Are you currently a student? No

Are you currently employed? If yes, what is your occupation?
Yes. Professional Dancer

Have you completed secondary school? If yes, where?
Yes. Archbishop O'Leary High School, Edmonton, Alberta (2002)

Have you completed university/college? Not yet!

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).
20 years of Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Modern, Lyrical, Dance.
15 Years of Voice (Musical Theatre and Classical Training)
8 years of Modeling
15 years of Drama (acting for stage and film; Musical instruments such as piano and Violin.)

In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
I consider dance to be a sport- it's the most physically demanding activity I have ever been involved in.
I began at the age of 2½ and it's my heart, soul and life

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.
Archbishop O'Leary High school (2002) Honours High school Diploma
University of Alberta (concentrating on Political Science) incomplete as of jan.2008
Completed Stepping Stones International Tap Program (certified to teach internationally) Attended world Famous institutions for training such as Broadway Dance Centre, The Edge Dance in L.A, The national Ballet of Canada school and Banff Centre for the Arts for Master Classes and workshops.

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
I have supported the Burn Treatment Society of Edmonton
The Salvation Army
The Children's Stollery hospital
Several Orphanages in Costa Rica, Belize, and Cozumel Mexico, on behalf of Carnival Cruise Lines

What would be your "dream job" in life?
My dream job in life would be to act, dance, sing, and travel, while also teaching children who are interested in the same things. I cannot dance forever but I can share the love of it as long as I live, and I can't think of any other way to spend my precious time than using my god given talents to entertain people and teach enthusiastic children.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
One person who has had the most influence on my life, other than my parents, would have to be my grandfather, Tom Phelan. My grandpa has been someone I could go to for anything my entire life. His advice is wise and he always has supported me, even if he may have disagreed with me. I find his life fascinating, how he moved with his family (10 brother and sisters) from Ireland when he was child. How he has managed to be in a wonderful relationship with my grandmother for almost 55 years. He lives life to the FULLEST; he is a friend with everyone he meets. His spirituality, humour and kindness are character traits I aspire to have myself. I love him so very much, and have been so blessed to have the world's best "bumpa".

What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)?
My proudest personal accomplishment would be my senior year in high school. I choreographed the entire school musical, had a full course load, and was competing in dance and voice all over North America and I was able to achieve success in all areas. Within the same 12 months I was chosen as a dance and choreography captain for the 2001 world track and field championship opening and closing ceremonies, and was published for the first time in the local paper. It showed me what I was made of, and that if I focus and put my best into everything I do, I can achieve wonderful things. I never felt I was capable of such feats before. That feeling has been carried with me in all I have done since then to this day.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to experience all facets of the arts- to be a triple threat if you will. I'm currently training in dance, acting and voice, as well as, preparing to take a series of screenplay writing courses this summer. Inevitably, I aspire to become a respected writer, director, choreographer, and actress. I feel that tackling so many artistic pursuits will assist me in sharing those experiences with young aspiring actors, dancers, singers, and writers. I would also like to start my own Children's Arts Foundation for those who are in financial need, and a production Company for Canadian artists. I'm currently looking into government grants to start my company in 2010.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. My childhood was wonderful; I have one younger sister and two loving parents who have imparted me with a strong sense of faith, family, and confidence in myself. I began dancing at the age of 2½ as therapy for a walking condition. I was a premature baby and the doctors thought my limping while learning to walk was due to oxygen depravation at birth. They believed forcing me to put my heel down, in Physio and a small dance class, would help, but not rid me of the problem.

About 10 months later, from the dance classes I took, it appeared my condition had disappeared, much to the amazement of specialists and doctors. I could have cared less…I was having the time of my life in my little tutus. My childhood existed of going to school, which i adored doing, and attending dance classes in the evenings. Mom insisted that if our marks were not up to par, we would have to cut back on extracurricular activities, which just forced me to work very hard as I loved to dance so much. I have a very musical family, my mom's side is filled with authors and music teachers, and so my love for writing, music, dance and theatre was nurtured from a young age.

