Miss Universe® Canada 2008 - The Magic Continues

AGE: 21 | HEIGHT: 5'6" | HOMETOWN: DOLLARD DES ORMEAUX, QC

Pauline was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec in a loving Persian family. Pauline graduated from John Abbott College from the Social Sciences program, and she is now attending Concordia University, completing her Major in Women Studies.

With her Degree in Women Studies, Pauline wants to continue her education in the faculty of law. Pauline wants to be able to use her Degree to support women's issues, such a violence against women. This is why Pauline is leaning towards family law. Coming from a close-knit family, Pauline strongly values her family, and when a situation like abuse is the cause of the destruction of a family, she wants to be able to help and solve the case.

Sponsored by: Casa Grecque (Pierrefonds), Dmitry Krivda, Francis Puilai-Law (Ottawa), Casa Grecque (LaSalle), Atomic (Laval), Gladiator (Laval), Scott Dorey-Servico (St-Laurent), Point Zero (Hudson), Mitch Soiffer-Foxcom-Galleries Normandie, Maqui Lounge and Spa, Family and Friends.

Biography (click to open) ±

Pauline was a competitive swimmer for 8 years and a lifeguard for 5 years, as well a summer water polo player and synchronized swimmer. Pauline enjoys sharing her training and experience with young children who looked up to her as their coach and role model.

Pauline is a fun, sociable, determined and persistent woman, and she hopes to be able to portray this to everyone that she meets in her life. With a rough childhood, Pauline grew up becoming the woman that she is with the help of her loving family. Pauline became a strong lady, because she had a wonderful role model to look up too, which was her brother. He is not only her best friend, but he has guided her through all the rough times in her life.

If Pauline were to become Miss Universe Canada, she would value this experience and enjoy every moment of it. Not only will Pauline grow with it, but also she will make good use of it and represent her country with such pride. Pauline will expand her personal project, which is called PROJECT AFRICA and build on her platform to raise awareness of the major issues that are affecting this country such as HIV and AIDS. Pauline wants to be a role model to young girls and be the voice for woman all over the world so we can gather together and defeat the inequality between the sexes, which still exists today.

Questionnaire (click to open) ±

Are you currently a student? Yes
If yes, where? Area of study: I am currently a student at Concordia University, majoring in women studies.

Have you completed secondary school? Yes
If yes, where? I have completed my secondary education at Ecole Secondaire Jean XXIII High School.

Have you completed university/college? If yes, where?
I have completed my college education at John Abbott College

Have you completed any technical/professional school? N/A

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

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
Acting
Modeling
Dance
Choreography
Public Speaking

In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
Competitive swimming- 8 years (Ranked 5th in Quebec for the 200m butterfly)
Summer synchronized swimmer- 4 years
Summer Water Polo Player- 3 years
Hip Hop dancing- 2 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.
Ecole Primaire Perce Neige
Ecole Secondaire Pointe-Claire High School
Ecole Secondaire Jean XXIII ( Diplome d'education secondaire (DES), Honor Roll (2001-2005))
John Abbott College ( Diplome D'education Collegiale, Social Sciences (DEC)
Concordia University

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

What would be your "dream job" in life?
My dream job is to definitely become a lawyer. After I complete my Major in the field of Women Studies, I will then apply at McGill University, to continue my education, in the wonderful field of law.
Another Job that I think everyone dreams of doing is to become an actress. Not only have I performed my whole life, but also I believe I have what it takes to do well in the industry and have been gifted.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
I would definitely have to say that my brother was the one that had the most influence on me. He was always my role model figure ever since I was a young girl. At the age of 21 he was on his journey to conquer his dream of becoming a pilot. Thanks to our dual citizenship, he was able to go to the United States and study. Now at the age of 25 he is the first officer pilot for Republic Airways. My brother was someone who had nothing much and with the encouragement of my family he endured 4 long hard years and succeeded. He is the perfect image of someone to look up too. Every time I get discouraged, I think of my brother and I keep my head up, because if he can reach his dreams, so can I.

