Age: 23 | Height: 5’9″
Hometown: Delta, BC
Born and raised in the small town of Ladner BC, Stephanie Wong is a girl who was born with an insatiable curiosity for the world.
As a child, she was trained in classical piano and concert flute in school, while taking Tae Kwon Do, swimming, and visual arts classes outside of school.
Her time was always filled with new experiences in art and music. Furthermore, due to her liberal Montessori education, she was fascinated by her exposure to a multitude of cultures, as well as historical and spiritual customs of the West Coast.
By the time that Stephanie grew into a young woman, she was travelling and exploring the world on her own.
In her twenty-three years, she has travelled through Britain, Ireland, France, Monaco, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, China, Hong Kong, Morocco, Western Sahara, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, many cities in the US, and spent the year of 2010 living in Berlin, Germany with a work visa.
While abroad, it is her intent to absorb as much of the local culture as possible, have new experiences that she has never even dreamt of, meet people on different walks of life, and explore intriguing locations and places with a story.
Volunteering with children is also an activity that has always been of interest to Stephanie. Over the years, she has organized and led children’s summer camps at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and VBS, as well as bringing joy to children and adults alike at music festivals with her circus performance skills. In 2007, Stephanie worked with her classmates to raise enough funds over the span of a year, to construct a schoolhouse in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco with their own hands. Working and living in a remote village in Midelt, Morocco was a revolutionary time that changed many of her perspectives on life.
Another great love of Stephanie’s is working in the performing and creative arts. Circus performer, thespian, model, and stunt woman, Stephanie is a well-rounded patron of the arts. For many years, she has been a volunteer at various arts organizations in the city, such as the Vancouver Fringe Festival, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Stephanie has not only been trained at the European Stunt School in Copenhagen, but she continues to demonstrate her skills in the fire arts for films, music videos, festivals, and both public and private events.
Stemming from her love for stage shows, she is currently working with an industrial designer to create a line of innovative performance tools of the highest quality. Photography is also area of enthusiasm for Stephanie, and she currently works for promotional companies in Vancouver BC as an event photographer. On the other side of the camera, this artistic individual enjoys modelling as well as working with local alternative designers to showcase the avant-garde styles of her city and subcultures.
In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys urban exploration, trying new adventure sports, going out for live music, perusing for antiques, costuming, and being a part of a classic novels book club with her friends.
Stephanie is greatly honoured to have been selected to take part in Miss Universe Canada, as she is incredibly thankful to have found the opportunity to combine her passion for the arts and charity. She is looking forward to the change that she can create with the help of this pageant!
Sponsored by: Bonerattle, Why Knot’s Curiosities, IRL Events, Great Canadian Construction, Serenity Hoops & New Whirled Designs, Millenium Vancouver, Kryptic Nerve Makeup & SFX, House Gallery Boutique, Executive Wear NY, Richmond Eye Care, Dr. James Hsia Dentistry, Family and Friends.
Languages spoken fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language).
I speak English and Cantonese fluently, as well as some basic French.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
My interests are quite varied, as I enjoy having new experiences all the time! I love doing urban exploration, travelling, photography, perusing for antiques & taxidermy, art & music festivals, theatre & performance art, live concerts, adventure sports, swimming, exploring historic locations, and so much more!
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
I have attended workshops at the Vancouver Acting School, Vancouver Circus School, various dance classes, and completed a program at the European Stunt School in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
When I was younger, I trained in Tae Kwon Do, soccer, swimming, and ice skating. I have also tried scuba diving, rock climbing, and basic stunt work in recent years!
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
I would say that all of the extraordinary people that I have met over the years during my travels have had the most influence in my life. There have been so many unexpectedly inspiring and life-changing people from all walks of life who I have had the pleasure of connecting with!
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My proudest accomplishment, personally, is moving to Berlin, Germany on my own at the age of 20.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
I am absolutely overflowing with stories to tell – it could be the time that I modeled with python snakes, swam with a mermaid tail, drove from Berlin to Ireland and cycled around the country, spent the in an abandoned radar tower in Germany, camped out in the Sahara Desert, joined a circus troupe, or countless more tales. There is always a spectacular or learning adventure that you can be on!
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My ambition is to create a career that involves working with international associates, and I plan to attend the Canadian Tourism College in the upcoming year. I feel that participating in Miss Universe Canada will be a fantastic way to bond with other strong ladies with similar goals, and I am truly happy to have found an avenue that combines my love for the arts as well as humanitarian work.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My dream job would be a creative career in the travel industry. I enjoy my work as a nightlife & event photographer, and I love photographing architecture as well. However, my main passion in life is travel and constantly expanding my perspectives through new experiences.
Are you currently a student?
No.
If yes, where?
Area of study:
N/A.
Are you currently employed?
Yes.
If yes, what is your occupation?
Currently, I work as an Event Photographer, Model, and Performance Artist.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born and raised in a small town called Ladner, south of Vancouver. My childhood was very simple and idyllic! Ladner is a heritage farming village, with peaceful green farmlands, charming shops and restaurants, and a main street that is fairly popular for film sets due to its quaint atmosphere. Though I was raised in Ladner, I attended school in the neighboring town of Tsawwassen, which was closer to the beautiful and unspoiled West Coast beaches that I loved to frequent after school.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
The most interesting job that I have had was playing the role of a Greek Warrior as a Special Abilities Extra on the set of a feature film, where I got to learn stage fighting and battle with swords for several weeks! I also co-founded TE Performance Tools (a manufacturing company for fire and LED tools) last year.
List any volunteering you have done.
Over the years, I have had many volunteering positions, at locations and events such as: the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Vancouver Fringe Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, various modeling projects for charity, raising funds for World Vision, and the Global Perspectives program at my secondary school. This was a remarkable and life-altering program to be a part of; I spent one year fundraising to build a schoolhouse in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco with my fellow classmates, and in the Spring, we had the opportunity to fly to Morocco to construct the school with the community of Flilou, Midelt.
What is your most unusual talent?
My most unusual talent would be my fire-eating and fire-spinning skills!
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
While I have had the opportunities to visit many cities in my time, I would have to say that the most interesting place that I have visited would be Prague, Czech Republic. Not only is the city hauntingly beautiful, but I was fascinated by the dark history of the city, the delectable and rich food, all of the interesting hidden locations, and their choice in museums!
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In both work life, I hope to have achieved a career that allows me to work in the travel industry, and to be doing a progressive and meaningful job that allows me to use my creativity to change others’ lives in a positive way. Whether it is to reveal all of life’s hidden opportunities, or to take part in more humanitarian efforts in my own city or in another part of the world. I strive to be a powerful role model to inspire younger women to not only follow, but make their dreams a reality…because it is achievable.
In my personal life, I have a very long Bucket List that I enjoy picking random things to do from when I feel that I am stuck in a rut. One of my main goals is to touch foot on all seven of the continents, and to visit all of the Seven Wonders of the World.
