Samantha Sewell (submitted image)

By Kevin Rothwell

Preschool owner lives her message

Vernon pageant queen eyes another title

Jul 17, 2023 | 6:00 AM

A local business owner is off to Florida to represent Canada at the Miss Universal Global international pageant at the end of this month

Samantha Sewell, a five-time national titleholder winner, will be headed to Orlando on July 24 to be Canada’s representative for the “Miss” title. She has won 11 more titles since winning Miss Teen Okanagan in 2015.

Sewell owns and manages Raising Stars Preschool Ltd. which opened last year to “create a more inclusive start to school for preschool aged children.” Her platform in pageantry is be someone’s hero, not a bystander, which Sewell teaches children and adults how to stand up and look for the signs of bullying.

When Sewell was two years old, she was diagnosed with Apraxia of Speech, a rare neurological disorder that makes it difficult to create words from thoughts. Sewell had to learn how to speak by learning each mouth movement for sounds. She now embraces her disability and is no longer embarrassed by her “Apraxia accent.”

Sewell hopes that by competing and winning titles she can show every child that regardless of any barriers present, you can still achieve your dreams and make an impact.

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The Miss Universal Global pageant emphasizes culture and Sewell plans to display Canadian culture on the pageant stage as well as the disability culture that she is proud to be a part of.

Sewell will compete in Interviews, National costume, Evening Gown, and Casual wear with scores from those going towards the international crown. While she will compete in Black wear, Pink wear, Swimsuit, Fashion wear, photogenic, and denim wear towards optional prizes and the title of “Super Model.”

“Becoming the next Miss Universal Global would be a complete honor. I would be able to put my platform of Be Someone’s Hero, Not a Bystander, on an international platform. Showing children, youth, and adults worldwide that a disability does not define what you can or can not do. I would be able to raise awareness on how to stand up to bullying internationally,” Sewell said

Peoples Choice voting is now on. The public can vote or share https://www.pageantplanet.com/event/miss-universal-global-2023.

The winner of Peoples Choice will be able to donate funds towards a charity of their choice, or their entry next year. Sewell will donate the funds to The Apraxia Foundation if she wins.