Representing Sault Ste. Marie as a delegate in the 2025 Miss Universe Canada pageant was an enjoyable experience for Ann Ficociello.
This year’s pageant was held in Windsor from Aug. 7-9.
Ficociello recently spoke of her excitement about being a delegate in an interview with SooToday.
“It was fabulous. I loved it. I'd say it was very empowering and transformative,” Ficociello said in a recent post-pageant interview.
“I enjoyed being surrounded by other women that were very ambitious and inspiring. We all brought our own strengths and our own stories to the stage.
"It was really nice to be in that environment. It was positive and uplifting.”
Ficociello was one of 71 delegates from across Canada that took part in the pageant.
Jaime VandenBerg of Lethbridge, Alberta won the Miss Universe Canada crown and will represent Canada at the Miss Universe competition in Thailand in November.
This year's Miss Universe Canada pageant included 10 days of events and activities, including a gala dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of mental health.
“We had an opening gala the very first day. There were a lot of really fun events,” Ficociello said.
“All week we had a lot of rehearsals. We had to learn a dance number. I haven't danced in several years so I would say that was definitely fun to get back into.”
Before the pageant, Ficociello travelling to Toronto to attend weekly rehearsals in June and July, which included practicing runway walking and poses as well as public speaking.
She said she enjoyed walking on the runway and posing.
“For me it was more than modelling in a swimsuit and an evening gown,” Ficociello said.
“It was a way to express confidence, elegance and inner beauty on stage. I trained with the choreographer in the GTA with the other girls. For me, every step on that runway was a celebration of how far I’ve come and a chance to inspire others to carry themselves with pride as well.
"I thought I would be nervous but I wasn’t.”
The pageant included a public speaking component. Ficociello focused on mental health and female empowerment.
"Both of those are really close to my heart,” she said.
“I wanted to highlight the importance of breaking the stigma around mental health and just remind women to be confident and that their strength comes from embracing their struggles and their resilience. For me, it was about using my voice to encourage others to believe in themselves, prioritize their wellness, and know that they're capable of achieving anything that they set their mind to.”
Ficociello has set her own mind to several different experiences along her career path.
She has worked as a graphic designer and an occupational health and safety worker, and now she plans to tap into her entrepreneurial spirit.
Ficociello wants to start her own Airbnb.
“I like to learn and grow. I like to live my dreams,” Ficociello said.
Each woman in the pageant was required to perform a delegate mission for the Canadian Mental Health Association before the event took place in August.
For her delegate mission, Ficociello planned to bicycle 100 km throughout the Sault and raise $3,500 in funds for the cause of mental health.
Exceeding her own goal, Ficociello cycled 165 km, raising over $4,200, which put her among the top 15 delegates for humanitarian causes.
Funds raised from her bike ride went to the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Windsor-Essex County office because Windsor was the host city for the 2025 pageant.
“I’ve seen what lack of funding for mental health services does to families and communities. That inspired me to raise money and do the bike challenge,” Ficociello said.
One of the most important parts of the pageant for her was forming friendships with the other delegates she met.
“It's a sisterhood. I always wanted to be part of an empowered women's group and I feel like I now belong to one of the best ones.”