Hey Everyone,

Wow! It has been a while since I have written in my blog. Last time I wrote in my blog I was in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. From there, I travelled to Toronto for the Miss Teen Canada-World 2010 competition. I really enjoyed touring around Toronto! We did many great things such as the Hippo Bus Tour, Latin dance lessons, touring many excellent restaurants, and my favourite- the CN Tower.

During the competition week we rehearsed a LOT! We learned our bikini dance to "California Girls" by Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg, and our opening number choreographed by Omar White. I love dancing so I had a lot of fun participating in these activities. The best part of my trip was definitely meeting all of the amazing girls on the trip. I realized that these girls are awesome because we all have a lot in common. We are all fighting for great causes and all of the girls were such beautiful people. I also made a new best friend who I know I will keep in touch with for a long time- my room mate Shelby Gobbo. I do not know who chose to pair us up- but whoever it was is a genious. I actually love her- she is hilarious, gorgeous, and a really trusting person. I am so glad that she was my roomie!

Although I was disappointed that I did not make the Top 20, I know that I took a lot away from the experience. I will continue to represent my title as Miss Teen PEI World 2010. I think back on Toronto and know that it was an experience I am glad that I got to take part in!

Now that I am back in Prince Edward Island I am working and dancing. When leaving the Toronto competition I actually injured myself pretty badly, but I am healing really fast and did my first dance practice in two weeks today.

Keep reading for updates! I have some awesome events coming up and I will post pictures!

Love you all!

Miss Teen PEI World 2010- Brooklyn Tchozewski

Okay, so today is the Canadian Inter-Provincial Dance Championships! It is day 3 of 5 competitions- and I am already extremely sore! However, I am super excited for tonight as we have a Banquet that honours the Provincial Representatives from each province. Day one of the series was Choreography day, and day two was Highlands day, tomorrow is Nationals day, and day five is the North American Championships. So far day one and two have gone really great!

In the midst of all things, I am still thinking about Miss Teen Canada-World! I can't wait, and I am positive that everyone around me is tired of hearing me talk about how excited I am to go to Toronto! I am a bit disappointed that I cannot be there until the Sunday, but I am also happy that I can still compete in all of the competitions in the Dance series.

What I have learned from dancing and these extremely competitive competitions is that if you stay positive, good things come your way. There is nothing worse than going into a competition stressed and negative. Even though I am in a lot of pain because of my achilles tendinitis, I know that if I stay strong, take care of my health, and stay positive, that this experience will be more than  just enjoyable. =)

PS- 2 days until Toronto!

Yours,

Miss Teen PEI-World

Oprah’s Angel Network, founded in 1997, works around the world to ensure that people have an opportunity to live their lives to the highest standard possible. The charity supports other charitable organizations such as the Free The Children Foundation in helping them achieve goals like building schools globally.

Oprah’s Angel Network has accomplished a great amount in the last thirteen years. Some of these global accomplishments include: Building 55 schools in 12 different countries with Free The Children, providing millions of dollars in school supplies, uniforms, and shoes to over 18,000 South African children, helping families during hurricane Katrina with maintaining a normal daily lifestyle by helping to restore homes, and by giving attention to girls, young women, and their needs around the world.

Not only does the Oprah’s Angel Network help to rebuild the lives of the less fortunate, but the charity also has specific projects and project goals that they continuously work toward. Their projects include the O Ambassador, a school-based program in partnership with Free The Children that encourages young people to become responsible global citizens. Another project that the Angel Network is involved in is Rebuilding the Gulf Coast. This project is helping to rebuild the ruins of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. The Angel Network is one of the foundations that stepped up to help America in their time of need to address the flooding and ruins of Hurricane Katrina. Another very important and successful project that Oprah’s Angel Network has is the Creating Schools Project in South Africa. The Network builds schools in poor areas, contributing to a positive lifestyle where hope can be restored.

