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.

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

It乌鸦传媒檚 particularly meaningful since the charity pageant involves raising funds for Cops for Cancer, and supporting children who have the disease.

乌鸦传媒淚 know how much it can change your life,乌鸦传媒� she said of the disease that took her mother乌鸦传媒檚 life. 乌鸦传媒淗onestly I乌鸦传媒檝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 I乌鸦传媒檓 here.乌鸦传媒�

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.

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

Talking about it helps, she added.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Solem said she乌鸦传媒檚 grateful for her main sponsor, Lucy Clothing in Langley, which is providing her pageant attire.

乌鸦传媒淭hey have clothing for the curvy plus-size woman, which I am and proud to be,乌鸦传媒� 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