miss Achievement has awarded nearly $50,000 in scholarships.
Ms. Dicks-Peyton says the participants’ achievements raise community awareness about the positive contributions youth make to this province.
While there are numerous monetary and in-kind scholarships and awards up for grabs, Ms. Dicks-Peyton says Miss Achievement isn’t all about winning.
“Our theme for this year is showcasing brilliance. These are the young women who will be tomorrow’s leaders. Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador is a personal development weekend. It’s an opportunity we’d like to offer to all young women in this province.”
You can support Miss Adams and Miss Clark by voting online in the Miss Achievement Provincial Airlines Community Pride Award. Send an e-mail to: communitypride@missachievement.com and type one name in the subject line of the e-mail. Votes can also be cast by visiting www.missachievement.com.One vote per day per e-mail address will be accepted until midnight on October 28.
danette@nl.rogers.com