The benefits of this organization are endless. Helping people and giving back to our community is so positive. Not only is the Network helping people around the world, but it is benefiting other helpful organizations around the world such as Free The Children. Since Oprah’s Angel Network supplies funds to many other charitable foundations, Free The Children benefits from their gracious support. In return, Oprah`s Angel Network benefits by having a broader team such as Free The Children who have similar goals in mind for their foundation. If one thing is true it is that when people come together we can accomplish our goals.

News Links:

http://bx.businessweek.com/oprah-angel-network/news/

http://www.everythingoprah.com/2010/01/oprah-winfreys-angel-network-donates-one-million-to-haiti-relief.html

http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/sunspeaks/ian_shanley/2009/07/09/10079621.html

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2010/15/c2861.html

Sources:

http://oprahsangelnetwork.org/

http://freethechildren.com

If I were to have a television show, there is no doubt in my mind that I would choose to have a teen talk show! I am very interested in communications, and am going into journalism next year at the University of Prince Edward Island. My show would aim to encourage youth and teens globally to embrace their own individuality, and to educate our adults of tomorrow about arising issues in today’s society. The talk show would educate people on fitness, good nutrition, and health-related issues such as drugs and alcohol. Most youth are not fully informed in these areas, and, there are still many questions that need to be answered. In this case, on certain days of the show, I would encourage people of any age to call in and ask questions so that I could help them gain knowledge in the health area of their choice.

I would love for my program to be an hour in length so we could have in-depth conversations about specific topics. It would also give me the opportunity to invite guests onto the show who have knowledge in these areas such as Dr.Oz, Dr. Phil, and Oprah. One of the goals with my talk show would be to open the eyes of youth and young adults to issues that are not often spoken about. For instance, drugs and alcohol are often experimented with at a young age by young teens who do not recognize the harmful outcomes of the substances they are using. Taking care of ourselves is so important to living a happy, healthy lifestyle. When people are taking care of themselves they feel good about themselves, leading to a positive chain reaction.

Since my show is focused on bettering the adults of tomorrow and it is educational to public, FRANK Ideas and Execution would graciously sponsor to set up my own webpage, online questionnaires, and video clips of previous shows. The website would include daily nutritious recipes and new strengthening exercises to try! Not only will FRANK Ideas and Execution sponsor my television show, but Faze Media would also feature a monthly article about the show, featuring favourite health facts and answered questions from previous shows from that month! Both these companies would choose to sponsor my show because the youth of today are the adults of tomorrow, and to keep our generations to come healthy, we need to start doing whatever we can to create a healthier, educated community.

Last but not least, I would want my television show to broadcast around the world to educate people on things that are overlooked or things that people are embarrassed to speak about.. This could bring attention to important issues and even save lives! I think that the more interesting facts and the more we educate people on things that they did not know, the more interested everyone would become in the show and the more value it would have. I think my show would be a great hit with not only teens, but with all age groups!

Hey everyone,

So it is almost time to head to Toronto for Miss Teen Canada World 2010! I am so excited, yet a little bit nervous! I cannot wait to meet all of the girls that I have been Facebooking, and to reunite with the lovely girls from the Maritimes Pageant. I cannot believe how fast the Pageant is coming up!

I have been super busy these last couple of weeks, hence why I haven't been writing in my blog as much as I would like to! I work full time at the College of Piping & Celtic Performing Arts of Canada. As the end of the year rolled around, it was time for our year end recital. The team at the College put together such a nice recital for our visitors, grandparents, and parents of the dancers. Not only was the recital a big job, but I was the competition chair of the Prince Edward Island Open Highland Dance Competition. I got to do some really neat things like hiring a judge, creating an entry form, registering the dancers, creating a program of events, creating judges sheets so that the judges can mark the dancers, and setting up the venue! This was a great experience for me because I am so young. To gain experience in dance in any way was a pleasure for me, although the work load seemed very heavy at times.

