More than just a pretty face

A firearms licence, big games licence and a line and jigger are not usually associated with the winner of the Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Pageant. But then Sara Michelle Green is hardly your typical beauty queen.

Nevertheless the 19-year-old's grace, beauty and passion for the outdoors and province have earned her the title of Miss Newfoundland and Labrador 2009-'10. Green was crowned Sept. 20, the final night of the 51st annual Trinity Conception Fall Fair, at the S.W. Moores Memorial Stadium in Harbour Grace. She was chosen from 17 contestants from across the province who took part in the event.

The Winterton native says she never expected to win.

"I figured it was between a couple of other girls, in fact when they called my name as the winner it really didn't register at first. It wasn't until I heard them say 'from Winterton' I realized they were talking about me," laughs Green.

After last year's winner Sheena Winsor placed the crown on Green's head, she headed down the runway, waving gracefully and calling out for her nana and poppa.

By the time Hilda and Nick Green, also of Winterton, reached the front of the walkway, their granddaughter was on her knees; leaning out over the stage waiting to embraced them.

"We're pretty proud of Sara, not just for winning the Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Pageant, but for everything she has accomplished. She's a good girl and has a heart of gold." says Hilda who practically raised her granddaughter. "Although when she told me, a few weeks ago, she was entering the pageant, I told her not to get her hopes up. I wasn't overly enthused, but I also said well, if that's what you want to do, then go for it. It doesn't matter to us, win or lose you'll still be the same sweet Sara to us."

Unsung heroes

Green, who is enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program at Keyin College in St. John's, says she was disappointed in her delivery of an on-stage speech made on the final night of the competition.

"I forgot some of it and really stumbled through it," she says. "What bothered me the most was what it was about...the importance of volunteer fire departments in rural Newfoundland. I felt I didn't do justice to it."

According to Green, volunteer firefighters are unsung heroes.

"They just don't get enough credit for what they do," she says.

Green's uncle David is a volunteer firefighter with the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade and her other uncle, Darrin Green, is a member of the Winterton Volunteer Fire Department.

Last year Green attended a one-week Female Fire Fighting Training camp in Foxtrap, Conception Bay South.

"It was a really good experience and we got to do all the things that real firefighters do, but it was also physically exhausting," says Green. " I did it for just a week, but our volunteer firefighters go through this type of training on a regular basis and they don't get paid for it. I'm not sure the public realizes how hard they train. It's one thing to volunteer and to do this type of work out of the goodness of your heart, but it is also time consuming, physically demanding and they put their own lives at risk for others. That's commendable."

Before Green went on stage to compete in the pageant she text her best friend Wendy Hatch of Bay de Verde, who was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago.

"I said this one is for you baby," says Green.

After she was crowned, she scurried backstage to text Wendy once again.

"I said if I can win this crown for you, then you can beat this cancer for me," says Green, her voice cracking with emotion.

This wasn't Green's first time competing in a pageant. In 2006 she was crowned Miss Summer Holidays and in 2007 she made the top eight in the Miss Teen Achievement. That same year she won the Keyin College Community Connections Award, a $17,000 scholarship she is using to finance her Dental Assistant program.

Least pageantry

Green lives in St. John's during the week, but heads home to Winterton Friday afternoons.

"I have the car all loaded up and ready and I hit the TCH like a mad woman and don't settle down until I reach Heart's Content," she says. "I'm definitely an outport girl. I'd rather be hiking the trails in Winterton or out on boat than anywhere else."

While Green looked like a million bucks on stage, she didn't spend a lot of money to make it happen. On the first night of the competition she borrowed a black dress belonging to her Nana and had it altered and on the final night she wore her high school graduation dress. She decorated her outfits with jewellery borrowed from friends and was the only girl on stage with natural short nails.

"I'm probably the least pageantry person you know," she says. "What you see is what you get. I want to look good, but having fun and being comfortable come first."

Lots of support

Green says she credits much of her success to her grandparents.

"They've always stood behind me in no matter what I have done. They've always believed in me. I love my family, I really do. They mean everything to me."

Green moved from Alberta to live with her grandparents when she was 13.

"They sent me a plane ticket to come to Newfoundland to visit them for three weeks, and I basically never went back," she says. "When it came time for me to get on the plane to return I cried and said I wanted to stay here with them. This is where I stayed and am always going to stay. Alberta bound is not for me."

The town of Winterton and Backside Pond Park also supported Green in her goal to become this year's Miss Newfoundland and Labrador.

"They paid the $250 registration fee and have helped me out numerous times in the past," she said. "I only have to ask, they always come through."

Green says the organizers of the Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Pageant were also extremely helpful.

"They really went out of their way to help me. All the girls were made feel like winners. This pageant is about a lot more than looks."

Hunting, fundraiser

The beginning of her reign as Miss Newfoundland and Labrador coincides with one of her most favourite times of the year - moose-hunting season. However this year she won't be accompanying her uncles, Darrin and David and her Poppa on their annual hunting trip and it won't be because she'll be out somewhere representing the province. Unfortunately neither Green nor her uncles were successful in getting their licence.

"We haven't broke the news to Poppa yet, neither of us wants to tell him because he is going to be very disappointed and no one wants to do that," she says.

One of her first appearances in her new role will be at an Oct. 10 fundraiser in Bay de Verde for Wendy.

"I'll be there as her friend first and Miss Newfoundland and Labrador second," says Green.

When she isn't studying, hiking, fishing or hunting, Green spends time with her dog Maggie whom she refers to as her little girl.

"She's about 10 years old and I got her last spring from the SPCA," she says Green.

Meanwhile while Green is travelling the province Nana and Poppa are probably going to be dog sitting.

"We'll help her out anyway we can," says Hilda. "We're very proud of her. Sara is Sara, she doesn't pretend to be something she is not and whether she is done up to the nines or doesn't have a bit of makeup on, she still looks great. She is just as beautiful inside as she is out and that's what's really important."