Kamloops has three newly acquired proud and talented young women to represent the City.

Alyssa Redmile earned the coveted Miss Kamloops title during a pageant at Sagebrush Theatre on Saturday night while Mikayla Russell and Kennedie Maidment won the supporting roles of Kamloops princesses.

To hear the top crowned competitor speak of it, however, there are no supporting roles here - all three girls are winners.

"There's no difference between us, we're all equal ambassadors to Kamloops," said Redmile, a Grade 11 St. Ann's Academy student who hopes to be a psychiatrist one day.

The girls gave speeches, showed their talents and modelled fashionable clothing for a chance to win top honours.

The level of talent at this year's pageant was phenomenal, said Redmile, which only increased the thrill of victory.

"It feels amazing, you can't even describe it," she said. "It could've been anyone. I was ecstatic when they called my name."

Now she and her co-ambassadors embark on a year-long odyssey to boost Kamloops at communities throughout B.C. and here at home.

Miss Kamloops is not the beauty pageant of yore, but a program that encourages teenage girls to broaden their horizons and ultimately gain confidence, said organizer Teresa Dares.

The candidates spend six months taking courses in a broad range of skills from public speaking and etiquette to financial planning and auto mechanics.

If anyone embodies this can-do confidence, it's Russell, a Grade 11 NorKam secondary student. After graduation, Russell intends to earn a business degree and attend law school to become a corporate lawyer.

Her first step, becoming an ambassador, "means the world," she said.

"It's an honour to be able to represent your community."

Maidment also called the title of princess a "huge" honour.

Her winning speech listed the benefits of youth involvement in the community, and drew on her experience as a candy striper.

She intends to graduate from Valleyview secondary next year and go on earn a science in nursing degree at Thompson Rivers University.