I am currently on a break from our "Highland Storm" rehearsals. We have had 7 hour rehearsals all last week and this week to prepare for our professional show that happens every year. The show consists of highland dancing, step dancing, snare drumming, bag piping, fiddle, keyboard, flute, and vocals. There are also some great acting scenes in the show. Our director this year is Stephanie Cadman who is absolutely amazing. She has a way with arranging things on stage and making them look new and fresh. All of us are very sore- but it's such an amazing experience.

I am also preparing to compete at the Canadian Inter-Provincial Championships for Highland dance on July 9th. This competition is a lot like the Miss Teen Canada-World Pageant in the way that you must qualify to compete at the National level. It has been a lot of work keeping up training while doing all of these activities. But, I found I enjoy being busy. The days go by fast and I always have something to look forward to.

Although everyone is busy, sore, tired, and sometimes even cranky- I know that this is a summer I will never forget. I have learned so much this year moving away from home and gaining independence. I value staying positive no matter the situation- even when I am running on 3 hours of sleep at times. When I stay positive and active I feel good about myself- and I hope that I continue to show a positive attitude to everyone around me.

Just a quick update! I can't wait to meet everyone and reunite with familiar faces! Six more days until Toronto- see you all there! =)

Yours, Miss Teen Prince Edward Island-World 2010,

Brooklyn Tchozewski

Miss Teen Prince Edward Island-World! I have had the pleasure of living in three different provinces in my life time- Saskatchewan, Alberta, and now Prince Edward Island. I recognize that there is a unique way of living here that does not exist anywhere else in Canada. From potato farms to the ocean, Prince Edward Island is breathtaking in its very own way.

Although PEI is small - and it only takes four hours to drive across the entire Province - there is much to do and so much to see. I love PEI because half of my family is of Scottish decent, and PEI has a very celtic culture. One of my favourite places in PEI is the College of Piping & Celtic Performing Arts of Canada in Summerside. I happen to currently be the Highland Dance Instructor there. The College of Piping & Celtic Performing Arts displays excellence in Scottish culture- teaching highland bag piping, Scottish snare drumming, Island step dance, Highland dance, and Fiddle. In the summer there is a professional show that is run there called “Highland Storm”- which I am currently a part of the production team and cast. No matter how many times we run the show and rehearse - which can be up to 10 hours a day - I never get tired of being at the College!

Another fun and exciting place to be on PEI is Cavendish. This is the home of Anne of Green Gable’s- a fictional story of an adopted young girl written by Lucy Maud Montgomery. At “Avolea Village”, they re-tell the story of Anne of Green Gable’s and take you back in time in an old fashioned village, just like one in which Anne would have lived. There are hay rides, picnic areas, old fashioned schools. A trip to Cavendish wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the beautiful white sand beaches surrounded by cliffs of PEI’s famous red soil.

It would not be a Prince Edward Island tour without a deep sea fishing trip! Many tourists come from far and wide in the summer to set sail on the Atlantic Ocean to catch cod, mackerel, or even a huge tuna.

Summertime is when PEI comes alive and in every county you’ll find fantastic lobster suppers, ceilidhs (east coast parties) featuring local performers, handicrafts, art, and and the friendliest people around.

Most people wonder what the winter months are like on the east coast. When I first moved here I found winter incredibly cold and windy. Since Summerside is right on the ocean, you get a really cold breeze. But, what is so unique and comforting is that there are so many community activities. Most weekends you can take in craft sales that feature baking and any type of Christmas gift you could imagine, Christmas concerts, and church suppers. Since the Island is small, anywhere there is an event in the winter you see everyone you know! Everyone becomes fast friends and I quickly began to love the winter months since they are so community-oriented.

One of my favourite things to do is eat! I love food, and PEI has some of the best places to eat. I really like the Pilot House or The Old Triangle. Both of these restaurants are located in Charlottetown and are to die for! The Pilot house is more of a fine dining place, while The Old Triange is more of a “pub” setting. The Pilot House has amazing food. But, The Old Triange has a more casual celtic theme and the food is also great . If you like mussels, Flex Mussels is the place to try them. And, PEI is also home to a culinary school where aspiring chefs take their training and the public can have dinner there which is an amazing experience.

