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.

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

It害羞草研究所檚 particularly meaningful since the charity pageant involves raising funds for Cops for Cancer, and supporting children who have the disease.

害羞草研究所淚 know how much it can change your life,害羞草研究所� she said of the disease that took her mother害羞草研究所檚 life. 害羞草研究所淗onestly I害羞草研究所檝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害羞草研究所檓 here.害羞草研究所�

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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.

害羞草研究所淚 have suffered from anxiety most of my life and it does stem from the abuse I suffered when I was a child,害羞草研究所� said Solem. 害羞草研究所淏ut I害羞草研究所檓 a survivor.害羞草研究所�

Talking about it helps, she added.

害羞草研究所淭he reason I shared that about myself in my biography was to raise awareness and inspire other women who have been abused,害羞草研究所� said Solem. 害羞草研究所淚t doesn害羞草研究所檛 encompass who you are, and there害羞草研究所檚 no need to bottle it up.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淏eing a part of this pageant I really had to push myself,害羞草研究所� she said, 害羞草研究所渁nd become comfortable in situations I normally wouldn害羞草研究所檛 be.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淚 just want them to see it害羞草研究所檚 important to have a voice and be active in shaping the future,害羞草研究所� Solem said, 害羞草研究所渁nd what you can do if you put your mind to it.害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淚t was absolutely a wonderful experience,害羞草研究所� she recalled. 害羞草研究所淚 learned so much from my parents and the children in my life. To love unconditionally. I really learned compassion.害羞草研究所�

Solem said she害羞草研究所檚 grateful for her main sponsor, Lucy Clothing in Langley, which is providing her pageant attire.

害羞草研究所淭hey have clothing for the curvy plus-size woman, which I am and proud to be,害羞草研究所� 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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