First, why are masquerades important?
Friendship
I started doing competitions because of a friend—Competitions are the number one way to make friends. There is nothing like being stuck in a room with people you don't know, for hours, with the pressure of nerves. I have met so many frendly and kind people while being in the green room... I have almost met some horrible people—Avoid the horrible people!
Scary
Why would you ever do something because it's scary? You may be missing out on the best thing ever! I am scared every time I do a masquerade, but I push through and really enjoy the performance. Side note: you have a whole rooms attention for one minute— Why not shine?
Pride
Masquerades let you show off your work: you get to tell a judge all about how you made your costume; what techniques you tried; why you choose to add glitter when the character doesn't have any—YOU GET TO SHOW HOW PROUD YOU ARE OF YOUR WORK!
Awards
To be fair this may be higher for others and if I am honest myself as well. You may ask yourself why is it listed last? We all can't win awards, but we all can make friends, do the scary thing, and be proud of our work.
My Awards (by level)
Novice
- Best Novice - Sailor Moon - Tricon 2016
Journeyman
- Most Energetic - Performance - Costume Con 35 2017
- Best Use of LEDs - Workmanship - Con-Bravo 2017
- Best in Class - Performance - Con-Bravo 2017
Artisan
- Rose of Funk - Performance - Con-Bravo 2018
- Best Attention to Detail - Workmanship - Anime North 2018
- Best in Class - Performance - Con-bravo 2018
- Best in Class - Workmanship - Con-bravo 2018
Master
- Best Historical Elegance - Anime North 2022
- Best in Class - Performance - Anime North 2023
- Best Engineering - Workmanship - Anime North 2023
- Best in Class - Craftmanship - G Anime - 2026
Hall Awards
- Hall Award - Anime North - 2017
- Hall Award - Costume Con 38 - 2020
Competed but no awards:
- NCC - Team Canada - 2025
- ECCC Crown Cosplay Championship - 2024
- Anime North - 2024
Judging
- Con-g - Masquerade - 2025
- Pretty Heroes - Craftmanship - 2025
- Pretty Heroes - Lip sync Contest- 2025
- Con-g - Masquerade - 2026