Miss Canada to Miss World 2008

Leah Ryerse, a 19-year-old resident of Hamilton Ontario and the Canadian representative for the 2008 Miss World Competition, the largest beauty spectacular on the planet, has high hopes.

"I am thrilled to be a new ambassador for Canada," she said. "I have grown so much this year and trained very hard to be Canada's first Miss World." Canada has never won and Leah is hoping that she can make MWC proud and bring home the crown.

Miss World is the longest running major international pageant launched in Britain in 1951 by Eric Morley. The telecast of the final competition is the world's largest live annual beauty pageant television event with global viewers in more than 200 countries. Aside from raising millions of pounds for charities around the globe under the banner of its 'Beauty with a Purpose' program, Miss World is also credited with directly influencing a dramatic increase in tourism in Sanya, China, host of the Miss World finals from 2003-05. Canada no longer broadcasts this popular program.

"I guess there just wasn't enough motor oil in the mascara. No one hot wired the hot rollers" said Connie McNaughton with a smile, president of Miss World Canada.

Leah Ryerse is the first Hamiltonian to win the Miss World Canada title since Connie Fitzpatrick, now McNaughton, won the title in 1984 and finished second at Miss World that year.

McNaughton now runs the Miss World Canada event here in Toronto. "We believe Leah has the right mix of beauty, magic, compassion and intelligence to really make an impact as our delegate on an international stage. Canada is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world with some of the most beautiful women and it is criminal that we have not yet won at Miss World."

A second-year student at McMaster University, Leah is pursuing an Honors degree in Health Studies and Social Work. She is also a professional model and has graced the catwalks of many designers' fashion shows and the famous Fashion Cares gala in Toronto.

True to the head office motto, "Beauty with a Purpose", Ryerse and all her fellow contestants diligently fundraised in the months prior to the contest for the Miss World Canada Charity of Choice, S.O.S. Children's Villages, an international organization dedicated to bringing homes, clean water and the essentials of life to orphaned and abandoned children in over 130 countries. All proceeds raised for this worthy cause were donated to an All-Canadian community revitalization project in rural Namibia.

Ryerse departs this Saturday, from Toronto Pearson, Nov. 15th, at 6:00 PM via KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIR692 to compete in the 58th Annual Miss World event. Leah will spend one month in South Africa, where numerous festivals and fund raising events in celebration of women's beauty, talent, fashion and culture will take place. The final competition will be held in Johannesburg on Saturday, 13th December 2008.

Southern Sun Brings Home Miss World

Southern Sun has been awarded the naming rights as the ‘Home of Miss World 2008'. This was announced today at the official welcoming of the 112 Miss World 2008 contestants at the Sandton Sun last week.

The world's most beautiful country ambassadors are getting ready to strut their stuff in South Africa for the title of Miss World 2008. Southern Sun will host all the Miss World 2008 contestants at their exclusive hotels during their month-long stay in South Africa. The final event will also be held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Southern Sun's prestigious congress venue in Johannesburg, South Africa on, 13 December 2008.

Graham Wood, MD of Southern Sun said “The Miss World Pageant 2008 promises to be the most prestigious international event this year in South Africa and we are looking forward to rolling out the red carpet for our illustrious guests. We know the world's eyes will be on them, and of course us. Southern Sun offers world class accommodation and service and we know this will truly be their home away from home”.

Sandton Sun will be the official ‘home' of the contestants and general manager, Peter Davidson and his team will make every effort to ensure that the Miss World 2008 a spectacular success as official hosts. The swimwear photo shoot will take place at the glamorous Beverly Hills Hotel. Sebastian Berinato, the general manager and his team will have the superbly envious task of hosting the Miss World in these exclusive surrounds.

Furthermore, Southern Sun invites the public to get special access to the Miss World contestants through a variety of exciting and innovative ways - namely via tailor-made web pages that will be updated on a daily basis. “The Miss World event calendar will be available to the public and we will all be able to witness the ladies enjoying our beautiful environment - indoors and outdoors”, continues Wood.

To access the Miss World schedule of events please go to www.southernsun.com. During December, there will also be a variety of special Miss World special deals.