Relay for life means more than walking around a track, talking with your friends all night. To me, Relay for Life events represent that fighting cancer is like a relay. At times it is exhausting and frustrating. It seems like it's never ending and the research is continuous. However, the relay will end and one miraculous day we'll come out victorious when they find a cure.

In Moose Jaw on June 5th, I participated in Relay For Life to help fight cancer. I have to say I was pleasantly suprised at the amount of teens my age there supporting the event! I was on a team with Kelsey Keddy, Miss Teen Moose Jaw-World, and it was great to see her again. We decorated our tent and area with streamers, pink boas and other girly things to represent our team name: "The Beauties". It was a cold night; even snowing at one point! We had a small team of 7 members but proudly raised around $500.00 all together.

Cancer shatters the life of so many people. It's a devestating disease that affects 1 in 3 people during a lifetime. I wasn't lucky enough to meet my grandmother because she died at the age of 52 from breast cancer. My grandfather also battled colon cancer for many years of his life, and died at the age of 72.

For more information about this beneficial walk please visit www.cancer.ca/relay

Finally it's began to warm up and I'm on my third year at the same summer job. The Kipling Swimming Pool is 15 years old and the only pool for miles around. It's a hot attraction for all ages on those boiling days! I was a junior lifeguard for two years but this past spring I took my NLS and am now a lifeguard of the National Lifesaving Society. I work at our local pool and it seems easy but it's a tonne of responsibilities. It's more than the average job. It's more than water tests, working the cash register at the concession stand, staring at your feet and cleaning. You must pay attention to hazards in and out of the water and always keep an eye on everyone. It's taking care of people's lives and preventing horrible accidents from happening.

I learned how valuable lifeguards are, and how responsible they must be last year when I had to save a drowning child. I'm proud when I retell the story. It was as simple as a little boy going further than he could touch. It's something that you never think will happen when you're guarding, and when you consider it you just think to yourself that all you would do is panic. However, when you're in that moment you get this amazing adrenalin rush and your body acts before your mind tells it what to do. Anything could happen at any second. My experience last year will keep me more alert, cautious and confident that I can really make a difference.

On May 9th, I had the opportunity to participate in the Purina Walk for Dog Guides. This was to raise money for Dog Guides of Canada for people who are capable of everything but just need another set of eyes to guide them. About 30 people came out in the cool spring weather and walked their dogs around town, bringing pledges as well.

Wayne Phillips, a Sight Conservation CNIB Chairperson and dog guide user, along with his wife Donelda, with their dog guide Stewart of course, were there in attendance from Regina. They shared their first hand stories and did a great presentation of what dog guides are truly used for and the opportunities these companions provide. Wayne explained how important the feeling of freedom and security is when you have a guide dog there for you.

I've always been a dog lover and I realized how important Dog Guides are for people who can't get around without that extra assistance. I can't imagine not having my sight so I really support this organization and the opportunities that it is providing people.

Since 1983, the lives of over 1200 men, women and children from the age of 8 to 84 have been enriched by the services of specially trained Dog Guides from the Lions Foundation of Canada. My community raised $3022.50 for this great cause.

While I was visiting my cousins on the weekend I also had the opportunity to help out with some gardening. This was the community garden that people voluntarily planted and take care of. All of the food that grows there goes towards the community food bank, so I was happy to help out!

This volunteer garden gave me an idea to do the same in my own town. My plan for next spring is to organize a garden foodbank in my hometown of Kipling. Unfortunately, food banks are constantly struggling to feed their citizens that depend on them. I've grown up gardening with my mother, planting everything from vegetables to flowers and taking care of them every step of the way. This is a perfect idea that would really benefit my own community!

My grandparents live about 5 hours from me, and lived on a tiny farm yard most of their life. My childhood is full of memories playing on the farm and helping out. On the weekend I went back to visit them and although they recently moved off the farm I went back by myself to explore and reminisce.

