What is the craziest thing you have ever done? Jump out of a plane 14,000 feet in the air after my third year of undergrad was over! I screamed on the entire way up, and definitely the entire way down. It was during those ten minutes that I finally understood the true meaning of living in the moment! Bungee Jumping was a close second. Please list any schools and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, graduation date and any degree or certification you received. - I graduated high school from Caledonia Senior Secondary in Terrace BC. - I completed my first two years of my undergrad degree at The Northwest Community College - I moved down South to complete my last two years of my degree at the University of the Fraser Valley - I will be graduating this year with a Bachelors of Science, with a major in Biology and a minor in Kinesiology - I have written my medical exams two summers ago, and am planning for a career in Medicine.

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?

I am the founder of an organization called 'Relay of Hope'. It started when a friend was paralyzed in a motor biking accident. I decided to run across the province of British Columbia to raise funds for physically disabled people. The relay was a nine day event which started in Lake Louise Alberta and finished in Canada Place, Vancouver; and was completed by myself and another woman! The run was such a success that I decided to make it an annual event and have involved more people in it since.

While running across the province of British Columbia I raised $20,000 in donations and sponsorships for a non profit organization known as BC REHAB. BC Rehab is part of Vancouver General Hospital and is the place where physically disabled people go and learn how to adjust to their new life. Sports and outdoor activities have been a very important part of my life and, therefore, all the funds raised have gone to the recreational program at BC rehab so that the patients can still participate in activities such as wheel chair basketball, kayaking, and camping. During my run across BC, I developed an amazing relationship with BC rehab and am now volunteering with them on a consistent basis. I am a member of the BC rehab volunteer committee where we have honoured six top Canadian companies for making the greatest difference in the lives of people who have been living with physical disabilities, and I have also participated in fundraising galas as well.

I was elected the youth representative for the Progressive Conservatives in the Central Fraser Valley in the summer of 2003 when Jim Prentice was in riding to become the leader of the party. I did numerous speeches in the lower mainland and was selected to go to Toronto for the election campaign.

My 17-year-old brother has Down syndrome and ever since he was born I have actively participated in many educational seminars and events that have taken place. I assisted his coach in coaching him in soccer and was always there for support. While he attended the Children's Development Centre I was a constant volunteer.

I am also a big sister with the big brothers and big sisters of Canada to a wonderful little girl. As a big sister I am a role model and, thus, try to provide mentorship and guidance during our visits. We do numerous things together, and I can honestly say that she has shaped my life as much as I have shaped hers. Working with kids is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had. She defiantly has reminded me how to be a kid again.

I have also volunteered at an Old Folks Home in Terrace BC, and I return periodically during the summers and winters when I go home for visits. I had the wonderful opportunity to visit with an Alzheimer's patient. We played bingo together on a weekly basis.

I have volunteered at the Mills memorial hospital in Terrace where I helped out in the blood lab and emergency department for a period of time.

While I was living in Terrace I was the head of the Heart and Stroke committee and received an award for my contributions. I was a very involved individual in my school and my community and I received a gold service award.

I was also selected to go on an all expense paid Encounters with Canada trip to the beautiful city of Ottawa. I represented my city in an arts and culture week. I had the opportunity to participate in the House of Commons, Parliament, meet the Prime Minister of Canada, and jump in the Governor General's leaf piles without getting caught!

What would be your "dream job" in life?

My dream job would be to touch people's lives! I plan to have that dream job by becoming a doctor, by finishing the children's book that I am in the process of writing, by writing a pilot for a TV show, and by being a motivational speaker. I plan to live past 100 years so I am very excited to make my dream job a reality. Eleanor Roosevelt said it best when she said "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams", and I can assure you that I definitely believe in mine!!!!

Name one personal accomplishment (in addition to being a Miss Universe Canada contestant) that makes you especially proud.

A personal accomplishment that I am very proud of was learning sign language at the age of 12 when my Down syndrome brother could not speak English. I wanted to communicate with him as his teachers did at school to make the transition into a new language as consistent at home as it was in school. With the help of my family and the school system he no longer needed it and can fluently speak English now. We still remember the fun signs such as NO! And STOP!!

What is the most important thing you want people to know about you?

That a have a true desire and passion to connect with every single human being at a very deep level. Maya Angelou said it best when she said "people will forget what you said, forget what you gave them, but will NEVER forget how you made them feel." I consciously Maya Angelou's quote during every encounter I have with another person, whether it is a stranger at the grocery store or my very own mother!

What is your favourite movie, song, sport, and food?

Movie: Notebook and Spanglish…I'm a sucker for Romance.
Song: "Baby don't worry, about a thing" By Bob Marley…actually anything Bob Marley. Ha!
Sport: Squash…because I'm actually good at it!
Food: Cheeeeeeeese all the way!!!

What would you like to accomplish if you win the Miss Universe Canada title?

If I win the Miss Universe Canada title I would like to continue on with Advocacy and Fundraising. Many of us know that 150,000 people have died in the tragic Tsunami that has recently occurred, but what many of us don't know is that 8000 people die EVERY day from a viral infection known as HIV. With my title I would like to educate and raise awareness to the general public on the vital statistics of the disease. Billions of dollars has outpoured from the hearts of the world to help others in need for the Tsunami victims, and I would like to clearly advocate that the same needs to be done for those suffering with AIDS. We as a country need to do everything we can to bring the horrifying statistics of this disease down, and take control of the virus, before it continues taking control of our lives.

Another issue that has become very dear to me since working with physically disabled people is that of stem cell Research. In Christopher Reeve's book, Nothing is Impossible, he writes, " Today regenerative medicine is attracting thousands of young postdocs all over the world who believe that effective therapies for Parkinson's Alzhemier's, brain injury, stroke, MS, ALS, and other disorders of the central nervous system can be achieved . Instead, the main obstacle is the controversy over embryonic stem cells and therapeutic cloning. I believe that Christopher Reeve was and will continue to be one of the greatest role models of our time, and out of respect for him and other physically disabled people I would like to dedicate my time to this issue.

The title with without a doubt will provide me with the opportunity to be a national public speaker and role model. The issues that are important to the people of the country are where my heart will be.

A motto that has served you as inspiration.

"The key to an extraordinary life is an extraordinary psychology!" - Anthony Robbins