Heaven Solomon wins first Miss New Brunswick pageant since 2019
Perth-Andover 2nd Princess Heaven Solomon has been crowned Miss New Brunswick 2022.
A large audience gathered at Woodstock’s McCain Community Theatre on Tuesday, Aug. 2 to watch the second and final evening of the Miss New Brunswick pageant. Nine contestants showed their poise and shared their talents as they vied for the title in the event’s first return since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Solomon said she was “shocked” when she was announced as the winner. “I’m still kind of letting that set in,” she said after being crowned.
The 2022 royal court also includes Minto 1st Princess Maranda Pert-Hoyt, who won Miss Friendship; Grand Falls 1st Princess Lucie Martin, who won Miss Talent and 2nd Princess; and Miss Victoria County Tamara McDougall, who won 1st Princess. Miss Salmon Festival Selena Winchester was another semi-finalist.
Andrew Garnett and Robert Fowlie were the event’s MCs. Fowlie said it was “very exciting” to see the pageant return.
“Every girl did a flawless performance as far as I could tell,” he said.
Fowlie added that he’s also excited for Solomon. “She has a great message,” he said.
Solomon is Wolastoqi, and her message is about preserving her culture. Her pageant bio reads that her ambition is to pursue a master’s degree in education or linguistics to help revitalize the Wolastoqey language.
Contestants performed an opening number and did casual and evening gown walks across the stage. Semi-finalists participated in a question round and did a final walk. The Martin Boys provided musical entertainment during outfit changes.
Though the talent portion of the pageant took place on Monday, Aug. 1, some contestants shared their skills again on the second evening. McDougall and Miss Woodstock Anna McLellan showed off their hula hooping, Winchester danced a tap routine, Miss Hartland Drew Crouse shared her comedic singing, and Miss Keswick Valley Victoria Tattersall also sang.
Miss New Brunswick 2019 Kristen Culberson also shared her talent from her year in the pageant and gave a farewell speech. Though Solomon feels she has “big shoes to fill” after Culberson held the role for three years, the new pageant winner says she’s excited about the challenge.
“I cannot wait to represent New Brunswick,” Solomon said.
The newly crowned Miss New Brunswick said she’s looking forward to “seeing all of the wonderful things New Brunswick has to offer.”
“I know that [Culberson], with her reign, got to experience so many different things. I can’t wait to … meet new people and share what I would like to highlight, which is my culture,” said Solomon.
After completing a traditional singing and drumming performance in the pageant’s talent portion, Solomon felt more prepared for the second night. Her favourite part of the event was getting to know the other contestants.
“I was so excited to come here and meet everyone from across New Brunswick, to hear them share their own stories, talk about their own pageants, talk about their own experiences [and] what they would like to highlight,” she said.
Solomon said her fellow contestants “all did an amazing job.”
“They welcomed me with open arms. It was a very, very, very awesome group of girls,” she said. “To my court – I cannot wait to see what this year brings us.”
Solomon said the fact that she, a young Indigenous woman, was chosen to represent the province was a “huge step.”
“It just shows how included everyone can be,” she said. Solomon said she was “extremely proud” to have earned the title.
“I hope this inspires other Indigenous girls to join pageants and use that platform to highlight our beautiful culture and language,” she said.
