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Are
you currently a student? Area of study:
I am currently a student at Brock University.
Drama in Education and Society, with a minor in English
Are you currently employed?
If yes, what is your occupation?
I am not during the school year from September to April.
However, I do work as a swimming instructor and lifeguard, during
the summer months.
Have you completed secondary
school? If yes, where?
Yes, I completed secondary school at Cardinal Carter Catholic
High School in 2007 in Leamington Ontario.
Have you completed university/college?
If yes, where?
No, I am currently completing my second year of study at Brock
University in St. Catharine's.
Have you completed any
technical/professional school? If yes, where? What subject?
No I have not.
Languages spoken fluently
(please include your native language if English is not your native
language)
I speak English and Portuguese fluently.
List any special training
you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
I have completed my grade 5 Cecchetti certificate of Ballet; I
also have completed my grade 6 Tap. I am a certified National
Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor for the Red Cross and the Life
Saving Society. I have my Grade two piano certificate and I am
majoring in Dramatic Arts at Brock University.
In what sports, if any,
have you participated and how long have you participated in each
sport?
I have played soccer since the age of five and still enjoying
playing with my family to this day. I also have participated in
basketball during my years in high school.
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.
I attended St. Louis Catholic Primary school and Cardinal Carter
Catholic Secondary school.
I am currently studying in my second year at Brock University.
I am majoring in the Dramatic arts, concentrating in Drama and
Education and Society with a minor in English.
What charity/charities
have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two
years?
Over the course of the last two years, I have supported with my
resources and time, the Hearts Together for Haiti Charity fashion
show fund; Autism Ontario (The Essex County Branch) Charity Fashion
show fund and Walking for a cure, the Windsor and Essex County
Walk for cancer. I donate money every year to MADD, Mothers Against
Drunk Driving. At Christmas each year my family and I donate to
the world vision fund and sponsor a child.
What would be your "dream
job" in life?
My dream job in life would be to open a School of the Arts in
Toronto that would resemble Julliard School of the Arts in New
York City. This would showcase our extremely talented Canadian
Artists and would also allow our talent to stay in here in this
great country Canada!
Name one person, other
than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life?
Why?
My University professor, Mrs. Jane Leavitt has had a tremendous
influence on me. Jane's amazing positive attitude and fearless
commitment to her goals and dreams is an inspiration. Jane has
travelled the world helping so many various students develop an
appreciation for drama in education. She has devoted years of
her life to educating and traveling the world, helping those less
fortunate to have the opportunities that we have here in Canada.
Japan, Jamaica and the Middle East are only a few of the places
that Jane has given of herself in aiding others. Jane has also
started her own charity known as TAP. This Charity raises money
and awareness for children in those less fortunate countries like
Jamaica. One day I hope to be as courageous and dedicated to my
craft as Jane has excelled in hers. Her unending generosity and
spirit makes me believe that any dream is attainable. Jane makes
me believe in dreams.
What is the proudest personal
accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant
competition)
One of my proudest personal accomplishments was becoming a dance
teacher. Teaching dance has helped build my leadership skills
and self confidence. The sense of pride and accomplishment I feel
when a student or a parent approaches me or writes to me and tells
me how I have helped them and made a big difference in their lives
is the most rewarding feeling. It is wonderful to be a part of
the learning process where self esteem and growth is evident.
The look on a Child's face when they realize that they are capable
is worth every challenging moment.
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 Secondary School teacher or a University
Professor In dramatic arts and English. To accomplish this goal
I am working very hard in University and am being pro-active in
my area of study. I am also volunteering my time as a teacher
to Brock Universities' largest on campus organization, Brock Dance.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was
like.
