For Stephanie Solem, entering the is an opportunity to inspire others who struggle with anxiety and push past her own challenges in life.

This Canada Day weekend, the Surrey resident will take a second shot at winning the pageant.

91裸聊视频淚 entered Miss BC when I was younger and unfortunately I had to drop out because my mom was diagnosed with cancer,91裸聊视频� said Solem. 91裸聊视频淪o this is kind of like a second chance for me, and when I got accepted I was over the moon.91裸聊视频�

It91裸聊视频檚 particularly meaningful since the charity pageant involves raising funds for Cops for Cancer, and supporting children who have the disease.

91裸聊视频淚 know how much it can change your life,91裸聊视频� she said of the disease that took her mother91裸聊视频檚 life. 91裸聊视频淗onestly I91裸聊视频檝e always had a drive to make a difference. To live a meaningful life. Losing my mom at such a young age I learned how short life can be. I want to make a difference while I91裸聊视频檓 here.91裸聊视频�

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See also:

See also:

The pageant is also an opportunity for Solem to face her anxiety, which she says is the result of childhood sexual abuse.

91裸聊视频淚 have suffered from anxiety most of my life and it does stem from the abuse I suffered when I was a child,91裸聊视频� said Solem. 91裸聊视频淏ut I91裸聊视频檓 a survivor.91裸聊视频�

Talking about it helps, she added.

91裸聊视频淭he reason I shared that about myself in my biography was to raise awareness and inspire other women who have been abused,91裸聊视频� said Solem. 91裸聊视频淚t doesn91裸聊视频檛 encompass who you are, and there91裸聊视频檚 no need to bottle it up.91裸聊视频�

But she acknowledged the anxiety she battles with makes it hard to put herself out there.

91裸聊视频淏eing a part of this pageant I really had to push myself,91裸聊视频� she said, 91裸聊视频渁nd become comfortable in situations I normally wouldn91裸聊视频檛 be.91裸聊视频�

In addition to inspiring others who have anxiety and are overcoming abuse, she hopes to inspire her two children, ages two and five.

91裸聊视频淚 just want them to see it91裸聊视频檚 important to have a voice and be active in shaping the future,91裸聊视频� Solem said, 91裸聊视频渁nd what you can do if you put your mind to it.91裸聊视频�

Solem, now a wife and stay-at-home mom, was a trained nurse for five years before having children.

She herself grew up with foster parents, and 10 siblings, in Tsawwassen.

91裸聊视频淚t was absolutely a wonderful experience,91裸聊视频� she recalled. 91裸聊视频淚 learned so much from my parents and the children in my life. To love unconditionally. I really learned compassion.91裸聊视频�

Solem said she91裸聊视频檚 grateful for her main sponsor, Lucy Clothing in Langley, which is providing her pageant attire.

91裸聊视频淭hey have clothing for the curvy plus-size woman, which I am and proud to be,91裸聊视频� she said.

The Miss, Miss Teen, Jr. Miss and Mrs. BC Pageant will run from June 30 to July 2 in Fort Langley, with the pageant finale set for 6:30 p.m. at the Chief Sepass Theatre (9096 Trattle St., Langley) on July 2.

Visit for more information and to see a complete list of contestants across the province.

amy.reid@surreynowleader.com
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