I hope that everyone gets the chance to experience the beauty and the unique views of Prince Edward Island. Remember, the beach is always just around the corner! =)

Yours, Miss Teen Prince Edward Island-World 2010

Brooklyn Tchozewski

Hey everyone! I am Brooklyn Tchozewski, and I am your Miss Teen Prince Edward Island- World 2010! I am so excited and thrilled to have been given this amazing opportunity. So, to start my new blog, I would love to tell everyone how I got involved in the pageant, and a little bit about what happened when I finally arrived in Halifax!

When first applying for the pageant, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had never done anything like this before, and I wasn't sure if the other girls had had a ton of experience, or if I was the only new girl applying. No matter the situation, I was very excited when Michelle W contacted me for an interview. The interview went well, and I had later recieved an e-mail notifying me that I was chosen as a delegate in the Miss Teen Maritimes-World Pageant!

After some shopping and much excitement, I arrived at the pageant bright and early on Saturday morning. At first I was nervous that I would feel awkward, but as soon as each girl came in, we all warmed up to each other and became fast friends. I really should have listened when Michelle told us not to be nervous! There was absolutely nothing to worry about - all of the girls were in the same position. We were all excited and nervous, and I could tell from the get-go that this was going to be a fantastic learning experience and a weekend to remember.

 

 I was very happy to finally meet Michelle W after much communicating and many questions. She was so kind and she made you feel comfortable around her as if she was already your friend. Then, after Michelle talked to all of the girls, we met Shawn Cuffie, our choreographer. He is extremely funny and great to work with. There were so many times where we would all be so nervous, and he would break the silence with the funniest comments. I know that we all loved working with him, and he made our weekend so much more enjoyable!

After training and learning, it was finally time for the show. There was the evening gown, swim wear, and interview portion. However, the most fun I had was rocking out and dancing to "Party At A Rich Dude's House" by Ke$ha. After all was done, the winners were announced. I have no clue how the judging pannel judged the girls as they were all so wonderful, gorgeous and personable! It must have been a tough job! However, I was ecstatic with the results as I was crowned Miss Teen Prince Edward Island-World 2010! Quickly after knowing that I had a title, the thoughts of the Toronto Pageant got me really excited! I was quick to make my Facebook group, "Brooklyn Tchozewski For Miss Teen Canada-World". I have growing numbers of peers, family, and support joining my group every day and I am overwhelmed with the support I have recieved from my community. I honestly can say that the weekend of the Regional Pageant was such an exciting experience for me, and I highly recommend it to every girl out there! To find out more, please visit the "Miss Teen Canada-World" website.

Now that I am Miss Teen Prince Edward Island-World the work has begun! I am so excited to start my fundraising, as I have many ideas that I hope will be successful! My platform is youth health and wellness, as I am a dance instructor and realise the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. Today in Canada, 25 percent of youth are considered overweight or obese, and 4 out of 5 do not recieve enough physical activity to grow to their full potential. In the past year, with many challenges I have overcome, I feel that when I am loving and taking care of myself, I always feel more positive and focused. I will be spending a great deal of time in the next year promoting youth to live a healthy lifestyle. Not only will our generations to come benefit-but our society will also benefit.

In the past week, I have been thinking of ideas for what I am going to do to get started on fundraising and making the most out of such a rewarding opportunity I have been given. And, thanks to Miss Teen Prince Edward Island-World 2009, Julie Nieuwhof, I already have great sponsors from Rita's Style & JC Salon (One-to-One Esthetics) in Charlottetown! I have also recently completed a CBC interview! I don't want to spoil any surprises - so I will be sure to write about my upcoming events in future blogs to come!

In the meantime, I am busy fundraising for the "Free The Children" charity and counting down the days until Toronto!

Yours,

Miss Teen Prince Edward Island-World 2010, Brooklyn Tchozewski