Issue 7: Ann - Miss Galaxy Thornhill 2021

Mild-mannered reporter by day, pageant queen by night, this journalist who work's for Canada's largest newspaper, witnesses the impact that media literacy and misinformation have based on the conversations and reactions surrounding major news events; COVID-19 and Anti-Asian Racism to name a few. As such using her journalism skills, this passionate pageant queen uses her voice to empower the world and inspire global change.

Media literacy is critical not just as a part of modern education curriculums in our country but also lifelong learning. Being able to decipher whether a source is credible or accurate is a skill that creates informed and engaged citizens, while empowering future generations to take on several civic and social causes. Sharing credible information creates meaningful and empowering conversations on current events and issues such as COVID-19 vaccine hestitancy and combatiing Anti-Asian Hate Crimes against conspiracy theories promoting hate and violence. This further promotes accountability within our local and provinical governments.

From a young age, Ann has always been drawn to reporting and journalism; with aspirations to see strong women, like herself, using written word and powerful imagination to create a just world. As a shy and awkward child growing up, Ann frequently hid behind her notebooks and a pen in hopes of one day having her voice heard, as she was severely bullied from first grade until high school. Often times, Ann would spend most days in the corner of the classroom crying as she struggled to express how she properly felt.

Her mother began to buy her journals from the dollar store as a way to write down her thoughts and channel her creativity into something that would bring her joy. It was there that she set out to become a writer in hopes of not only someone understanding her pain, but channeling that into helping the fellow 'misfits' of the world through storytelling. It is painful to be exposed to so much suffering in the world through the lens of a camera or the flick of a pen, but having that amplified online and seeing deliberate hatred to derail your work as a storyteller. Ann has always been an advocate for social reform and justice in her reporting, ensuring that voices are to be heard and that narratives are changed to reflect underrepresented experiences.

Ann aims to inspire change not only through her writing and coverage of human-interest stories around the country but also foster relationships with fellow female journalists/activist's to create social conversation's and ensure that their voices and narratives are heard. Additionally, Ann has always been a huge believer in mentorship and scholarship opportunities, as she has benefited from these opportunities, and has always made a point to help out a fellow person in her industry or share knowledge. As the Miss Canada Galaxy National Pageant is nearing, Ann is seeking out support from organizations in the field of journalism that may be able to help her along the way, pay it forward, and inspire other's.