Miss Universe® Canada 2008 - The Magic Continues

AGE: 21 | HEIGHT: 5'9" | HOMETOWN: CALGARY, AB

Adwoa Yamoah is a 21 year old Marketing Manager graduate from Mount Royal College, who intends to one day open up her own marketing firm. Currently, she is working as an administrative assistant while she pursues the marketing world.

Sponsored by: Tangerine Supperclub, Russ Doherty (Doherty Financial), Marsina King, Adam Snow, Family and Friends.

Biography (click to open) ±

Adwoa cheerleads for the Calgary Stampeders, as well as teaches Hip Hop at one of the most prestigious dance company's in western Alberta, the Elite Dance Academy. Recently, she participated in the Miss Sun and Salsa pageant where she won; teaching her anything can be achieved. Adwoa believes in giving back to the community.

She has been apart of the Run For A Cure, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, The Rock Solid Foundation and the Cancer Society to name a few.

If chosen as Miss Universe Canada 2008 she will like to continue her work with the Rock Solid Foundation which targets bullying in schools, while shedding light on the prevailing racism issue. Adwoa also wants to build a charity in her mothers name "Hannah" that gets funds to research and find cures for Sickle Cell Anemia, which has plagued her mom since birth.

Questionnaire (click to open) ±

Are you currently a student? If yes, where? Area of study?
N/A

Are you currently employed? If yes, what is your occupation?
Yes, I currently work as a dance teacher, server and an administrative assistant.

Have you completed secondary school? If yes, where?
Yes, at Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School In Calgary, Alberta.

Have you completed university/college? If yes, where?
Yes, I have completed College at Mount Royal in Calgary, Alberta.

Have you completed any technical/professional school? If yes, where? What subject?
N/A

Languages spoken Fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)
English and Twi

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
I have had training in Dance, including, Hip Hop, Salsa, and Jazz.

In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
I have participated in Basketball, Volleyball, and Dance. I participated in Basketball and Volleyball for three years consecutively, and dance for 11 years.

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.
University Elementary School- General Curriculum- Graduation Date:1998
Harold Panabaker Jr. High- General Curriculum- Graduation Date: 2001
E.P Scarlett High School- General Curriculum- Graduation Date: 2004
Mount Royal College- Marketing Management Diploma- Graduation Date: 2007

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
Rock Solid Foundation
Run For a Cure
The Heart and Stroke Foundation
Children Cottage Society

What would be your "dream job" in life?
To become Miss Universe Canada and go onto become Miss Universe, the third Canada has seen.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
My Brother. He has always taught me through his experience to always be myself. He has also helped me to understand that there is more to life than just meets the eye and to get passionate about something you really believe in. He has kept me stable and has given me guidance through my life that has helped me become the best person I cam be.

What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)
My proudest accomplishment is to have been the youngest to make it on to the Stampeder Cheerleading team. I had to overcome my personal obstacles and although many people doubted me, I still ended up believing in myself enough to have made the team. This in turn had elevated to me teaching at a young age; and, choreographing for different artists.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to open up my own marketing company. I have recently graduated from the Marketing Management program at Mount Royal College. I will continue to work in the marketing field until I have enough information and experience to successfully open up my own firm.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born in Accra, Ghana and moved to Canada when I was One year old. Having first lived in Toronto and Montreal for a few years before finally situating myself in Calgary, Alberta. Being the younger of two children my childhood was full of laughter, spirituality and adventures. My parents always took time out of their schedule to accommodate our lifestyles. Once in awhile we would go back to visit Ghana but I still call Calgary my home.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
Dance Teaching/Choreographing
Modelling

List any volunteering you have done.
I have volunteered for:
Rock Solid Foundation
Run For a Cure
The Heart and Stroke Foundation
Children Cottage Society
I also spent time with UVC where we would go to communities and clean up any trash or vandalism.

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
The most interesting place I've been is Ghana. Because I grew up in Canada it was interesting to see how others live. I will be the first to say that Ghana is not different in terms of quality of life, and standard of life in some aspects from Canada. But their beliefs and culture is very unique and I think we can learn a lot from them. They are some of the most positive people I've ever met. They don't care about the little things that at times can bring you down but instead look at the big picture. They are always happy with what they have instead of unhappy with what they don't. It has really made me a happier person because I try to always look at the positive things in life. I definitely think it is the most interesting place I have ever been to.

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
Because I have not met or gotten to know most of the contestants yet, I cannot say what make me different from them. What I can say that makes me unique in general is my personality, background and experience.
I am always making people laugh with my quirky humour. I know when to be serious, but know that there are also times when laughter and humility are vital. I am a very positive person and know that all things will happen for a reason, so not to get hung up on the past but look towards the future.
Being born in Ghana has made me appreciate everything that has been given to me, including being able to speak in two languages and being apart of the multicultural community that defines Canada.
I have experienced many things from my "Go get 'em" attitude which has made me become mature, being able to deal with anything unexpected thrown my way. All these things are what define me and they are what make me unique, and different.

What is your philosophy of/in life?
"Always stand for something or else you will fall for anything."
I truly believe this philosophy will help anyone through any hard decisions, obstacles or pressure in their life. It has helped me with mine.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
In ten years I hope to have my business or be in the process of creating it. I also hope to be married and have a happy family, good friends, and health.

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
My parents have sacrificed a lot for my brother and me, including at one point food. This has made me a strong individual, and although at times it has been hard to keep a positive outlook on life, I will always be happy with what I have been given. I will never sacrifice being me for someone else, ever. I will always be true to myself; as well as what I believe in and what I stand for. And I hope that my experiences can be inspiring and helpful to others.