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Are you
currently a student? If yes, where? Area of study:
Yes
University of Alberta
Bsc. Chemistry
Are you currently employed?
If yes, what is your occupation?
Yes.
I am vice-president of non-profit service organization called
Circle K. It is a volunteer position.
Have you completed secondary
school? If yes, where?
Yes. I attended Harry Ainlay and graduated with honours.
Have you completed university/college?
If yes, where?
I am currently in my fourth year of university at the University
of Alberta, completing an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree
in chemistry.
Languages spoken fluently
(please include your native language if English is not your native
language)
Punjabi
Hindi
English
List any special training
you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
I completed the drama program at Harry Ainlay with honours.
I attended East Indian dance training classes as a child.
In what sports, if any,
have you participated and how long have you participated in each
sport?
I played soccer for five years of which 2 were competitive. I
still play recreationally.
I played basketball for 3 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.
I graduated Harry Ainlay High School with honours.
I am attending the University of Alberta and am completing an
undergraduate degree in chemistry. I am enlisted on the Dean's
honour roll and my anticipated graduation date is fall 2009.
What charity/charities
have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two
years?
I truly believe that giving back to the community is one of my
most important responsibilities. Over the past two years I have
worked with Alberta Diabetes Foundation, Cross Cancer Institute,
Canadian Blood Services, Bissell Centre homeless shelter and UNICEF.
What would be your "dream
job" in life?
Aside from my goals to become a doctor, I dream of one day becoming
an International Ambassador for Canada. I am very proud to be
a Canadian and want the opportunity to speak on Canada's behalf
on an international scale. My dream job is to stand up for Canada,
gloat about its achievements and offer help to other nations in
their times of need.
Name one person, other
than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life?
Why?
Many times we are eager to remember the person in our lives that
was always there for us, during times of need and of great success.
I am no different, however, in my life I have been blessed with
one friend who was not only always there for me but, he was also
always very critical of me. He questioned my actions, emotions
and has helped me stay grounded. The person who has had the most
influence on me in my life is Saje.
What is the proudest personal
accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant
competition)
I have been very blessed in my life and thus have many accomplishments
to be proud of. I'm enlisted on the Dean's Honour Roll; I was
invited into the Golden Key International Honours society this
year and have had the chance to organize many charitable fundraisers
through Circle K International. Of these having been elected Vice
President of Circle K International at the University of Alberta
is probably my proudest accomplishment.
What is your career ambition
and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
At a very young age I decided I wanted to become involved in the
healthcare field. At this time I am switching back and forth between
two professions, Doctor of Medicine or of Dentistry. Both offer
great advantages and I hope to decide between the two in the upcoming
year. I wrote both the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) and the Medical
College Admissions Test (MCAT) last year. I have completed the
prerequisite requirements for both programs with competitive results.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was
like.
My parents immigrated to Canada from India and I grew up in a
very traditional household. My parents tried very hard to instil
positive values in my brother and I like moral responsibility,
strength and humbleness. After I visited India for the first time
when I was five I truly realized how blessed I was to have been
born in Canada. I lost my father at the young age of 11 and the
most memorable parts of childhood were watching my mother, a single
widow, working so hard to provide us with our every need and want.
She is the strongest person I know, to have successfully overcome
so many obstacles and done such an amazing job raising us.
List any interesting or
unusual jobs you may have had.
When I was 12 I decided to start selling Avon products to my mother's
friends.
Then, at 13 I worked at burger king.
To top it off when I was in my first year of university I needed
a casual second job, so I signed up for a government service called
hire a student. My first job was pulling weeds out of someone's
front and backyard, 6 hours/day for three days.
List any volunteering you
have done.
I have been volunteering at Good Samaritan Nursing Home since
I was 13. I work on the Alzheimers and Dementia unit where I feed
patients, take them on walks, play games with them like bingo
and shuffleboard and read them biblical stories. Also, I am Vice
President of Circle K International at the University of Alberta.
Circle K is an international organization located on campuses
around the world. Our three tenants are service, leadership and
fellowship and we strive to build responsible and committed citizens
by encouraging and participating in volunteer events throughout
the year. (President Obama was a member!) This year I have organized
some major fundraiser events like the carwash for the Cross Cancer
Institute, Bissell Centre gift wrap and the six cents initiative
lemonade stand. We raised $6500 for the Bissell Centre Homeless
Shelter this year at the gift wrap and $1300 at the Cross Cancer
Institute carwash.
Where is the most interesting
place you have been?
The Taj Majal is the most interesting place I have ever been.
It is absolutely breathe taking.
What makes you unique and
different from the other contestants?
What makes us all unique and different from one another are our
life experiences. I believe that mine sets me apart from the other
girls. I lost my father at the young age of 11. Immediately I
had to take on more responsibilities at home including paying
the bills, working summer jobs to help my mother and tutoring
my brother in his studies. There are many strong women in this
competition; I believe I am one of them. My goal is what sets
me apart. I hope to inspire other young women going through the
same situation as I have to strive forward and realize that, although
the present may be full of obstacles and failures, there is hope
and success in the future to look forward to.
What is your philosophy
of/in life?
The golden rule - do unto to others as you would have done unto
you.
What do you hope to be
doing in 10 years?
In ten years I hope to be a successful business woman in the healthcare
field. I also hope to start a family.
Is there anything
you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that
has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
My father nicknamed me Peet after my great grandmother three days
after I was born. It's a boy's name, which is something that my
brother and cousins have never let me live down! A year ago I
was diagnosed with Celiacs Disease which means that I am allergic
to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. That means
I can never have McDonalds, puff pastries or coffee crisp bars
again!
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