Newly crowned Miss Canada International was seen here Saturday night with her roommate at the competition, Lorraine Hanoun of King City. King City's Lorraine Hanoun wasn't in the winner's circle Saturday night at the Miss Canada International competition in Mississauga, but she was still enthused about the experience afterwards.

"It was definitely an amazing experience," she declared.

Hanoun, 22, had the distinction of seeing her roommate at the competition, Rachel Jaillet of New Brunswick, take the crown.

"Her passion for helping others has been an inspiration to us all," Hanoun later observed. "Rachel has offered to try and make an appearance in York Region sometime throughout her reigning year, in which the two of us will be present."

There was a tremendous amount of camaraderie among the contestants, or "delegates," as they were officially referred to.

"We connected," Hanoun said. "I now have a friend and open welcome in every province."

Hanoun is the current Miss York Region, and she was among 26 young women seeking the title. Saturday also saw 20 young ladies vying for the Miss Teen Canada International crown, and that was taken by Haley Lang from Eastern Ontario.

Despite its name, this is not really a beauty contest. It's based on academic achievement and community involvement.

It is seen as a vehicle for empowering Canadian women to aspire to their personal and professional goals, while expressing their diversity, individuality, opinions, personality, intelligence and talents.

The competitions encourage "each young woman to be the best she can be each and every day," according to their Mission Statement.

Hanoun has completed her fourth year at the University of Toronto, specializing in life sciences.

Her volunteer activities have included helping out at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for the last two years. She has also helped raise funds for Big Sisters of York Region and the Good Shepherd Refuge in Toronto.

The participants were asked to name a personal hero, and Hanoun chose Céline Dion, citing that she is known throughout he world for her passion for music, charities and her country.

"She's definitely an inspiration and a role model to all Canadians," she said.

She also chose Yellow Brick House, the shelter for women and children in Aurora, as her charity.

"These past nine days have been the best experience in my life," she announced in the days following the competition. "I have met such wonderful young women from across the nation who all have the goals of education and community involvement in mind. It was an inspiration to learn what they have done in their lives and how they have participated in their communities."

She also said this was something she might try again.

"Just for the experience itself, I would do it again," she commented Saturday night.

Hanoun also expressed thanks to the York Region

community and all her sponsors for their support, including mmmuffins Corporation Canada, Newmarket - Aurora MP Belinda Stronach, Andy Marshall from Century 21, Jen van der Vecht Photography and the Healy Family from Canadian Tire Mississauga. "Without them, I would

not have been able to participate in this wonderful experience," she observed. "I would also like to thank my family and friends for their constant support throughout the entire process. It was not only an honour, but also a joy to represent York Region in the Miss Canada International Scholarship Program."