My name is Lenore Zainab and this is the story of my journey towards winning my first Beauty Pageant. I am 19 years old and from Kerala, India. An interesting fact about myself is that my mother had named me after Miss World of 1998 (Linor Abargil), which I believe played a huge role in my passion for pageantry. My mother’s name is Fathima Rehman and she is the number one reason i gained the courage to step out of my comfort zone and try pageantry. Throughout my journey she has shown me full support. I was born in Mysore and brought up in four different countries, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Canada. Right now I am a resident of the capital of Canada, Ottawa. Pursuing a career in Criminology and Law, I decided to take on an old passion of mine. Last year in December I applied online for one of the biggest Pageants in Canada and worldwide. I got an interview with the director of the company and Miss World Canada of 1996. She loved me and said that she saw herself in me, a young girl with dreams much bigger than anything she had ever experienced. Slowly I started preparing for an event I never thought I would participate in so soon. It was a full day of rehearsals, changing outfits, backstage laughs with my pageant girls and more. The final show came around and I had not expected to win but I had the honour of accepting the title of Miss Ottawa. I was the first winner announced and I could not believe it. Filled with joy and excitement for what my future held for me I graciously accepted my crown and sash. So far as Miss Ottawa I have had the pleasure to meet Miss World Canada, Miss Earth Canada, Miss Supranational Canada and Miss Ontario, along with many other Pageant Queens. Now I am constantly surrounded by driven, passionate and beautiful women who do their best to make a change in the world daily. I hope to be like the women who inspire me and make a positive impact in our world. After all, the best kind of beauty is a Beauty with a Purpose.