Siera Bearchell was crowned Miss Universe Canada on Saturday night in Toronto, topping a field of more than 60 national finalists vying for the right to represent the country in Miss Universe 2016 in Las Vegas in December.
The 23-year-old from Moose Jaw, Sask., recently completed her second year of studies in the College of Law at the U of S.
“I knew coming into the competition that I had a good chance at winning, but you never know what can happen,” Bearchell was quoted in a CBC News Saskatoon story. “I just kept telling myself to be myself, enjoy the moment on stage.”
Bearchell, who ran the Saskatchewan Marathon in Saskatoon on May 29, had recently been battling tonsillitis in the week before the Miss Universe Canada pageant but took part in all of the required interviews, speaking engagements and photo shoots. Bearchell was the first runner-up in the 2013 Miss Universe Canada pageant and was also the first runner-up in Miss Supranational 2015 in Poland.
More on Bearchell’s victory is available here.