For Stephanie Solem, entering the is an opportunity to inspire others who struggle with anxiety and push past her own challenges in life.

This Canada Day weekend, the Surrey resident will take a second shot at winning the pageant.

鈥淚 entered Miss BC when I was younger and unfortunately I had to drop out because my mom was diagnosed with cancer,鈥� said Solem. 鈥淪o this is kind of like a second chance for me, and when I got accepted I was over the moon.鈥�

It鈥檚 particularly meaningful since the charity pageant involves raising funds for Cops for Cancer, and supporting children who have the disease.

鈥淚 know how much it can change your life,鈥� she said of the disease that took her mother鈥檚 life. 鈥淗onestly I鈥檝e always had a drive to make a difference. To live a meaningful life. Losing my mom at such a young age I learned how short life can be. I want to make a difference while I鈥檓 here.鈥�

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See also:

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The pageant is also an opportunity for Solem to face her anxiety, which she says is the result of childhood sexual abuse.

鈥淚 have suffered from anxiety most of my life and it does stem from the abuse I suffered when I was a child,鈥� said Solem. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 a survivor.鈥�

Talking about it helps, she added.

鈥淭he reason I shared that about myself in my biography was to raise awareness and inspire other women who have been abused,鈥� said Solem. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 encompass who you are, and there鈥檚 no need to bottle it up.鈥�

But she acknowledged the anxiety she battles with makes it hard to put herself out there.

鈥淏eing a part of this pageant I really had to push myself,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd become comfortable in situations I normally wouldn鈥檛 be.鈥�

In addition to inspiring others who have anxiety and are overcoming abuse, she hopes to inspire her two children, ages two and five.

鈥淚 just want them to see it鈥檚 important to have a voice and be active in shaping the future,鈥� Solem said, 鈥渁nd what you can do if you put your mind to it.鈥�

Solem, now a wife and stay-at-home mom, was a trained nurse for five years before having children.

She herself grew up with foster parents, and 10 siblings, in Tsawwassen.

鈥淚t was absolutely a wonderful experience,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚 learned so much from my parents and the children in my life. To love unconditionally. I really learned compassion.鈥�

Solem said she鈥檚 grateful for her main sponsor, Lucy Clothing in Langley, which is providing her pageant attire.

鈥淭hey have clothing for the curvy plus-size woman, which I am and proud to be,鈥� she said.

The Miss, Miss Teen, Jr. Miss and Mrs. BC Pageant will run from June 30 to July 2 in Fort Langley, with the pageant finale set for 6:30 p.m. at the Chief Sepass Theatre (9096 Trattle St., Langley) on July 2.

Visit for more information and to see a complete list of contestants across the province.

amy.reid@surreynowleader.com
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