Miss Sun & Salsa, Miss Teen Southern Alberta-World, Sun Princess at the Lilac Festival

I have always loved parades, I used to love going to them, any parade that I could find I was there in an instant. But as a little girl I dreamed of being in a parade. Last weekend, I got an e-mail from Lisa Harrigan my pageant coach asking me if I had any plans for the weekend and if I wanted to be in a parade for the Lilac Festival. My heart missed a beat and I e-mailed back instantly thanking Lisa an immense amount. She said I would be in the parade carrying a banner for her Miss Sun & Salsa pageant that she directs, and being a representative of the Miss Teen Canada-World pageant. It was a warm day, and I could tell the parade was going to turn out many people. The main parade street was almost packed with people when I arrived! I took a deep breath of the culture that surrounded me. It's amazing how many different people are in Calgary! 

I stood with Hannah, Miss Sun & Salsa 2008 and soon a chinese newspaper reporter came over and took our picture! We posed and she asked us some questions about the Lilac Festival, and about our titles into a small black recorder. I was so thrilled! It was my first major interview as Miss Teen Southern Alberta-World! The Sun Princess soon arrived, and we got into our Environmentally Friendly ride. It was painted a very vibrant red, and It said on the back "Green Solutions can be Bright Red!" It was pulled by a very friendly man on a bike. I felt proud to not be producing carbon emissions for a parade. (I am very environmentally conscious) The sun Princess and I ended up pulling a banner advertising the Sun & Salsa Festival. As We were riding down the street, everyone there had a camera out and was either snapping pictures, or making a video. I got my photo taken so much, I felt like an A list celebrity! It was an amazing experience.I love to make appearances. I think it may be one of my favorite parts about being a Miss Teen canada-World delegate. I hope to make many more appearances not just at parades, but at charity events. So where in Calgary is Sarah Striga!? You never know where I'll pop up next, so look out Calgary [=

Since being crowned as Miss Teen Southern Alberta-World, I have been offered many amazing opportunities to make a difference in my community. Some things I have done that have made awareness to my title and awareness to a good cause are Purple Day for epilepsy awareness, the 32nd Annual Mothers Day Run and Walk which is held every year on mothers day to help buy equipment for the Calgary Health Trust, and the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, and I had the pleasure of singing Oh Canada at the Semi-Final game of the Esso Cup. These opportunities have been wonderful and amazing to start with. I am currently lining up a few more appearances, so look out Calgary you never know where you'll see me next

PURPLE DAY

This was my first appearance as Miss Teen Southern Alberta-World. The opportunities came so fast, that I didn't even have my sash mailed to me in time! It is such a weird and exhilarating experience to walk into a room and know that people are watching your every move, yet I did not once feel nervous. I carried myself with confidence and proudly handed out cookies with a purple lei on my neck and a pair of salad tossers in my hand to any passers by. I yelled Free Cookies! For epilepsy awareness! I turned many heads, and heard many touching stories. It's amazing how many people can have a potentially fatal disease that can drastically effect their lives, and you could never know it.
 I next went to City Hall where I spoke out about Stigma and Stereotypes, where I had the chance to meet the Deputy Mayor Jim stevenson and the Alderman Dale Hodges. This was a great experience because they both have a very powerful positive influence on Calgary. Cassidy Megan, A nine-year old girl who lives in Nova Scotia, Canada founded purple day and made it so well known, that the entire globe will be wearing purple on March 26 2009. I feel very honored to be a representative of this organization.
 (See link for more information) http://www.purpleday.org/calgary.pdf

MOTHERS DAY RUN AND WALK

I was honored to be able to participate in the 32nd Annual Mothers Day Run and Walk. This was one of my favorite events to participate in, since my mother used to be a runner it made me feel proud that I could slip on her old running shoes and carry on her legacy. This year's fundraiser supported the Calgary Health Trust (Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nurseries). And the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation in Edmonton. At the finish line every female whether they were mother, Daughter, Grandmother, Baby, or anything in-between received a rose for their effort, dedication and spirit. I was able to participate in this event with two close friends of mine. Wendy Huang, and Amithisste Multerer-Zarda. (Miss Teen Alberta-World, Miss Teen South Calgary-World) I loved being able to share the feelings of happiness, friendship, and love with these two remarkable ladies. We were able to hand out gift bags to the participants of the little legs race, and we had a wondrous time dancing at Olympic Plaza with some of the younger children.
 During the two days before the big race, Amithisste and I volonteered to hand out this years race T-shirts, and help to sell last years remaining T-shirts. We met a large variety of interesting people, and made some new friends along the way.

SINGING OH CANADA AT THE SEMI FINALS OF THE ESSO CUP

I have always been a singer. Even as a little girl, performing, singing, dancing, acting, modeling, etc. So when I had the chance to sing Oh Canada at the Esso Cup, I was so happy, I could barely contain myself! I went through a set of auditions to make it to the Semi-Finals, and being on the soft red carpet rolled out  onto the ice, holding a microphone, wearing my sash and crown, feeling the many sets of eyes on me. The only word I can think of to describe this feeling, is a rush of excitement and fear.. The knowledge that every single pair of ears is hanging on to my every note is a thrillling experience. I am happily awaiting more chances to promote my new title and some good causes that are close to my heart. So where in Calgary is Sarah Striga!? Who knows where next, but keep your eyes and ears open, I'll be seeing you soon [=

ABOUT ME

My name is Sarah Ashley Striga, I have recently been crowned Miss Teen Southern Alberta-World at the Miss Teen Alberta-World Pageant. This pageant has been such an exhilarating experience for me as it has taught me how not only to love myself, but to love others around me as well. I remember the day my life changed very well, it sticks out in my many memories as one of the happiest, most proud moments in my life. Standing in my seven inch heels on the stage at the Telus Convention center, waiting anxiously to hear Miss Jessica Tsang (Whom I knew through previous modeling shows) announce my name, I knew that these next few minutes could alter my life drastically. My heart was racing and my feet were hurting, but I was so caught up in the moment, I didn't notice any of the pain. Miss Tsang announced that it was the top three contestants left to be crowned. I silently prayed to god that my name would be called, and god answered my prayers. As I took my first walk across the stage as Miss Teen Southern Alberta-World, I felt a wave of relief and happiness wash over me. I had finally defeated the plague of bullying that I had faced throughout all my years of schooling, I felt strong and proud. Empowered you could say. So I vowed to myself silently while Katie Starke (Miss Teen Canada-World) crowned me, that I would tell children and teens everywhere that everyone has a talent and the more you throw yourself into that talent, the more success you will have which leads to overall self confidence.

THE QUOTE I LIVE BY

"No-one is good at everything, but everyone is good at something." This is a quote that I live by. It makes me feel confident about myself, and feel not afraid to try new things, to throw myself into new hobbies and activities headfirst without a second thought. It makes me feel proud of myself to the point where I don't care what my peers think about me as much, and I am not afraid to fail. After all, no-one is perfect. everyone has flaws and things they need to work on. But every single person on the earth is talented at something, or gifted in some way, which is why my platform in the 2009 Miss Teen Canada-World pageant is to help children uncover their secret talents and abilities.