Miss Universe® Canada 2008 - The Magic Continues

AGE: 26 | HEIGHT: 5'5" | HOMETOWN: CALGARY, AB

Jennifer Boyce is an energetic, and focused individual, who believes that good family and friends are the foundation of life. Born and raised in Calgary Alberta, Jennifer graduated from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in International Studies.

She took part in their exchange program and studied in Bangkok, Thailand. She has traveled extensively, experiencing new cultures and developing friendships during her globe trekking adventures through Europe, SE Asia and South and North America.

Sponsored by: The Heartland Agency and Educational Services, LWR-Livestock Watering Recycling, Precision Underground Services, Wells and Associates, Renfrew Community Association, DJ Dlite, Industry Images, Avalon Salon and Spa, Crystal Image Photography, Family and Friends.

Biography (click to open) ±

Jennifer has learned a life-serving work ethic, positive social activism, intellectual rigor, and critical thinking from parents dedicated to addressing grassroots social needs. As part of a non-profit children's organization, Jennifer manages a team of intervention specialists, working to ameliorate the developmental lags suffered by children experiencing extreme poverty, neglect, abuse, and domestic violence.

Jennifer's extracurricular life is an extension of her social actions and love of human endeavor. In her spare time, Jennifer volunteers her organizational and people skills to on-going fundraising events for a favorite local Charity Foundation. She teaches fitness classes and loves the rush of teaching to a room full of eager participants and the satisfaction of participating in their progress. She believes in having a strong body and a strong mind and lives by the quote "dance like nobody is watching".

Questionnaire (click to open) ±

Are you currently a student? No

Are you currently employed? If yes, what is your occupation?
Yes. Monterey Park Site Manager for the Heartland Agency

Have you completed secondary school? If yes, where?
Yes. Bishop Grandin

Have you completed university/college? If yes, where?
Yes. University of Calgary

Have you completed any technical/professional school? No

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

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
Dance
Competitive gymnastics

In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
I was in gymnastics for 11 years, competitively for 6 of those 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 of Calgary; BComm-international studies, 2005
University of Chulalongkorn, Bangkok, Thailand, exchange program; January 2004 to June 2004

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
Evenstart for children society
Calgary drop-in centre society

What would be your "dream job" in life?
My dream job would be to be an entertainer; the singing and dancing kind! I love the rush of being on stage, being in front of people and getting the opportunity to do that all over the world would be amazing!

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
When I was in my third year of university I was at a very pivotal point in my life where I was searching for guidance and a good friend of mine, Andrew, encouraged me to participate in the exchange program in school. With his encouragement and guidance I moved to another country and was on my own for the very first time. This is not something I would have ever done had it not been for Andrew's influence. My passion for traveling, which has been played a large part in my life thus far, was sparked by him and the confidence he instilled in me to go and do it on my own.

What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)?
My personal proudest accomplishment would be studying/living abroad and traveling after that…this was the first time I was on my own, I was completely dependant on myself, it was the biggest personal test I had faced, Ii came home a completely new and inspired person.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to be a passionate and charismatic leader of an organization that succeeds in their mission to help people. I currently work for an NPO whose leader is well respected and known in her industry, she leads her organization with passion and truth and her only goal is to help children. She is my mentor and I hope to follow in her footsteps and to one day have a positive influence on as many lives as she has.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. My parents put everything they had into building their first home and much of my early childhood was spent in that house. I spent a lot of time outside playing road games with the other kids in my cul-de-sac. I remember becoming the most popular kid on the block the year my parents bought a trampoline. Once I started gymnastics all of my spare time was dedicated to that. I trained 3 to 4 times a week; it left little time for anything else. In between training my parents focused on making sure we did things together as a family as much as we could. My fondest memories would be us going skiing at Lake Louise in the winter and water skiing in the summer. Good family is the foundation of life and I am lucky to have that.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
Budweiser Big Rig (western Canada promotion team; promoting Budweiser, the NFL and the rodeo)
Sports and Animation Theatre production team (dancing, acting, announcing), Marival grand club & suites, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

List any volunteering you have done.
Evenstart for Children Society; Casino Fundraiser, Christmas Hampers
Drop-In Centre Society; Dinner service

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
Cambodia

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
The view I held upon entering this competition; the way I came to be in this competition and why I am in this competition. I think that because I am older then the average age of the ladies in this competition my life experiences definitely differentiate me.

What is your philosophy of/in life?
I like to live my life by the adage "dance like nobody is watching". Never be afraid to be who you are and do what you want no matter who is watching you.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
In 10 years I hope to have a family and be in a position that I can show them all the wonderful places I have been to.

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
Over the course of the past 7 years I have been lucky to have the opportunity to visit 20 different countries, i have lived and studied in Bangkok Thailand and I have also lived and been a member of the animation theatre production team of an all inclusive hotel in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. These experiences are what I believe have shaped my life and given me perspective that truly allows me to appreciate the life I am able to live in Canada.

I currently work with the Evenstart Children Society; the charity develops programs to help children that come from backgrounds of abuse, neglect and poverty. This past Christmas we raised enough money to provide Christmas hampers that include gifts for each member of the family, grocery cards, clothing etc for over 100 families in need. It is the most rewarding work I have done.