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Are
you currently employed? If yes, what is your occupation?
Yes, I work at the Montreal Children's Hospital McGill University
Health Center Research Institute. I work in a laboratory doing
research in Ophthalmology for genetic eye diseases.
Have you completed secondary
school? If yes, where?
Yes, I went to a private girls school called The Sacred Heart
School of Montreal. I graduated in 2000.
Have you completed university/college?
If yes, where?
I completed my collegial studies at Dawson College and received
my DEC (Diploma of College Studies) in Health Sciences.
I also went to Concordia University and received my Bachelor's
degree in May 2008 specializing in Biology.
Languages spoken fluently
(please include your native language if English is not your native
language)
French, English and Italian
List any special training
you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
I have training in hip hop dancing and I have taken drama
classes.
In what sports, if any,
have you participated and how long have you participated in each
sport?
I play ice hockey, I am a goalie. I have been playing since I
was 8 years old. I also played for team Quebec. I played soccer
for 7 years and I was a cheerleader for 4 years, 2 of those I
was coach. I also played tennis for 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.
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal (private girls school) I received
my High School Diploma in 2000
Dawson College, I received my DEC in Health Sciences in 2004
Concordia University, I received my Bachelor's Degree Specializing
in Biology in 2008
What charity/charities
have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two
years?
I have been supporting MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
for many years now.
What would be your "dream
job" in life?
My "dream job" would be to travel the world and
try to find and help as many children gain their eye sight back,
especially in third world countries.
Name one person, other
than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life?
Why?
My grandmother, she taught me how to truly love unconditionally.
How to be a strong, powerful woman and that I should always reach
for my goals no matter how difficult it may seem. I was blessed
to have my grandmother live with me for the last two years of
her life. It was the most amazing experience. I will cherish every
moment I spent with her for the rest of my life, she was an amazing
woman and I hope to one day be half the woman she was. I will
miss her forever.
What is the proudest personal
accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant
competition)
My proudest personal accomplishment was having the opportunity
to take care of my grandmother. My grandmother lived with me for
the last two years of her life and she was not able to do many
things for herself. My mother and I had all of the responsibility.
Although it was very difficult at times and it took a lot of dedication,
I loved and cherished every moment. Being a full time student,
then coming home and having to help take care of my grandmother
was very challenging. Yet, every time I look back at how hard
it was, I realize how amazing it was also. I had the opportunity
to spend so much time with her, and we had so many amazing moments
together. I loved being able to put her into bed at night and
say good morning to her every morning. I loved combing her hair
and painting her nails. It never mattered how exhausted I was,
because every time I walked into the room, her smile made all
my exhaustion and stress disappear. Every second was more than
worth it, and as I always say, I am living with no regrets. I
appreciated every second I had with her, I never took her for
granted and I never will.
What is your career ambition
and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to help find a cure for the debilitating
diseases I do research for. I want to help as many children fight
these diseases and hopefully help get their vision back. I hope
to accomplish this goal by getting as much experience in my lab
as I possibly can and also by furthering my education. I would
like to also get my Master's Degree.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was
like.
I was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec with my parents and
my older brother. We were and still are an extremely close family.
We lived above my grandparents for many years which I believe
truly strengthened the importance of family. My brother and I
both played hockey from when we were very young. My father coached
both of us and my brother coached me. We were always together
supporting each other. My family was at all of my games. I remember
going to my practices and always having my family there. While
all the other players' parents dropped them off mine were always
in the crowd. No matter what or when or how long, they were always
there for me supporting me every step of the way. I will never
forget that. It always meant so much to me. I have such a dedicated
family, and I feel so blessed to be part of this family, they
have given me an amazing life.
List any interesting or
unusual jobs you may have had.
The most interesting job I had was being a substitute teacher
in elementary schools. I loved every second. Knowing I was making
a difference in their lives was the most fulfilling feeling. I
came home every day with a smile on my face. Children are our
future and we need listen to them and instil in them the values
and respect they need for the rest of their lives.
List any volunteering you
have done.
I have volunteered at the Montreal Children's Hospital in the
Respiratory department, the Montreal General Hospital in the geriatrics
department and the Cystic Fibrosis Institute for Children for
many years.
Where is the most interesting
place you have been?
The most interesting place I have been to is Italy. My family
is from Italy and having the opportunity to visit where my grandparents
were born and where my father grew up was the most amazing experience.
Learning where I come from has given me such honour and respect
for my past generations.
What makes you unique and
different from the other contestants?
What makes me unique is that I am as interested in sports and
playing sports as much as I am into fashion and education. I love
watching sports on TV as much as I love playing them. I have a
passion for the fashion industry and I love learning. I am extremely
focused and I am constantly seeking ways to continue learning;
I am always taking classes to further myself in my field.
What is your philosophy
of/in life?
Live life to the fullest. Live each and every day as if it was
your last. Live without regrets, you miss 100% of the shots you
don't take.
What do you hope to be
doing in 10 years?
I truly hope I will continue doing research in my field. I hope
I will have made great strides toward finding the genetic link
between my patients and their diseases. I want to be the one helping
them see better and get stronger in order to beat their debilitating
eye diseases.
Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself?
Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing
about you?
The most interesting thing about me is that I played competitive
hockey for many years. I am a goalie and I played for team Quebec,
where my team competed in the national's and won. I was offered
many scholarships to play professional women's hockey in the United
States. I still play every week but it is no longer competitive.
Hockey is a huge part of my life and I hope it can stay that way
for a very long time.
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