Miss Universe® Canada 2008 - The Magic Continues

AGE: 22 | HEIGHT: 5'3" | HOMETOWN: SHERWOOD PARK, AB

Allison was born and raised in Lethbridge Alberta, but moved to Sherwood Park, AB in 2004, to pursue her post-secondary education at the University of Alberta.

She is currently in the final year of her Bachelor of Education degree, and is specializing in teaching elementary as she takes great pride in playing a role in the futures of our next generations.

Sponsored by: Source Office Furnishings, Let's Click, Stylist Christina Kier, Ooh LaLa Nails by Liza Soutar, ERA Face Cosmetics, Family and Friends.

Biography (click to open) ±

Allison's goal has always been to be a great role model. This is one of the reasons why she chose to become a teacher. Her passion for educating and informing children has evolved into the desire to educate and inform on a larger scale. Allison's ultimate ambition is to become a broadcaster. Having the opportunity to transmit information and knowledge to fellow Canadians is essentially teaching minus the classroom environment. For this reason, Allison believes that her current degree will greatly benefit her long-term career goal.

Allison is a compassionate, driven, and optimistic person, and her passions include reading, traveling, and fitness and she is trilingual in English, French, and Russian. As a former member of the National Honour Society, Allison has had the chance to work with numerous charities in her community such as Edmonton's Food Bank, the Make a Wish Foundation, Relay for Life, and also as a reading buddy in local elementary schools. In the future, Allison would like to bring awareness to cancer screening or early detection programs, since this is a cause that remains close to her heart.

If she were to win the title of Miss Universe Canada 2008, she would use this opportunity to focus on schools across Canada. As a teacher, she is aware of the shortcomings that exist in schools today such as declining enrolment and lowered graduation rates. Working with programs such as the City Center Education Project, which is a collaboration of seven Edmonton city center schools that combine resources, in order to offer enriched learning opportunities for all students, Allison would strive towards expanding this program into other communities.

Questionnaire (click to open) ±

Are you currently a student? Yes
If yes, where? I am currently a student at the University of Alberta.
Area of study: I am in the fourth and final year of my bachelor of education.

Are you currently employed? If yes, what is your occupation?
I am currently employed as a child caregiver at A & D Daycare in Sherwood Park, and as a beauty expert at a Shoppers Drug Mart beauty boutique, also in Sherwood Park.

Have you completed secondary school? If yes, where?
I completed secondary school at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in Lethbridge Alberta. I graduated with honors and a bilingual diploma.

Have you completed university/college? If yes, where?
I will be graduating from the University of Alberta this spring.

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)
I am fluent in English, French, and Russian.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
I completed my grade six Royal Conservatory Piano exam and my preliminary and grade one rudiment (theory). I was also on the U of A dance team for two consecutive years and had the opportunity to take several workshops at Harbour Dance Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
Though many people do not consider dance to be a sport, I took ballet, tap, and jazz classes for fifteen 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.
Lethbridge Collegiate Institute - Bilingual Diploma - June 2004
University of Alberta - Elementary Education - Bachelor of Education - April 2008

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
In high school, I was a member of the National Honour Society through which I volunteered at numerous charities such as the local food bank, the Make a Wish Foundation and the Relay for Life. Over the past 2 years, I have continued to support the food bank, and have volunteered at a few local elementary schools as a reading buddy.

What would be your "dream job" in life?
My "dream job" would be any job in which I inform others as well as provides important knowledge in the hopes of making a difference in someone's life. That job could be anything from small-scale (Teaching), to large-scale (Broadcasting).

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
One person that has had the most influence on my life is my sister Julie. She is fifteen years older than me and as a child I always looked up to her as a positive role model. She walks the fine line between responsible second mother, fun sister, and trusting friend, and now that she has three daughters of her own, I hope to share the same relationship with them as Julie has shared with me.

What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)?
A personal accomplishment of mine is graduating high school with honours and winning all three Rutherford scholarships, and an Academic scholarship from the University of Alberta. This April though, my proudest accomplishment will be completing four years of university and graduating with a Bachelor of Education.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to teach for a few years and then venture into broadcasting. I plan to attend a technical institute for broadcast journalism and aspire to work for a large network. Two areas of interest are Sports and Entertainment. I also plan to get my Masters in Education in the near future.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta. I had a very happy and carefree childhood and I think that was the great benefit of growing up in a small town. It was safe and close-knit, and I spent many summer nights outdoors with friends, playing games or riding bikes. My closest friends now are still the same ones I had in Lethbridge, though many of us have moved. I truly value my upbringing and Lethbridge will always be home to me.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
One summer I worked for a Home Care company. I was offered the job because they had a client that was an elderly woman who only spoke Russian. My job was to visit her in her home three times a week to ensure she was all right and to keep her company. Essentially she became like my surrogate Grandmother and would cook for me and share wonderful stories with me about her life. My Russian also improved significantly over that summer. I loved going to visit her and even four years after I moved from Lethbridge, we still keep in contact.

List any volunteering you have done.
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Food Bank
Study Buddy

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
The most interesting place I have been is Thailand because of its captivating culture and beauty but especially for its friendly and hospitable people. I was able to visit a rural tribal village and saw the dirt-floor huts they live in and how they cultivate all of their own food. I even met a woman from that tribe that was one hundred and seven years old. It was a very inspiring experience that I will never forget.

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
I believe that what makes me different and unique is that I am a teacher. I have a passion for working with children and take great pride in playing a part in our future generations. Being held in a position of high esteem requires you to give great thought to all areas and decisions in your life. You are a role model for hundreds of impressionable students and there is a tremendous amount of pressure to uphold the values you teach. To be an excellent teacher is a great accomplishment that not all can achieve.

What is your philosophy of/in life?
My philosophy is that we mould our own sculptures of life. If we are constantly down on ourselves, we attract negative happenings. If we are optimistic and strive to achieve our goals, anything is possible.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope to have a wonderful family and a successful career. I hope to be comfortable with who and where I am, fulfilled in all my personal accomplishments, and well on my way to completing my list of life goals.

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
I lost my Dad to colon cancer in 2004. My Dad was a risk taker and the most ambitious person I know and his enthusiasm and positive attitude towards life continues to inspire me every day. He was always up for the challenge and nine times out of ten he walked away successful, head held high. Now, as I create my own path through life, I often think of my Dad and remember the battles he won and the obstacles he overcame. If he could do it, I can too… After all, I am my Father's Daughter and I hope I make him proud.