Local teen named runner up at Miss Teenage Alberta
Sarah Hodder was crowned Miss Teenage Medicine Hat in February and was named runner up to Miss Teenage Alberta.
Hodder was born and raised in Medicine Hat and spent her entire life here. Her family is from Newfoundland and she says that culture has had a large impact on her growing up.
She says she is excited and honoured to represent the city and she will be going to Toronto in the summer to compete in nationals.
Hodder says reading is one of her biggest hobbies and that she is starting her own reading program.
“Basically it’s about encouraging others to put down the technology and pick up a book to put our minds to work,” she said in an email to the
News. “Part of the plan is to go to local schools and present the dangers of social media and smart phone addiction, and why reading is such an important part of our lives.
“Mental health awareness associated with social media is not talked about enough in schools and such a recent and severe issue I hope to help the youth of Medicine Hat recognize and deal with in a healthy and safe way.”
Hodder, 18, says she was overwhelmed and excited to win the crown and that she will continue to compete as she gets older.
Hodder is heading to Medicine Hat College next school year and will be studying child and youth care counselling while continuing to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters Medicine Hat.