By: Robert Shawn

A local woman heading to the Miss Universe Canada Pageant has dreams of doing good in her community

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Mackenzie Dove is not your typical 22-year-old. The Clarenville native is an incredibly busy young woman, balancing her time between school, work, volunteering, and the distinction of being Miss Newfoundland and Labrador.  

Encouraged by two previous title holders, Mackenzie competed in the 2017 Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Pageant, eventually impressing the judges and being named the winner. “Miss Newfoundland and Labrador is a lot more than just a girl in a crown and a pretty dress,” Dove says of the position. “They’re role models for women in our province.” 

Further mentioning the ability to use Miss Newfoundland and Labrador as a way to help promote and support community events is something that inspired her decision to apply for the competition. 

Next Chapter

Inching towards the end of her reign, Dove is now focused on the next chapter of her pageant career. Looking to showcase her skills, abilities and personality on a national level, Dove was chosen to represent the province at the Miss Universe Canada Pageant in Toronto this August. “I’ve been really inspired by the girls that have held the title in the past,” Dove says. “I really want to represent our province well.” 

While many associate these types of pageants as being superficial and shallow, to Dove the role of Miss Universe Canada means so much more. 

“The current title holder is an engineering student. She’s confident, strong, intelligent, and community oriented. And that’s how I see myself and believe that’s how these titles should be represented.” 

Should she be awarded the prestigious title of Miss Universe Canada, Dove says she will use her new found fame to do good in the community. “I want to help bring attention to local non-profits like I have done as Miss Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Non-Profits 

Local non-profits like the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society, which Dove supports in a variety of ways. In 2002, Dove’s grandmother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells responsible for producing antibodies. 

“She was my role model in life,” Dove recalls. “Her passing really changed my life and everything I do is in memory of her.” 

This tragic event helped push Dove on a path that would influence her decision to pursue a career that would help and benefit those going through similar experiences as her grandmother.

The Miss Universe Canada Pageant is scheduled for August 18th. The winner will then go on to represent Canada at the Miss Universe Pageant later this year. The last time Canadian delegate won the Miss Universe competition was in 2005 and Dove believes this country has something unique to bring to the title. “Canada is such a diverse country. You can go to any province and they are all different in their own way.”

Follow along with Mackenzie’s journey at her Mackenzie Dove – Miss Universe Canada 2018 Delegate Facebook page. Visit www.missuniversecanada.ca to vote for Mackenzie to win the “People’s Choice” Award. Voting ends on August 16th.