Miss Canada International

Miss Canada International 2005
Nicole Kostrosky - Vernon, British Columbia

Nicole Kostrosky was 20 years old when she was crowned Miss Canada International 2005. Nicole was born in Calgary Alberta and moved to Vernon, British Columbia which is part of the Okanagan Valley, when she was five. In 2002 Nicole graduated with honors from W.L Seaton Secondary School; a high school that is well known for its outstanding programs in Drama, Music, and Art.

Due to Nicole’s close sense of community, charities that are close to her heart are children’s charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada. ADRA was also one of Nicole’s platform organizations and specializes in disaster relief and development. Her focus and mission for her year was to motivate the youth of our country in personal goal setting, community involvement and the importance of education. During her travels over this year Nicole wishes to make a positive difference in the lives of the people that she meets.

Nicole trained in many styles of dance including jazz, ballet, tap, musical theater, lyrical and stage. At 14 she was accepted into the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. At 16 she represented the Kelowna Kiwanis Music festival at the British Columbia Festival of Arts. Finally at 18 she became a professionally paid performer for Carnival Cruise Lines in Miami, Florida.

Message To the Delegates

Congratulations to you! You have now taken on a journey of personal growth and development. It is a wonderful honour to represent your city, province, or region. Hold this honour with great pride and know that you have been chosen for a very special reason.

As a delegate you are now responsible for a large amount of work in preparation for pageant week. Please look forward to this week because you will have fun. Note that there is no such thing as being "too organized". From the time I was chosen as a delegate to this very day I have kept a journal. As I look back to the months leading up to the pageant I asked and answered some very important questions of myself. I challenge you to do the same,. You will be surprised at how much you will learn. Putting words on paper is like writing a contract to yourself. So ask yourself what you hope to learn, Accomplish, challenge, study, grow and focus on. Prepare yourself for anything and everything that could come your way.

I promise you that you will have an experience of a lifetime during Pageant Week. You will get to see and experience some of the best sights that Ontario has to offer

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away (unknown)

My year was filled to the brim with moments of unimaginable value. I have traveled this country coast to coast representing the title of Miss Canada International with immense pride. My work has been shared with the youth of our country and it is my goal for us all to see the importance of community involvement, personal goal setting, and the value of education. My travels have led me through many adventures and exciting moments. You will see a glimpse of these moments during pageant week. I promise you that this experience will enable you to reach your fullest potential. You will gain friendships and experiences that will last a lifetime.

My year was made possible because of the MCI team of volunteers and staff. It is because of their hard work and dedication that we all get to experience the thrills of pageant week. I am thinking Sylvia for her passion and constant spark of wisdom. It is her who sees the potential in each of us and drives us to pursue it. No matter the out come of your week, come with the mindset to do and to be the best that you are. Strive to reach your fullest potential so that when you return home you can be proud in who you are and what you experienced. Someone once said to me: Each of us holds a crown in life, it is not the crown that defines who we are, rather, it is who we are that defines the crown.

Be proud of yourself for embracing this opportunity with open arms. I look forward to meeting you at Pageant week, Until then keep journaling, working, preparing, and accomplishing your delegate duties. Your efforts will prove you well!

Sincerely,

Nicole Kostrosky
Miss Canada International 2005

Nicole Kostrosky-Wareham (December 2008)

As Miss Canada International my year was spent visiting the provinces across Canada. The people and places I visited will always remain treasured in my memory. The events were once in a life time, and filled with excitement, anticipation, and joy.

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan has the best winter festival in western Canada, the friendliest residents, and the best firework display I have ever seen. The wonders of eastern Canada were exceptional for a western girl like me! Nothing beats the buzz of Montreal, the flare of Toronto, the grandeur of Niagara Falls, the beauty of Ottawa, and the quaintness of Sudbury. I have been blessed with the experiences I have had, the people I had the pleasure of meeting, and the time I spent as Canada’s ambassador.

With alacrity and determination I had the greatest of opportunities to go overseas with my platform organization ADRA Canada to Sri Lanka, just six months after the Tsunami. In Sri Lanka, I observed the great work that ADRA was leading in the aftermath of such a tragic event. There, MCI launched the first “Teddy Bears of Hope Campaign” project (* the project was founded by MCI Director, Sylvia Stark and Miss Teen Canada, Amanda Klyn). With ADRA’s help we distributed the toys and beloved teddy bears from children in Canada to the children of Sri Lanka who were affected by the Tsunami.

The trip to Sri Lanka changed my life, and reaffirmed my love of children. After this trip I personally struggled with my career choice. In the two years that followed I made the decision to give up my goal of pursuing the study of law and choose education instead. It was a natural fit.

Since 2004 my life has really grown! I am now married to Scott Wareham and mother of two “fur babies” (our dogs) Echo and Diesel. After my year as Miss Canada International I went back to school part time at the Okanagan College and continued working with kids and sharing my love of dance. For three years I shared my love of dance, and grew deeply attached to the students I had. It was hard to leave the studio I had seen grow into such a thriving school of art. In this last year my husband and I made the big move from the Okanagan Valley to the historic city of Edmonton. Scott accepted a Management position with a great company, and I transferred to the University Of Alberta. I will graduate with my degree in elementary education. Aside from my studies I currently volunteer once a week as a “councilor” in a youth scout program called “Pathfinders.” The program is a youth centered club, with a focus on friendship, spirituality, and discovery. I have also become an auntie in the last year, and look forward to more nieces and nephews in the future!............I have been truly blessed.

Nicole Kostrosky-Wareham
Miss Canada International 2005