Ms. Sweetheart of Niagara 2012

Ms. Sweetheart of Niagara 2012

WINNERS of Ms. Sweetheart of Niagara. From left: Grace Hemmingway, 1st runner up; Ms. Sweetheart of Niagara 2012, Charlotte Vergara; 2nd runner up, Maureen Gonzales.

ST. CATHARINES–Charlotte Mae Vergara was crowned Ms. Sweetheart of Niagara 2012 in an event witnessed by hundreds of caregivers in Niagara. Vergara also won Ms. Popularity, Best in Casual Wear, Ms. Photogenic, Ms. Body Beautiful and Ms. Famous. The first runner up title went to Grace Hemmingway followed by Maureen Joy Gonzales who bagged the 2nd runner up category. Hemmingway obtained special titles as Best in Sports Wear, Best in Executive Attire, Ms. Congeniality and Ms. Punctual while Gonzales won the Best in Ethnic Attire and Ms. Poise. Candidate Sheila Mae Camangian bagged the Best in Gown and Ms. Winsome Smile while Samantha Tan got the Ms. Wit and Darling of  the Crowd title.

There were a total of seven candidates.  The event also gave an opportunity for audience participation by choosing Best Attire – Male and Female. The titles went to Zosie Abasola and Daniel Tran.
Held on June 23 at St Catharines, the Ms. Sweetheart of Niagara 2012 is a project of the Caregivers and Supporters Network of Niagara or simply referred as CANN; a non- profit organization mostly composed of caregivers.  Partial proceeds of the  beauty pageant will help raise funds for three cancer patients who are members of CANN.  The 3 winners will serve as an ambassadress of CANN to promote its mission in helping the community.

Sheila Mae Camangian, Best in Evening Gown

The 23 years  old Vergara recently obtained a degree of Concurrent Education (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor in Education) from Brock University, St Catharines. “Winning the Ms. Sweetheart of Niagara is like a gift on my graduation”, said the enthusiastic winner. Vergara was born in  Quezon City of the Philippines and immigrated to Canada at the age of 7. Her passion lies in the beauty and fashion industry but   prefers to pursue a teaching profession as a main career choice.

Second runner up, Grace Hemmingway is a former caregiver and now works as a Banquet server in White Oaks Hotel and Resort. A proud descendant of the Mangyan tribe of Oriental Mindoro of the Philippines, Hemmingway is adamant to help empower her fellow caregivers by pursuing various developmental projects for the association. She has bagged the Best Sports Wear by wearing a boxing attire. “I am inspired by Manny Pacqiao, one of the famous boxers in Philippine history. He has made every Filipino proud of his humility and dexterity in boxing”. Hemmingway obtained a degree in Bachelor of Education but prefers to pursue a career in hospitality or restaurant management.

Maureen Gonzales, Best in Ethnic Atttire. PHOTOS: JANA SMITH-Leafworks Photography

Gonzales is still 18 years old and shares the dream of CANN to be an organization that speaks of integrity and empowerment. “I am shy by nature but my involvement with the pageant has helped built my self-confidence. Now, I am interested to organize several sports projects for CANN. Not only will it be healthy for its members but it helps in family bonding.” Gonzales arrived in Canada in 2010 and hails from the province of Tarlac of the Philippines. She loves playing the guitar and like reading fantasy novels such as Harry Potter.

The three winners will serve their official function at the Mabuhay Festival on July 28th as participants of the Santacruzan parade.

(PRESS RELEASE)