When Chelsea Ash heard her name called as the new Miss Newfoundland and Labrador, there was an explosion of exuberance on stage at the S.W. Moores Memorial Stadium in Harbour Grace.
Tears escaped her eyes and ran down the sides of Chelsea’s face, when the 19-year-old Paradise resident received her crown from last year’s winner, Mandi Gale of Grand Falls-Windsor.
Chelsea said she would have been satisfied with a top-5 finish in the 10-competitor field.
“I’m shocked, amazed and I can’t believe I won,” she said. “I said before I went on stage that anyone could win, and it is a complete honour to win.
“I can’t believe that I did.”
To go along with the crown and title as Miss Newfoundland and Labrador, Chelsea also walked away as a co-winner of Miss Talent. Courtney Woodford of Triton was the other co-winner.
This year marked the first time in seven years that there was not a competitor from the Trinity-Conception region.
However, that is not to say there was not a connection to the region amongst competitors.
Chelsea’s father, Brian, is originally from Harbour Grace.
She said the win was made more special by the fact she could capture the crown in her father’s hometown.
“I haven’t been here in quite sometime, but I remember coming here years ago and it’s a beautiful place,” she said.
For complete coverage, including story and more photos, pick up of the Oct. 2 print edition of The Compass.
nmercer@cbncompass.ca
