the best possible light.<br><br> cIt was a difficult decision, but through the selection process, our judges determined that Natalie would best serve our festival and our community as she fulfills the requirements of the role, d says Blundell. MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release Natalie is a 22 year old who has had a diverse range of experience and describes herself as being an entrepreneur. She has been a model; has started a networking web site and an online magazine/blog; has represented Canada in international pageants and done motivational speaking.<br><br> All of this was taking place while attending the University of Waterloo, graduating in June of this year with a degree in Political Science and Business. Natalie is a Cameron Heights Collegiate graduate and lists her hobbies as health and fitness, soccer, fashion and world cultures. She has travelled to over 50 countries and is committed to giving back to community, both locally and internationally and is currently working educational projects in Tanzania.<br><br> Natalie dreamed of being Miss Oktoberfest since she was a little girl, watching Miss Oktoberfest in the parade and attending family day at the Concordia Club. Miss Oktoberfest is a favourite among the thousands of school children she comes in contact with during the festival as well as through the more than 125 appearances she makes each year, including the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade. In fact, she is the second most requested VIP, surpassed only by the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest mascot Onkel Hans.<br><br> The search for Miss Oktoberfest began in August, when a team including the 2007 Miss Oktoberfest Nicole Stuber visited local clubs, restaurants and Conestoga Mall meeting with people to provide information about the competition and to encourage young women to participate. The competition was open to women between the ages of 19 and 27 who live within an 80 km radius of Kitchener Waterloo. About Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is a not-for-profit Bavarian festival founded in 1969 by a group of volunteers committed to contributing to the social and economic vitality of Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada twin cities with German heritage.<br><br> Canada 9s Greatest Bavarian Festival celebrates German heritage, food, music and festivities and supports more than 40 not-for-profit organizations. The festival is operated by eight year-round full-time staff, over 485 volunteers and 1,300 community and service club volunteers that stage the nine-day festival each October promoting a unique German cultural experience. As well as the economic boost the festival gives the local economy during the international festival, over $1.5 million is raised each year by the not-for-profit organizations associated with Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, the second largest festival in Canada.<br><br> - 30 - For additional information: Larry Blundell Executive Director, K-W Oktoberfest Inc. . 519-570-4267 ext.<br><br> 222

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