Daysland pageant queen takes home Miss Teen Canada title two years in a row despite serious health issues

Talayna Ekelund has been doing pageants for about four years, and in that short time has won eight national-level pageant titles.

Miss Teen Canada Commonwealth International 2018-2019 is her most current and recognized title; she will be taking it with her to London, England, at the end of November to compete for the Miss Teen World CWI title.

“All of my titles mean a great deal to me, however, this one is most significant as I am able to represent my country while doing something I love.”

Ekelund is the first rural Alberta resident to be crowned Miss Teen Canada CWI as most winners are generally from large city centres like Vancouver or Toronto.

Her national pageant titles allow her to do volunteer and charity work all around Daysland and Camrose. She lives just outside Daysland and attends school in Camrose.

“This title gives me the ability to go out in the communities and give more representation to smaller organizations and act as a spokesperson to give a voice to local organizations.”

Ekelund’s charity work took on a whole new meaning to her after a battle with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) last October nearly took her life.