Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
A Napanee gym owner is hoping to silence a few stereotypes about pageant entrants as she competes for a Miss Ontario World crown this weekend.
Meighen Hodgen is approaching her time in the spotlight mindful of the importance of being herself, celebrating inner beauty as well as outer, and being an inspiration for younger girls.
“I want to sway from the stereotypical pageant girl or model, so to speak. I’m bringing in muscularity and confidence,” she said. “It’s not about that thin image that society wants. It’s strong and sexy to have muscle and be strong and independent.”
Hodgen thought the skills she’s developed doing fitness competitions through the Ontario Physique Association would translate well into beauty pageants and, so far, the pageant’s directors have agreed.
After she sent them her bio and resume, Hodgen had to complete a Skype interview to gain access to the pageant. The scrutiny didn’t bother her at all.
“I feel like I’m fairly confident with the interview portions,” she said. “It’s the experience I have as well as being a gym owner and leading different classes in my community.”
A University of Waterloo kinesiology grad, Hodgen was also quite comfortable talking about the pageant’s chosen charity, Cardiac Kids, a volunteer-driven organization raising money to help children with congenital heart disease at Sick Kids Hospital.
After all, in addition to her work as a trainer at Diamond Fitness, she works with cardiac patients daily at the Lennox and Addington County Hospital, where she administers stress tests. She also serves the Victorian Order of Nurses as its stroke services co-ordinator for Greater Kingston.
Hodgen says she’s also had young family members who have been helped by Sick Kids, so there’s a personal desire to help.
After putting in work to get stage ready — hoping to show she has the best physique of any competitor, and receiving the help of local businesses like Touch of Wellness and Lily’s Bridal to perfect her presentation, showtime comes Saturday.
Hodgen said after registration in the morning, she’ll go through a series of workshops and training Saturday. They’ll also do interview and bikini competitions. Sunday, there will be an evening gown competition.
The judges will be scoring the women on personality, ability to communicate, stage presence, charm, commitment to community, beauty, fitness, and confidence — and Hodgen said they don’t stop watching.
“Throughout the weekend, they’re watching you on your personality and how you represent yourself, your composure and interaction with the judges,” she said.
Remembering her fitness competition experience, Hodgen said it’s exciting to be able to meet other competitors and learn from them.
“It’s really inspiring to see other people and see their stories through fitness or through this competition, networking and talking about who they are, what they’re about, and why they’re doing it,” she said. “Everyone has a purpose or they wouldn’t do it.”
While she’s driven to show her own form of beauty, Hodgen is also excited about representing her community on the provincial stage and possibly the national stage.
“I lived here my whole life. I went away for four years for school and came back,” she said. “It means a lot to me, especially owning a business in the town.”
Hodgen said she’s been encouraged by the support community partners and her members have shown.
“I’ve just had great support and motivation so far, mostly through social media,” she said. “Everyone is wishing me luck and helping me through these final days before the competition.”
Hodgen is hopeful she can represent Napanee further at the Miss World Canada final.
Only 15 women from Ontario will advance to that pageant in July, though for the past two years, a winner from this province has gone on to represent the country internationally.
Hodgen said being involved in pageants can be a costly venture and noted she is looking for further sponsorship, whether cash or in-kind. She can be reached at 613-929-5132.