By Nate Smelle

Published Feb. 22 2018

Minden’s Jordyn Greer will be joining dozens of young women aged 13 to 26 gathering in Sudbury this May to compete in the 13th annual Miss North Ontario pageant. The 18-year-old high school graduate was recently chosen to represent the Haliburton Highlands as a delegate in the competition.

After being asked to apply by a representative of the pageant on several occasions Greer said she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to take part in the pageant at first. Researching the pageant’s history and purpose she discovered that the competition was about far more than just physical beauty and decided to apply.

“It’s not a typical beauty pageant” she said.

“There is so much more meaning to it than what is initially thought. The goal of this event is to empower the delegates in such ways that they are able to carry the experiences with them throughout their life and share them throughout their communities.”

As a delegate Greer is responsible for raising $600 for the advertisement in the pageant handbook as well as additional funds to cover the cost of the resources she will need to compete. She said she also needs to raise a $100 contribution for the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer Foundation. Since the pageant’s inception in 2006 Greer said they have collectively raised over $247000. Greer said her goal is to raise as much money as possible for the foundation. Although she has set a personal goal of fundraising $1200 by March 25 Greer said she is striving to surpass that goal and raise as much money as possible because she believes “Children who are impacted by cancer as well as their families should be provided with the best treatments possible.”

Having volunteered with several community events – 30-hour Hunger Famine We Day Family and Can-Skate programs to name a few – Greer is no stranger to volunteerism and fundraising. Last year she said she had the opportunity to volunteer with We Day in Toronto as a “crowd pumper.” This position entailed keeping the crowd on their feet and excited for the duration of the event. Greer’s enthusiasm for making her community and the world a better place has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized for her service to the community as a youth activist receiving awards from the City of Kawartha Lakes and the province of Ontario. As a past victim of bullying Greer said she understands how a simple act of kindness can help someone who is having a bad day. Since her time in elementary school she remembers feeling a powerful desire to embrace this kindness and help others.

As part of the pageant delegates will take part in several workshops focused on promoting positive body image exercise confidence and public speaking. Greer is planning to use the public speaking portion of the competition to raise awareness of an issue she holds close to her heart – mental health. She explained that her drive to help others have their voices heard stems from her experience in speaking to audiences about mental illness.  In the past Greer said she has had individuals twice and even three times her age approach her after speaking to tell her how moved they were by her courage to share her experiences.

“A 60-year-old man once approached me after I spoke with tears in his eyes and told me about his own personal experience with mental illnesses” she said.

“He had been dealing with depression for 35 years and said to me that after all that time he had never felt less alone than after he heard me speak. He told me to never give up public speaking and being an advocate of mental health because even though I was only 17 at the time I had made a huge impact on his life. He told me that I was a miracle.”

Greer said she is also extremely passionate about music and the arts. As a singer/songwriter and a musician who plays several instruments she finds great joy in creating and listening to music. Greer is hopeful that she will one day be able to fuse her career goal of becoming a professional musician with her devotion to helping others.

“Music has helped me through so much and has helped shape me into the person I am today” said Greer.

“If I were somehow able to create a career out of music I would be set for life; and this is what I am trying to do. I would like to incorporate music and public speaking to help others who need it. This is my idea of fun.”

To support Greer in her fundraising initiative and her bid to become Miss North Ontario visit her Go Fund Me page or contact 705-306-3350.