Gina Pereira was crowned as Miss Osoyoos in June 2013. She’s now a contestant in the Miss Universe Canada pageant. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Former Miss Osoyoos Gina Pereira will receive a $1,000 grant from the Town of Osoyoos as she competes in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto in August.
Council voted at its June 18 meeting to provide the grant after hearing from Gerald Davis, director of community services, that there are sufficient funds remaining under the Community Services Grant Program to cover this expense.
Pereira appeared on June 4 at council’s committee of the whole meeting to request town sponsorship, saying that at the time she was $2,500 short of her fundraising goal of $6,000.
She was chosen as one of 31 candidates from Western Canada from 650 applicants. There will be more than 50 competitors in total and the winner will represent Canada at the Miss Universe Pageant in the fall.
Councillor Mike Campol introduced a motion to provide $1,500, but that was defeated as council instead decided to provide $1,000, the amount Davis recommended.
Mayor Sue McKortoff initially expressed reservations, noting that Pereira, who is now in university, is older than others assisted with funding for students.
But Davis noted that the town still has $2,000 in Community Service Grand funds put aside for youth who travel out of province and that Pereira is eligible.
Campol expressed his strong support.
“I just look at it as a young person from our community who has been outstanding in our community and is going to represent us on the world stage,” he said. “I support it.”
Councillor Jim King agreed that Pereira would bring lots of recognition for Osoyoos, a view that Councillor Carol Youngberg also agreed with. Youngberg said she would be a great representative.
Pereira served as Miss Osoyoos between 2013 and 2014.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
