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Big Valley girl heading to Calgary to compete

When Tennille Daychief saw her friends liking the Miss Teen Alberta competition on Facebook, she went along to see what it was all about.
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Big Valley's Tennille Daychief signed up to represent Drumheller-Stettler in the Miss Teen Alberta competition on a lark

When Tennille Daychief saw her friends liking the Miss Teen Alberta competition on Facebook, she went along to see what it was all about.

By the time she was done perusing the page, she submitted an entry “on a whim,” she said, to represent Drumheller- Stettler.

“There were only five days left to apply,” she explained, noting that she didn't expect anything to come of the application.

A short time later, she received an email to do an interview with the Miss Teen Alberta staff via Skype, and before she knew it, Daychief was the representative for Drumheller-Stettler.

“It happened so fast,” she said.

Due to her late entry, Daychief's way behind her competitors, who have had up to a month to fundraise for the competition's cause as well as sell tickets for the event. How she does in this regard is part of her final score, and she's only got until the day of the competition, March 21

“There's a lot I need to do,” she said.

Daychief's trying to raise money for the charity while trying to raise some to help cover her expenses. “I never expected to be chosen.”

The competition itself is held in Calgary and will feature a formal wear, swimwear and talent competition. Daychief has managed to secure a dress for the competition from a former employer, a loan that will hopefully see her stand out from the other girls.

The 14-year-old William E. Hay student will showcase her singing ability as her talent.

“I've been singing since my parents got me a karaoke machine,” she recalled. “I think the first song I sang was some Hannah Montana song.”

Her taste in music has matured along with her, and today she cites Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber as two of her musical role models.

“Selena is such a nice person,” Daychief said of the musician. “She's kindhearted. She perseveres and doesn't let anyone bring her down.”

Though Bieber's been in the media in the past few years for his naughty behaviour, it's not his behaviour Daychief finds speaks to her, but his music.

“'Believe' is the song that helps me believe in myself,” she said, explaining that when things are tough, she turns to it to pump up her self-esteem. “'Never say Never' helps me keep going and not quit.”

If Daychief is successful at the competition, she'll head to Toronto later this year to compete for Miss Teen Canada.

Success there would send her on to compete on the international stage.

Daychief said she's not thinking about winning but rather just about the experience.

“Winning would be nice, but I'm just really excited to do this,” she said.

Family and friends have been really supportive and have helped her with fundraising efforts, buying tickets and making donations.

Anyone who would like to buy a ticket to the events on March 21-22, or would like to donate to the charity for Daychief, can do so by emailing her at skywavradio@gmail.com or by phoning 403-876-0002.