Bethany Bowen is a dedicated 21-year-old student, who is actively pursuing a career in law enforcement. She recently graduated from St. Clair College where she studied Protection, Security and Investigations and Police Foundations. Bethany received the Patti France President’s Award and Scholarship for her exemplary community service. It was an honour for her to be an executive member of the PSI/Police Foundations Society where she planned and participated in charitable events including, the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics, Play for a Cure, and The Goodfellows Toy Drive. Committed to the safety and well-being of her community, Bethany is employed at Caesar’s Windsor, where she has been a security and investigations officer and dispatcher. She is completing an Office Administration program at Centennial College and in the fall will be transferring into the Honours Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice & Legal Studies at St. Clair College.

Bethany began pouring into the community when she was only six years old. She convinced several teachers to have the children create Christmas Cards that she added to a care package that was sent to Canadian soldiers deployed in Afghanistan over the Holidays. Bethany’s social issues photography project on Homelessness in Windsor was featured at a local gallery and won the People’s Choice award. Her inspiration for the project came from her introduction to local homeless individuals while working as a supervisor at Tim Hortons. She would often purchase a hot meal with her own money when someone came in to escape the cold. She also created care packages with gloves, toiletries and Tim’s cards to hand out on some of the coldest days. Bethany was surprised to learn how many women and families are homeless and would like to bring further assistance and awareness.

While in high school, Bethany joined the Canadian Army Cadets Program. As one of the only females in the program, she gained valuable life and leadership skills that have helped her become a stronger more confident young woman. Bethany is passionate about dance and the arts and has volunteered and taught dance classes for young children. She has also taught pottery and painting classes to people of all ages and abilities including those with special needs. While working at Crock A Doodle, Bethany volunteered for Fight Like Mason, and The Cystic Fibrosis Princess Ball. Bethany is also a passionate runner and has enjoyed supporting local charities by running in races, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario (ESWO), Maryvale – Youth Mental Services and more! It was this same passion for running that helped her break a 30-year record for Track and Field at Walkerville. After witnessing bullying in a school setting, Bethany began training in mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and Krav Maga. She has several Street Self-Defence certifications and has volunteered and taught self-defense classes at a local women’s gym. Bethany’s driving force is her deep commitment to positively impacting and empowering others. She hopes to continue in these disciplines so she can work with women, teens and children, to share the joy, and physical and inner strength these practices have brought her and to show others, “You are strong and strong is beautiful”!

While volunteering at an Open House for St Clair College, Bethany was selected by the head of Police Foundations, to be one of the “faces” of St Clair College. Representing the college, Bethany’s photos have been on social media, in local magazines, and the cover of the Windsor Star. Her selfless investment in her community showcases her kind and compassionate nature. She believes that one person can make a difference. Bethany is excited to be a part of the Miss Tecumseh Pageant. She would be honoured to represent Miss Tecumseh in the community as well as The Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families. She is so thankful for all the support she has received and encourages everyone to participate in the upcoming “Run with Her 5K Walk/Run” sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart for “The Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families”. This event takes place on September 29th and Bethany hopes to see you there!