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.

sa国际传媒淚 entered Miss BC when I was younger and unfortunately I had to drop out because my mom was diagnosed with cancer,sa国际传媒� said Solem. sa国际传媒淪o this is kind of like a second chance for me, and when I got accepted I was over the moon.sa国际传媒�

Itsa国际传媒檚 particularly meaningful since the charity pageant involves raising funds for Cops for Cancer, and supporting children who have the disease.

sa国际传媒淚 know how much it can change your life,sa国际传媒� she said of the disease that took her mothersa国际传媒檚 life. sa国际传媒淗onestly Isa国际传媒檝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 Isa国际传媒檓 here.sa国际传媒�

See also:

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.

sa国际传媒淚 have suffered from anxiety most of my life and it does stem from the abuse I suffered when I was a child,sa国际传媒� said Solem. sa国际传媒淏ut Isa国际传媒檓 a survivor.sa国际传媒�

Talking about it helps, she added.

sa国际传媒淭he reason I shared that about myself in my biography was to raise awareness and inspire other women who have been abused,sa国际传媒� said Solem. sa国际传媒淚t doesnsa国际传媒檛 encompass who you are, and theresa国际传媒檚 no need to bottle it up.sa国际传媒�

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

sa国际传媒淏eing a part of this pageant I really had to push myself,sa国际传媒� she said, sa国际传媒渁nd become comfortable in situations I normally wouldnsa国际传媒檛 be.sa国际传媒�

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

sa国际传媒淚 just want them to see itsa国际传媒檚 important to have a voice and be active in shaping the future,sa国际传媒� Solem said, sa国际传媒渁nd what you can do if you put your mind to it.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淚t was absolutely a wonderful experience,sa国际传媒� she recalled. sa国际传媒淚 learned so much from my parents and the children in my life. To love unconditionally. I really learned compassion.sa国际传媒�

Solem said shesa国际传媒檚 grateful for her main sponsor, Lucy Clothing in Langley, which is providing her pageant attire.

sa国际传媒淭hey have clothing for the curvy plus-size woman, which I am and proud to be,sa国际传媒� 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
Like us on Follow us on and follow Amy on