16-year-old Addison Mountain from Frog Lake First Nation was one of 30 participants at the Miss Teen Canada Petite 2021-2022 competition in Toronto on Aug. 11.

Mountain was hopeful when she was crowned for the regional title, Miss Central Alberta. She was shocked and cried happy tears when she was also crowned Miss Teen Canada Petite 2021-2022.

She gives advice to young women that are interested in participating in events such as these.

“If they are wanting to do something like this, I feel like they should just do what they want to do, and don’t listen to anyone that’s stopping them,” she said.

“I am recruiting girls right now and [I get some messages] that are saying, like, ‘oh, I wish I could do this but I won’t have people that will support me,’ or ‘I wish I could do this but I’m not pretty,’ and stuff like that,” she added. “And I just feel like they should just do it because they want to do it, not [not] do it because other people tell them that they can’t do it.”

Mountain struggled with anxiety and her body image throughout her teenage years. Taking part in this event helped boost her self-confidence, she said.

Mountain’s parents were so proud of her and were with her throughout her whole journey. She said she wants to inspire young kids to do something like this and get out of their comfort zone.

Listen to the full audio story below: