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Miss Chase program on hold

Miss Chase Excellence is taking a break after more than 40 years.
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Miss Chase Excellence is taking a break after more than 40 years.

With only two candidates, chairperson Jacquie Everett said it’s too much work to continue.

Miss Chase Excellence needs six participants. Of the two signed up, one is in Grade 10.

“I can’t do it with one girl,” she said.

Last year, Miss Chase had six participants, and in previous years they had as many as 14, said Everett.

“I think because the number of Grade 11 girls are dropping and I think because girls have to work, they have weekend jobs,” she said.

Everett stressed that Miss Chase is not only about beauty.

“It’s not a beauty contest,” she said. “It’s teaching women to be more aware of the world.”

The program entails six months of studying the history of Chase and its surrounding areas, car-care classes, the fundamentals of banking, public speaking, essay writing and skin care.

“We have one class on skin care just so that teenage girls wash their face,” she laughed. “They (also) have to learn how to change the oil in a car.”

Public speaking is an important part of Miss Chase.

“They must present a speech between three to five minutes (long) with no podium and no notes,” she said.

The participants will also learn the basics of banking.

“They think using their bank cards five times a day is free (until the program).”

Miss Chase Excellence runs after school hours, from 3 p.m. to 5, twice a week, in the Chase Community Hall.

The participants must be Grade 11 students at Chase Secondary.

Everett said Miss Chase Excellence would consider having boys in the program, but there would have to be enough participants, as it would double her expenses to hire separate rooms and chaperones.

Weekends are spent at local events, representing the community. They do volunteer work such as dish washing at local events in order to fundraise for clothing and the lessons.

“The Chase village has been very supportive,” she said.

For more information call Everett at 250-675-2574.

Participants must live in Chase.