Are you currently a student?
If yes, where?
Area of study:
Yes, I am currently a second-year student at the University of Ottawa in the School of Translation and Interpretation, working towards a baccalaureate in French to English Translation with a Minor in Arabic Language and Culture.
Are you currently employed?
If yes, what is your occupation?
Yes, I am a Customer Service Representative at a community center owned by the City of Ottawa.
Have you completed secondary school?
If yes, where?
Yes, I am a graduate of Collège catholique Samuel-Genest.
Have you completed university/college?
If yes, where?
No, not yet.
Languages spoken fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)
My native language is Arabic; dominant language is English; and other spoken languages are French and Spanish.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
I took Tae Kwon Do classes for five years until I reached my Black Stripe, was taught how to play the guitar in middle school, played the recorder for three years from when I was 10-13 years old, and did one year of Hip Hop and another in Jazz.
In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
I have participated in Tae Kwon Do for five years; touch football in high school for one year; soccer one year.
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 have completed and am certified in Standard First Aid and CPR-C + training with a defibrillator. In the year of 2012, I plan on obtaining my baccalaureate in French to English Translation, to later be certified as a professional translator by the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario.
What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
I have supported the United Way, Shinerama, Make a Wish Foundation and the Blood, Sweat and Gears which is an annual fundraiser hosted at my workplace, aimed at raising money for our local hospital to provide its patients living with breast cancer detection machines and treatment. Another charity I plan on participating in is the Relay for Life, this upcoming March.
What would be your "dream job" in life?
Ever since I was young, I have always dreamt of becoming an astronaut. Still to this day, I dream of being able to travel into outer space to see the “out of this world” beauties of the cosmos.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
Other than my parents, my maternal grandmother has had the most influence on my life because the love and devotion she shows us is just beautiful and proves that nothing in this world is better, or more precious than feeling loved and taken care of by a deeply loved one. Having been through war, and experienced an accident in the past, she showed how versatile and adaptive a human can be. And although she lives overseas, our connection and communication never ceases. I love her to pieces.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)?
My proudest personal accomplishment thus far is to be the fortunate 19-year old I am today. This feeling, or accomplishment, comes from having an overly loving and supportive family which empowers and gives me the backbone I need to succeed in life, and be the very best I can be, not matter where I am led in life.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to combine travel with translations in the hopes of joining the United Nations. In order for me to fulfill that dream, I must complete my program of study successfully and then move on to become a certified translator. I then plan on obtaining a Master’s degree in Translations all while learning more languages such as German, Russian, Mandarin, Turkish, Greek, Latin and American Sign Language: I believe languages are what connect us all.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
My most memorable childhood memories are those of family gatherings over the holidays and Easter. The parents would all be upstairs, while we, the cousins, would be kicked out of the room and into the basement, where we would create improvisation skits and dance moves for Backstreet Boys, Britney Spear and N’Sync songs. My childhood also consisted of traveling to Syria every couple of years to visit my mother’s family, with whom I am very close to. Since our financial state was not good in the beginning, we never got the best of anything, but things changed over the years; and that experience taught me that money may buy comfort, but it certainly does not buy happiness.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
The most interesting job I have ever had is the present one. The diversity of people of different ethnic backgrounds I meet there is so interesting. One is really exposed to people from different walks of life and can truly learn from them. Apart from that, I am always sure to enjoy my shifts due to the great people I work with.
List any volunteering you have done.
When I was in high school, I volunteered to help prepare for the Gala Prix Trille Or 2007. I have done countless hours of volunteer work at my high school, including helping at an abused women shelter in 2008 for a leadership project my friend organized, at the parent-teacher meetings and guiding academic directors throughout my school.
Where is the most interesting place you have been?
The most interesting place I have ever been is in a cave in Turkey: It was one of the most beautifully magical places I have ever been, due to its grandeur and harmonious colours.
What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
I think every contestant, by nature, is unique. And what I believe makes me stand out is the fact that my parents, who are both of different ethnic backgrounds, have always reminded me of my heritage, which opened my eyes to the world and its diversity in cultures and religions. Also, I see exterior beauty as a blessing, something that can be taken away at any moment. But interior beauty is what truly sets one apart from the rest and makes a long-term impression on others. All these things combined, along with living in Canada –being the diverse and beautiful country it is—and meeting very different people create a dynamic and strong-minded personality.
What is your philosophy of/in life?
Life is too short to frown. You can tell this is my philosophy because I am always smiling and positive.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
I wish to be a good wife and a mother to beautiful grounded children with whom, along with my husband, I will travel to different parts of the world as they grow up, to remind them that one should accept and welcome others, as different as they may be. I hope to maintain the great relationship I have with the sister and parents I have been blessed with, and to make my parents proud, no matter what I do. I also see myself as a successful “somebody” who will deeply impact people’s lives and be happy with what she is pursuing.
Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself?
I am truly honoured and excited to be part of the Miss Universe Canada 2010 competition. I can honestly say this competition intensified an interest in humanitarian projects and active fundraising participation, and gave them more significance since I may have the chance to confront some important issues to a wide audience.
