Ciara Thompson likes the allure of stepping outside of her comfort zone.<\/p>\n
The Huntsville native first entered the pageant world last year<\/a><\/span> to show herself what she’s capable of. Thompson will compete again in Miss Canada<\/a><\/span> on March 1.<\/p>\n \u201cI was bullied in public school and high school,\u201d she said. \u201cI wanted to do something outside the box so other kids who were bullied could see I was doing what I wanted to do; so they could go for what they want, too.\u201d<\/p>\n She said her first competition was nerve wracking but beneficial. \u201cThere were a lot of skill-building opportunities to further develop yourself and I learned a lot about myself,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cI had to speak [in front of a large audience], which was slightly terrifying and I stumbled with my words but still did well. You have to push yourself at some point.\u201d<\/p>\n Competing has also helped Thompson with her social anxiety. \u201cEverything you do requires personal skills,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cPageants aren’t for everyone but you can step outside of your comfort zone and apply it to your own life.\u201d<\/p>\n She’s had numerous people come to her saying there’s something they want to do, from joining the soccer team to finding the confidence to be more social and asked her what she did to help her do what she’s doing. \u201cIt’s good. I can be a mentor, which is rewarding,\u201d said Thompson.<\/p>\n Embracing the phrase, ‘you miss every shot you don’t take’, Thompson has a busy summer ahead of her. She’ll start the 2017 pageant circuit with Miss Canada, followed by Miss Universe Canada in May, and a cruise to the Bahamas in June for the Beauties of 5 Continents.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m not in it to win it. It would be nice, but I want to show myself what I’m capable of. I can demonstrate what I’ve learned to other people so it’s like a domino effect. I can do workshops with the skills I’ve gained and use them in my future career,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Thompson is studying to become a behavioural therapist for children. She’s earned her sociology degree at Nipissing University and will be studying behavioural science technology at George Brown College in the fall.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople should push themselves if they have something they want to do,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cGo after it whether it’s big or small.\u201d<\/p>\n See Thompson’s Beauties of 5 Continents video below and read an earlier Doppler story about Ciara here: Thompson is using the pageant platform to spread an anti-bulling message<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free, twice-weekly newsletter here<\/u><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong>