Rusnak enters Miss World Canada pageant

Chris Abbott

Editor

Aalanna Rusnak of Courtland is taking her pageant career to the next level this week competing at Miss World Canada, August 12-17, in Vaughan.

“It’s a lot more intense, a lot more goes into it,” said Rusnak in the days leading up to the national pageant. “Basically, everything is taken up like 10 notches and it’s like a whole different ball game. Girls are more prepared… it’s not like Teens, this isn’t their first time competing, they know what to expect, they’re more seasoned.”

Some have won national titles and competed on international stages, said Rusnak, and now they are coming back for more.

Rusnak is right there with them.

At the age of 17, Aalanna won Pageant Group Canada’s 2022 Miss Teenage Canada title. She went on to compete at the 2023 Miss Teen Mundial international pageant in Curacao where she finished Top 10.

Now 20, the Glendale High School graduate is a third-year student at the University of Western Ontario, with a national scholarship, working towards a four-year Media and Communications degree.

A competitive figure skater, Rusnak won three gold medals at the Ontario University Athletics Figure Skating Championships in March, including gold in Star 10 freeskate.

She also belongs to a sorority at the university and has a social media and marketing position in the sorority.

Any good thing in life takes work, she always says.

“Keeping super busy at school, super busy. I think I work well under pressure.”

The idea of entering Miss World Canada came in January 2025, but Rusnak admitted it really wasn’t possible to begin her pageant journey until her school work ended mid-April.

“When I got home from school, it was basically pedal to the metal and we just went full force. It’s been an everyday thing since then. It’s felt like a full-time job, to be honest, while I still have an actual job (The Links at Dover Coast in Port Dover).

“Ever since I won Miss Teenage Canada, I knew that I wanted to continue with pageantry. I always knew it was just a matter of time… just timing it right with school. I feel like 20 is a good age to compete and now I am more prepared, I know what to expect going in. I just feel more ready.

“Definitely, going to (university) has helped me mature. I feel more settled in, I’m immersed in my education, so I’m ready to take on this next journey.”

Her ‘next journey’ began with months of preparation and training. She has travelled to Montreal for runway training – a big part of the competition. She has been practicing questions, and she has spent a lot of time in the gym, maintaining good health and fitness.

A champion cross-country runner in elementary school, she is even getting back into distance running.

“I wouldn’t say it’s back to my cross-country days… I compared my times and I’m like nowhere near my 13-year-old self,” she laughed. “But now I can run again.” 

The Miss World Canada pageant involves closed door interviews, on-stage questions, different walks on stage, and fitness categories.

“Throughout the whole week, they watch everything about you to see the kind of person you are, how you are interacting with everyone… they really want the full package.”

The questions they will ask require a higher level of thinking, she said, compared to the teen competitions. Some are more controversial, some environmental based, social based, or economic based.

“At Teen, it was more about yourself, your platform. So here, I feel like I need to be much more educated on what’s going on in our world. You need to be careful with your answers. And it’s a little nerve-wracking when you’re up there on stage.

“At the end of the day, you are trying to be a representative of Canada. Sometimes you have to pick a side, sometimes you can’t pick a side when you’re trying to represent all of our people. It depends on the question. It’s just a very tough thing that I’ve put a lot of work into – it’s a lot of quick thinking on your feet.”

There is also an optional talent category at the pageant. At past events, she has drawn from her 15 years as a skater.

“Everyone submits a video of their talent, then they pick two people to go up on stage. I do like to try to be involved in every portion of the competition… but I was unable to submit a figure skating video – obviously I can’t skate on stage – so I decided I would learn a talent. So I’ve taken on the Salsa.”

In just the last couple of weeks she has been enthusiastically learning one of the most popular types of Latin American dancing with dance coaches from Latin Passion Dance Academy in London. The results have been impressive.

“I’ve put in hours and hours and hours of work,” she said. “I’ve done some dance through figure skating, but never a ‘dancer.’ I’d say learning to Salsa has been like learning to skate again. They have helped me so much, they have been amazing.”

FIND YOUR LIGHT

Pageant Group Canada encourages community service and Beauty with a Purpose platforms.

“I’ve been trying to get involved with a lot of organizations because my ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ is youth empowerment. I have created ‘Find Your Light.’”

As she did in Miss Teenage Canada, Rusnak has visited schools and reached out to thousands of students speaking about confidence, authenticity, kindness, anti-bullying and how everyone has a purpose.

“We all have a light from within and we need to let it shine – that is my message.”

Rusnak also partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a mentor, and Planet Youth Oxford as an ambassador – their youngest ambassador.

“I just want to provide support for these children like I had growing up.”

She will also be a guest speaker at Tim Hortons youth camps.

“My goal is to create my own workshops, structured workshops where I can speak to these kids, mentor them and share my platform,” she said, and with that goal in mind, she is trying immerse herself in every organization possible. 

Earlier this week, she did a girls empowerment workshop for The Salvation Army.

“I have reached out to… I don’t even know… at least 40 different organizations within like a 100-mile radius, trying to get in wherever I can. I am just trying so hard to be involved.”

Instead of asking for personal sponsorship, Rusnak is seeking charitable donations toward her Find Your Light cause.

“If you or someone you know, an individual or business, would like to partner, I’d love to connect,” Rusnak wrote on Facebook. “In return, I’ll proudly offer promotion and visibility as a thank you for supporting this mission. Any amount makes a difference. Let’s show the judges, more importantly, the youth, and Canada that this movement has momentum - and it’s only just getting started.”

There is also a ‘voting stage’ at the Miss World Canada pageant, which potentially aids contestants in their drive for a title. Each vote is $1 and you can vote as many times as you want to support your favourite (or favourites – there are 21 entries) at catchthecrown.com.

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There are four Pageant Group Canada titles on the line for Rusnak this week - Miss World Canada, Miss Supranational Canada, Miss Intercontinental Canada, and Miss Earth Canada.

“It’s four separate pageants, but one event. The different titles have different things they are looking for. Miss Canada World is a lot about Beauty with a Purpose. Miss Supranational is more a typical pageant – your runway, your fashion, your glam. I love both of those aspects. I love being involved, community outreach, but I also love the ‘glam’ and runway side of pageantry.”

The four title winners will be eligible to compete internationally, typically at 3-4 week competitions representing Canada.

“All amazing opportunities,” said Rusnak.

The final competition for Miss World Canada is Sunday, August 17th.