WE-BE MAGAZINE December 2013's Mini Flash Mag #4 | Page 9

WE-BE: What will you carry on to do after this year? ! Brittany: I will carry on ‘Beautiful You’ for sure. A lot of schools are interested in continuing to be a part of that. I really enjoy public speaking on topics that I am passionate about, such as self-empowerment and self-esteem. I’ll also continue to put together fundraisers for different organizations. ! WE-BE: What is a message you wish to send out to the youth of the world? ! ! Brittany: As cheesy as it is, the most beautiful thing about you is being yourself. I really learned that message at the pageant. I wasn’t the tallest, skinniest or most beautiful girl there, but what really matters is what’s on the inside--not just looks. It is so important to love yourself! ! ! WE-BE: What inspired you to start 'Beautiful You'? ! Brittany: Every person has had self-esteem issues. When I meet people with problems with self-harm or eating disorders, it makes me so sad. It is horrible to see someone hurt himself or herself, especially when you think they are beautiful. ! ! ! WE-BE: What change do you wish to see in the world? ! Brittany: I would definitely like to see people's opinion on beauty change. Right now it seems that people think beauty can only be one thing, when really everyone is beautiful in their own way. Also, I would like to see the world learn how to stop thinking ‘me me me’ and instead start to think of how to improve the world as a whole. Less me, and more we! ! ! ! WE-BE: How has being Ms. Fraser Valley changed your life? ! ! Brittany: It has opened more doors for me that I wouldn’t have had if I wasn't Ms. Fraser Valley. Having that title makes it so much easier to access large groups of people to talk about self-esteem or issues in general. Being Ms. Fraser Valley has opened my mind about stereotypes, especially about pageant girls. I used to think that it was all about these beauty queens-- but even though they were beautiful they were just as silly and real as me! ! We wish Brittany all the best, and know that whatever she set