Strathmore advocate prepares for international pageantry title

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Twenty-one year old Helena Tallon went from hiding in the classroom’s back row and fear of public speaking to emceeing events and talking to large crowds as part of her commitment to advocate for body positivity and Childhood Cancer Canada – efforts that will help the pageant winner compete for an international title next year.
Tallon represented Strathmore and Alberta at a national pageant in July where she brought home the title of 2018-19 National Canadian Royal Miss, the spirit award and the talent award for her age group.
As a result, Tallon has a chance to represent Canada internationally, motivating her to focus her attention on volunteer work and public engagement for the next 12 months.
“This is the best I’ve done so far, and it will be hard to top it even if I do place again because this is kind of the first time that I was able to go to that level and come home,” Tallon said.
“I’m not a typical pageant girl. I’m not 6 feet, I’m not size zero or size two, and I just want to show that you can be confident and love who you are without having to fit these parameters, because this is what beautiful is.”
Tallon competed in her first pageant at the age of 19 in 2015, when she flew to Toronto and returned with the Miss Petite Central British Columbia title. Since then she’s participated in Miss Canada Globe, various smaller day pageants, and two national competitions. Landing her title of 2018 National Canadian Miss Alberta provided her the chance to compete in the national pageant from July 17-21.
Because she doesn’t work with a coach, Tallon relies on the advice of her friends who are also involved in pageantry, and credits her boyfriend of two years for all the behind-the-scenes support. Often that includes providing transportation, taking photos, joining in on volunteer efforts, picking out dresses, videotaping her walking in heels while in her pyjamas and having questions prepared when prompted at a moment’s notice.
Tallon’s platform raises awareness for childhood cancer, which she became aware of after spotting bracelets supporting the cause in a clothing franchise. After some research, she reached out to the director of Childhood Cancer Canada and met her well before she embarked on her pageantry endeavours. She’s also an advocate for body positivity and recognizes the challenges she’ll be facing at the international level.
“There are a lot of people who are not able to be a voice because they’re not able to be heard, and so I wanted to help with that,” she said.
“I am proud of who I am because when you get there, there’s going to be someone who says that you weigh too much, or your teeth aren’t straight or aren’t perfect. It’s just a matter of being able to shrug it off and saying thanks for the feedback, and still going on to compete without it holding you back.”
Having won the 2018-19 National Canadian Royal Miss means Tallon is expected to put in hours of volunteer work and make appearances at public events. Her goal is to attend a minimum of two events a month, and she plans on possibly taking part in events such as Hope Bridge’s Artists Among Us gala, the Newsy Neighbour Get to Know Your Neighbour festival, Believe in Gold gala, Canada Day and the 57 Roses Princess gala. Tallon will also be fundraising for her trip through raffles, fundraisers, and silent auctions that will include auctioning off some of her previously acquired crowns. Additionally, she plans to give back 50 per cent of the money raised to Childhood Cancer Canada, the local food bank and Happy Cat Sanctuary.
“They want us to use our title the best we can,” she said. “I’ll do whatever I can to do more and to promote myself and be a good role model. To change the views of what pageantry is, because a lot of people just see the pretty faces and think that it’s all about parading around, and that’s really not what it’s about at all.”