They're also some of my biggest fans when it comes to my artistic ability. They always swore I would be an artist when I grew up! Art is still a huge passion of mine, as I love being creative. From dance, to music, to drawing, to painting, and sewing, I love it all. I was a cloudy day, but here are some of my attempts at creative/artistic scenery pictures.

         The flat prairies in the background :)

The first vehicle I ever drove. & the one my mom learned to drive with

To help me raise money for the official charity of Miss Teen Canada-World, Free The Children, I've been baking in my spare time. They're $3 for a dozen chocolate chip cookies. I'm willing to take suggestions if there's anything specific someone wants :) Just let me know! I'm ready to bake until the stores run out of ingredients haha ;)

In June I'll be having regular bake sales at the school every week, hopefully it'll go over well :) I would like to thank everyone that has supported my fundraising so far, and for my regular customers helping me out.

Miss Teen Canada-World finalists this year have been given the goal to raise at least $400.00 each. This will result in an outstanding contribution to the charity and a much needed change in many young people's lives.

Free The Children was founded by 12 year old in 1995 by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger. This program has already changed the lives of young people and their communities, helping children through education. Free The Children has built more than 500 schools around the world and has reached more than one million young people through outreach in North America.

I just want to take a quick moment to thank some people.

• Thank you to all of my supporters and believers who have helped me on my journey thus far
• My parents, family and friends for being there when I need anything
• My sister, Jennifer
• My local Lions Club of Canada for the generous cheque given to me
• Anyone who has purchased the baking I've been doing for the last couple of months!
• To those who have joined my facebook support group, that moral support really helps!
• To Tatum for her amazing photography skills when I got the chance to do a shoot with her!
• My aunts and uncles :)
• My school and community
• My sponsers who have helped me with my fundraising for the cancer walk I'm doing on June 5th
• All of my voters
• & last but not least, the Miss Teen Canada-World organization for the great opportunity they give to young women.

This list wont stay the same for long, it keeps growing by the day.

Thank you everyone!:)

Name: Annissa Cheyne

Title: Miss Teen Southern Saskatchewan-World '09

Age: 17

Height: 5'2

Hair: Naturally curly reddish brown

This is how I'm unique...

• I have an "angel kiss" (as I've heard them called) birthmark on my forehead.
• I have a scar on my right foot from my straightening iron.
• I only have one dimple in my cheek instead of two.
• My dad found my name off of a luggage tag in the Las Vegas airport.
• Saskatchewan in my opinion is the best place to grow up.

I have always, always watched beauty pageants on TV dreaming there was the opporunity here in Canada. And it turns out, there was! The Miss Teen Canada-World organization is an amazing chance of a lifetime for young ladies across our nation. I filled out the application, did an interveiw via webcam, got accepted and competed in Miss Teen Saskatchewan.

It took place on April 4th and 5th in Saskatoon, about a 5 hour drive from where I live. We packed up and left on Friday the 3rd, and I was literally sick with nerves. I wanted this experience so so badly and I desperately wanted to succeed. Thankfully, my nerves calmed down as the day went on. :)

Out of almost 200 applicants, I was among the top 16 gorgeous girls from my province. My sister travelled from Calgary to come support my endeavour. Along with my parents of course, and my cousins and aunts! I had a huge fan base in the crowd, and they ended up sitting front row. I really appreciated the cheering!

During the show, we revealed all of the skills we had learned during the last 48 hours. Our walking, our speaking, our dance moves, all 16 of us strutted our stuff! It was so much fun, dancing to the opening number, Kill the Lights by Britney Spears. I don't think I'm the only one who bought her CD after that ;)

 After introducing ourselves infront of the crowd, walking in our bikinis and evening gowns, and explaining our platforms the night came to an end. They announced the winners advancing to Toronto. To my suprise I placed 5th! out of 7 to move on. It will be one of the greatest memories of my life, and one of the best experiences.

In July, I'll compete against 50 other girls for the title of Miss Teen Canada-World 2009. This is just the begining to a great year ahead and an incredible chapter of my life!