I was born and raised in Leamington Ontario; it is the tomato
capital of Canada. Leamington is best known for our main industry
which is Heinz Ketchup. It is a multicultural and agricultural
town and we were voted the number one place to live in Canada
by Mclean's Magazine in 2005. I was raised in a beautiful small
town that is surrounded by Lake Erie. I was extremely fortunate
as a child to have two loving parents who have nurtured me and
supported me my entire life. I have a brother named Jason who
is four years younger than me; I take the role of being a big
sister and role model very seriously. My grandmother has lived
with us since I was born and she has been a big part of my upbringing
and a great support system. During my childhood I was also very
fortunate to have members of my extended family including aunts,
uncles and cousins to be living in the surrounding area. Being
a Portuguese-Canadian has made me realize the importance of multiculturalism
and has given me the appreciation for other cultures. I was very
privileged that my parents were able to put me in such extra circular
activities from Dance, Piano, swimming lessons, to gymnastics,
soccer and figure skating. I realized fairly quickly that the
two main activities that I would excel in were dance and swimming.
My family gave me the tools necessary to develop self-confidence,
compassion, a strong faith and my leadership skills. I have learnt
these skills from my parents because they help out in the community
by forming and running the Leamington Travel soccer League. My
close-knit family is one of the most valuable things in my life
because they have taught me the importance of relationships in
my life. My childhood and upbringing has been filled with love
and support that has made me the person I am today.
List any interesting or
unusual jobs you may have had.
One of the most unusual jobs that I have had was working for the
town of Leamington. I worked for water services and went around
the entire town and painted several fire hydrants. This may not
be the most rewarding job but it was a great learning experience.
The job may have been unusual but it made me more aware and appreciative
of my community.
List any volunteering you
have done.
Some of the volunteering that I have done through the past few
years has been, teaching dance at various grade schools around
Leamington and the surrounding area. I did this in order to get
children active and fit. This dance club had a performance at
the end of the school year to showcase their newfound talent.
This included a dance group for the teachers as well, that I organized
and choreographed for. I taught two years of little league soccer
for the Leamington Minor Soccer Association. I also was a volunteer
in the Windsor Essex county Water Festival, where various activities
took place in order to showcase to the young students the importance
of Water conservation. This year in university I am volunteering
weekly teaching and choreographing a class for Brock dance. I
also volunteered at the Grape and Wine festival that St. Catharine's
holds yearly.
Where is the most interesting
place you have been to?
I must say that the most interesting place that I have been so
far in my life is Portugal. It was very exciting to see where
my grandparents and parents were born. To share that moment with
them was very rewarding. This allows me to have a better understanding
of my Portuguese roots and heritage.
What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
I would like to think that all of the contestants are different
and unique. Living in such a diverse and multi-cultural country
gives us the opportunity to showcase our differences. What sets
me apart from any other contestant would be my creativity, optimism,
genuine nature and my unwavering faith. My creativity and optimism
is contagious and inspires others to find their own. My genuine
nature and faith will hopefully to continue to set a good example
for those around me.
What is your philosophy
of/in life?
My philosophy has always been to 'Make good choices'. It is the
choices that we make that lead us to where we are going. By reminding
people to make good choices it will hopefully get them to think
twice before making important decisions. As a leader and role
model the choices I make showcase the person that I want to be.
What do you hope to be
doing in 10 years?
In ten years I would hope that I am a successful teacher that
has made a difference in the lives of her students. Whether advocating
education or creativity through drama and dance. I hope to have
had the opportunity to have travelled to many different countries
and learn from their culture and diversity. I hope that I am still
the same person who is living in the moment and cherishing this
wonderful gift of life that we are given.
Is there anything
you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that
has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
Global warming terrifies me. It scares me to think that we are
destroying this beautiful world that we live in and one day we
might not have this world anymore. One of my goals is to spread
information about this important subject. Being Miss Universe
Canada would give me a platform to speak about this issue and
other important issues as well.
Something interesting about me is that when I was born my left
foot was twisted outward very badly. The doctors said that they
were not sure if I would ever even walk properly on it. However,
due to my parent's persistence and faith, they massaged my foot
every day and since a baby's bones are sponge-like my foot moulded
and straightened out perfectly. I not only walk normally but I
am a dancer. This has shown me that almost anything is possible
with love and persistence.
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