I appreciate the hard work my family put in to provide me with the opportunities I have had in the arts. We're all very close, especially with my grandparents on my mother's side, who live across the street. I'm very blessed to have all my grandparents, two of whom had quite the hand in raising my sister and I as they were so involved and lived so close. Very Irish by their nature, they've provided me with my stone cold work ethic and determination to achieve my goals. My sister and I grew up to be good friends. We are only 18 months apart so we have a lot of fun together. I love my family very much, they are the reason I am who I am today.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
Most of my jobs have been interesting. I often find myself playing characters when working for revue shows like the ones you see onboard cruise ships. I've been a human trombone, dancing skeleton, bond girl, driven a moped, and pretty much anything you can think of! I love the challenge playing different roles brings me, and the escapism it provides.
Oh yes, and in a show onboard the carnival Legend Cruise ship I played a rather convincing Ghost Buster.

List any volunteering you have done.
I have volunteered in many areas throughout my life. In my early years (ages 6-14) each summer I was a member of THE RHYTHM KIDS, which was a volunteer dance troupe that traveled to hospitals, extended care centres, cancer institutions, and seniors centres to do shows for Edmonton's Klondike Days. We often did 30 plus shows in 16 days. We spent a lot of time with the patients and residents after the performance to brighten their day.

In high school, I was always involved in the thanksgiving and Christmas Salvation Army Drives. Facilitating collection of goods, preparing the packages and taking them to the centres. This was a fun way to get involved with the student union and the religion department at my school. This was a very rewarding way to give back during the holidays. Our family is still very involved with donations today.

Each year since it started, students of mine, as well as, fellow performers, have participated in Hip Hop For Hope in Edmonton to benefit the Stollery Children's Hospital. A show is put on and the ticket proceeds go straight to the cause. It's a great way for something I love to help people, and I support them annually.

My family has been very involved with the Firefighters Burn Treatment Society of Edmonton. My stepfather, Gerald Hagan, was on the board of directors for years. A Canadian armed forces firefighter for nearly 25 years, my stepfather passed away from work related lung cancer in August of 2006. Since then, Mom and I have felt very strongly about continuing his legacy by assisting with their fundraising efforts such as "Cornfest" each fall. I was away at the time but I was very proud to support my mother in the weekend to end breast cancer walk in 2007, on the heels of Gerry's one-year anniversary. He was a wonderful man who helped anyone he could, and if I can devote my life to causes as he did, I'd feel I was doing him proud.

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
The most interesting place I have been would be the rainforest in Central America. I have never been so taken with natural beauty as I was during my visits to Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. Nature that is so untouched really makes me want to donate my time to conservation efforts because the experiences I had in those countries was breathtaking. I will always treasure how I felt being there - just thankful to be alive.

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
I'm not afraid to be just me! I have an eccentric personality, and despite being very serious about the things I involve my time and efforts in, I'm always passionate about what I do and looking to have fun while meeting new people. I like to get right in there! The more involved you get the better experience you have!

What is your philosophy of/in life?
My philosophy in life is that if you are passionate about everything you do, you will be successful. That -passion transcends into all areas of your life, people sense it and appreciate it. It also makes your life more full to be involving yourself in things you feel strongly about. That you love.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
In ten years I hope to be at the top of my game professionally, with some major achievements under my belt. I hope to have written at least one book, traveled until I'm ready to settle down, and be settled down in a loving, supportive marriage and considering a family. I believe Canadian women today have the world at their fingertips, and that there is no time like the present to devour those possibilities. I will marry when it's right and I hope to have my own children and adopt those who need loving parents as well.

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
At the end of the day, I am just a girl: a girl with ambitions, hopes, and dreams. I have personal struggles like everyone else. I miss my stepfather daily, and I wish I could comfort my mother more. However, we are all doing the best that we can, for ourselves and those we love. I'm not perfect, and I don't ever want to pretend to be. I feel I'm me because of the flaws I see in the mirror, that I'm a total klutz, and that I enjoy random activities like making pancakes for movie night.

I adore Thai food, I hate brussel sprouts, and if there was one food left on the planet oh let it be ritz crackers!! I injured my left ankle severely in march of 2007 and I see that as God's way of making me rediscover my love for dance, so that I might appreciate it more and worry about the paycheques less. I must say that it worked. I look forward to competing in Miss Universe Canada as I feel it is an opportunity to meet some of the country's most amazing young women. I look forward to being inspired by them, making new friends, and learning a lot about myself. Thank you very much for this once in a lifetime opportunity.