AGE: 25 | HEIGHT: 5'6" | HOMETOWN: TORONTO

Natashia Groves aspires to combine her love of charity and travelling by one day establishing a Trust to provide housing and aid to disadvantaged and impoverished children. Her inspiration for this cause originated from viewing the documentary “Children Underground.”  The film illustrated the difficulties faced by orphaned children in Romania. The profound message inspired her to represent the University of Toronto in Geneva, Switzerland at the esteemed Harvard World Model United Nations conference which strengthened her diplomacy, peacekeeping and humanitarian skills.

Natashia volunteers at Habitat for Humanity, an organisation that builds affordable homes to break the cycle of poverty. She will volunteer at the 43rd Annual CP24/CHUM Christmas Wish 2009, an initiative to give children in need a Christmas. She volunteered at HOPE, an organisation that has donated more than $3.5 million to over 110 charities and has volunteered at Not So Pro whose charity involvement include supporting the YWCA Camps with money raised to send terminally ill children to Camp Oochigeas. Natashia fundraised for and participated in the Hot Yoga Challenge to Beat Arthritis for the Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research Centre Foundation.

The Performing Arts have always held a special place in her heart and she has enjoyed ballet since she was young. She studied at The Living Arts Centre and The National Ballet of Canada-DanceTeq. In 2008 she took part in a workshop with the English National Ballet & Sky Arts at The Palace Theatre in England. Her passion is discovering the history, romance, culture and beauty found in far-away lands. She has travelled throughout Europe to France, Germany, Israel, Spain and Switzerland as well as to the US and has recently returned to Canada from a year abroad in the UK.

The charm, grace and humility exuded by the legendary Audrey Hepburn has fascinated Natashia from an early age. Miss Universe Canada also represents these qualities that young women should possess along with poise, intelligence, generosity and empathy. Natashia has always strived to attain these traits and believes that winning the title of Miss Universe Canada would enable her to become a role model for young women. Natashia’s sincerest wish is that by participating she will be provided with an audience to bring awareness to the poverty affecting underprivileged children in need around the world and can inspire others to do more.

“Love and imagination can change the world” –Barbie

Sponsored by: Alisa Lyons (Make-up and Hair Services), Lavee Photography and Video, Jean Garey, Lorna, Jada & Tracey Groves, Ian McIntyre, Stacey Nolan, Fragola Swimwear, Family and Friends.