Melina Svab, a 26-year-old from LaSalle, Ontario, enjoys art, dance, fashion, and helping others in her community. She graduated from the University of Windsor with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Visual Arts, and from Fanshawe with a certificate in Autism and Behavioural Sciences. Melina is currently in the fashion industry learning and growing with Dynamite Clothing. Her aspirations include obtaining a Master’s in counselling psychology to teach and guide those who struggle with mental health.Community is a large part of Melina’s identity. She has been volunteering since she was 17 and it taught her how to assist and inspire others through a helping hand. She has been involved with a plethora of organizations including Transition to Betterness, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, SickKids Canada, and more. The organization that has impacted her life the most is the Canadian Mental Health Association. CMHA has taught Melina how to overcome her struggles with her own mental health and how to support others. As Sole Focus Project ambassador for CMHA of Windsor, she has been able to speak about her own experiences, inspire others to speak more freely about their own, and advocate for those who do not have their own voice yet. Melina has successfully hosted her own fundraisers including MOVE IT: for mental health, a scrunchie and headband fundraiser, online Zumba Fundraiser, and Run for Mental Health Fundraiser.

Melina has participated in pageantry for seven years and is incredibly thankful for all that the pageants have granted her; she is proud of her accomplishments attributed to her experience in pageantry. To Melina, pageantry is not just learning about yourself, but helping others reach their full potential. Melina was once asked, “what do you think is one thing everyone should experience in life,” and she said, “Failure, because the only way you can succeed is to fail so you know how to improve for the next time. I have experienced this multiple times throughout my life, and it has only made me stronger.” This quote she has live life with since, and it has brought her great success, including receiving the honor of being Miss Tecumseh 2019-2021. If granted the honor of representing the town, as Miss LaSalle, Melina will continue to inspire those to take care of and love themselves. Melina will show that confidence comes from within, and that anyone can achieve anything when they set their minds to it. She will continue make a difference in her community by being a role model for all those within her community, not only now, but as Miss LaSalle.