What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)?
I would definitely have to say that my school diplomas are my proudest accomplishments. I am a hard worker and it was portrayed in my diplomas as well as all my awards given to me for being an honor roll student, and an active student body.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to become a lawyer, either in entertainment or family. To accomplish this goal I want to finish my undergraduate Degree Major in Women studies, then get involved in many projects where I can volunteer and build up my experience, then apply to McGill University in to the field of Law.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was Born In Montreal, Quebec and my childhood was a very hectic one, because I was put into sports at a very young age and it kept me very busy. I was raised in a very supportive family environment. Family is something that is highly valued and it definitely made us very close. As a student, I was kind of the social outcast because I didn't fit into what the kids liked. But it only made me stronger as I got older. I used my athletic side as my shield to ignore criticism and avoid peer pressure. As I started to dance and perform, I got out of my shell and soon got accepted by others. My childhood was difficult, but I had my family that stuck by me and kept my head up high. I am grateful for my childhood, because I am the strong woman that I am because of it.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
I don't think I've ever had an unusual job

List any volunteering you have done.
Special Olympics- Try outs
Rogers Cup
Forest village Pool Fundraisers

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
The sky - after jumping out of a plane and being able to fall 1300 feet, and enjoy the air and the freedom, I would definitely have to say that the sky is the most interesting place I've ever been too.

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
I believe that every single delegate is unique in there own ways, but what makes me truly who I am is definetly the person that I am. I am very strong willed, and perseverant. I will persist and push my limits to reach my goals. Every unique experience that I have lived has made me more wise and more aware. I am very disciplined and very organized. I love to educate our younger generation with the experiences that I have lived and help them grow into strong adults of the future. I am very gratefull for everything that I have. I am a woman of strong faith and I wake up every morning appreciating every gift that has been given to me.

What is your philosophy of/in life?
"GOD will never give you anything you can't handle"

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
In 10 years I want to be doing my job as a lawyer, and hopefully be flying planes for fun with my private pilots license that I want to receive in the few years to come. I also want to be able to travel and do a lot of work in Africa for the cause of HIV and AIDS.

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
I have been a lifeguard for the last 5 years at Forest Village Pool and have been the Assistant manager for 2 of those years. This has been a great job for me, because it is in my field, since I swam competitively for 8 years. I am the head swim team coach and head Synchro coach and enjoy it very much. It is a pleasure to be able to give out all the experience and training that I had, to the children. It's amazing to see these children grow year after year and how much more skilled they become after a summer of hard work. This upcoming summer I plan on becoming a flight attendant. I love to travel and I think that having a job like that will give me that benefit. It is a great experience and being able to serve and meet people from all over the place will teach me a lot and benefit me in many ways.

As for my pageant and modeling experience, I have competed in the Miss Earth Canada 2006, and won the Miss Photogenic Award, I also competed in the Miss World Canada 2007, Miss Earth Canada 2007, and was awarded the award for Best in Swimwear, and finally the Miss Universe Quebec 2007 and was selected to be in the top 20, but unfortunately I did not make the top 12 cut to make the Miss Universe Canada 2007. For modeling, I worked with an Agency called Carolyn's Model and Talent and did a few photo shoots with them, after getting spotted at the Canadian Showcase for Models and Talent. I am always interested in trying new things and growing with the experiences that I go through. I always like to take risks as well and enjoy life to its fullest. A great example of that was the day that I conquered my fear of heights by going skydiving. It was by far the most memorable day I've lived.

I love to write poetry, dance, swim, be active, eat healthy, shop and live every unique experience that I can live and be able to share it with others.

I am working on a project (Project Africa), with a few professors from Concordia University. This project is very fresh and slowly we want to create a solid platform on a major issue that is going on in Africa, and we want to work around that and raise money and reach our goal of 1 Million $ in the next few years.