Height: 5’10”
Hometown: Duncan, BC
Sara Winter was born and raised in Duncan, British Columbia. This year she left her small town and moved to Toronto to pursue her dreams. Her goal in life is to inspire people to never give up no matter what struggles you may be faced with, and to prove that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Sara is a determined honor roll student at York University, who is studying her bachelor of science to one day become a pediatric dentist. She is also an international model signed with Barbara Coultish agency that has worked over seas in Korea when she was just 15 years old. Sara has also represented Canada at two international pageants, Super Model International 2012 held in Thailand, and Top Model of the World 2014 held in Egypt. She also competed in Miss Teen Canada 2011, where she was crowned Miss Teen Photogenic.
Modeling, pageants and school isn’t all Sara feels passionate about. Sara feels very strongly about volunteering. She is a volunteer mentor with Kids Now organization, helping kids that are victims of cyber bullying just like her. She also volunteers with Girl Scouts Organization where she helps young girls believe in themselves and help them achieve things they never thought they could. She has also raised money for Free the Children and Children’s Hospital.
Sara is a driven young woman. She is a very mature 19 year old, with a great head on her shoulders. Sara believes everything happens for a reason and sometimes heartache is a hidden blessing. All her struggles have made her into the person she is today. She believes her mom’s substance abuse, being a victim of cyber bullying, and over coming self esteem issues makes her relatable to many people all over the world, and she is ready to help them overcome their struggles just like she did.
Sara hopes to inspire people to follow their dreams. She strives for excellence in all aspects of her life. With school, modeling, volunteering, and keeping an active lifestyle while staying healthy. Sara loves traveling and learning new things everyday, she believes you can never be over educated. Sara understands that there is a deeper meaning to pageants and she wants to make sure everyone else understands it.
Sponsors:
Greg’s RV, Fun Pacific Golf Course, Win Management, Reflextions Dental, Party Mood, Sparks Salon, Grande West Transportation, Cowichan Golf Course
Languages spoken fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language).
English
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
I love to travel and learn new things about different cultures. My interests include: modeling, public speaking, dancing, pageants, and golf. I enjoy modeling most of all it is one of my strongest passions in life.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
I have studied dance at Carolson School of Dance for 5 years. Types of dance include: jazz, hip-hop. Ballet, and musical theater. I have also been signed to an international modeling agency since I was 14, where I have learned all the skills of modeling and have been sent over seas to model.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
Considering I live on a golf course, I have golfed for 9 years now, and it is something I enjoy doing with my dad. I also love running, yoga, and boxing, I find all those activities help me relieve stress when needed.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
Aside from my dad, my older sister Mandy has been a strong influence in my life. Considering I don’t have a mother figure she has always stepped in and been a mom, sister, and best friend when I need one. She started pageants before I did and encouraged me to as well. Mandy is such an intelligent strong women, who always teaches me new things. She always believes in my goals and dreams, and if it were not for Mandy, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
One of my proudest moments would have to be when I was chosen to represent Canada at Top Model of the World 2014 in El Gouna, Egypt. It was an incredible learning experience, and I grew as a person. I made friends from all around the world, and got to experience a whole new culture. It is an honor to say that I got to represent our beautiful country Canada. And I am still very proud I got to wear the Canada Sash to this day.
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 like to think that heartache is a hidden blessing in disguise. My mother left our family when I was 11 years old, due to drug abuse. It made me grow into a strong woman with a good head on her shoulders. I believe that it taught me to never judge people, and listen to every ones story. It built character in myself and made me the person I am today. I believe everything happens for a reason and now it is my time to help people go through what I did. And no matter what you go through in life if you can achieve your goals and dreams, if you work hard and never give up.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
I am currently going to school for pediatric dentistry. That is a career I have wanted ever since a personal experience as a child at the dentist. Since then I knew I wanted to help kids over come their fear and help them gain confidence with a perfect smile. I enjoy sciences so it fits me perfectly. I also would love to continue to pursue modeling for as long as I can. I don’t want to just model, I want to be a role model for young girls with self-esteem issues, and help them be comfortable in their own skin. It is something the modeling industry has taught me and I believe it is my time to teach other girls. I plan to keep working hard at both of these goals until I achieve them.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My dream job in life would be something with these qualities. It would be a job where I can help people over come their struggles in life. I want to inspire people to follow their dreams no matter what. Also it would be a job where I had the ability to travel and always keep learning new things. It would have to be a flexible job, so I always have time for my family and to eventually build a family of my own. Most importantly it would be something I loved doing, because like they say “find a job you love and that way you don’t have to work another day of your life.”
Are you currently a student?
Yes
If yes, where?
York University.
Area of study:
Science
Are you currently employed?
Yes
If yes, what is your occupation?
International model at Barbara Coultish Agency.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was raised in Duncan, British Columbia. Duncan is a small town located on Vancouver Island. I am very proud of where I come from and I believe West Coast is the best coast. It was an amazing place to grow up because it is very family orientated. My childhood was one of the happiest times of my life. We were very fortunate to be able to travel as a family a lot, and go to Alberta every summer where a lot of my dad’s family is located. My childhood is where all of my happiest memories of my mother are located, and it was a happy time for all of us. Duncan is an extremely friendly environment and I am blessed that they have supported me through Miss Universe Canada 2014.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
One of the most interesting jobs I have had would be when I signed an international modeling contract with Ace Agency in Seoul, Korea. I went to Seoul to work for Ace Agency when I was 15 years old. It is an experience that taught me a lot about myself, and the modeling industry, although I only stayed for two weeks, instead of three months. It was an incredible milestone in my life, and I was very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Ace Agency, when I was only 15 years old. The experience was something that made me really passionate about helping girls with self-esteem issues and it is a job I will never forget.
List any volunteering you have done.
I am a volunteer mentor for Kids Now organization, to help kids that have gone through cyber bullying just like I did growing up, and teach them the power of social media and make sure they are aware of how to use it properly. Other organizations would include Children’s Hospital, Free the Children, which I raised $2500 doing fundraising events around my community. Girl Scouts Organization where I am a volunteer mentor to help young girls believe in them self and help them achieve things they never thought they could, and many more.
What is your most unusual talent?
I don’t know if everyone would consider this an unusual talent, but I would have to say it would be my social skills. No matter where I am I have the ability to make new friends. I love hearing everybody’s story, I truly find people so interesting. I love learning and listening and making friends from all the around world. I know some people get nervous or shy around new people, but I have the ability to open up to people as soon as I meet them, and I always seem to make connections with them no matter what the circumstances are.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
The most interesting place I have been to would have to be Bangkok, Thailand. I traveled there for Super Model International 2012, and it was a magical place I will never forget. Their culture is so interesting, and I really acknowledge how much they worship their King, it shows how loyal Thai people are. They were so welcoming and friendly to all of us. They’re also known as the Land of Smiles because they are known for constantly being happy and choosing peace over conflict. It was a trip where I got to learn a lot about a different culture, and that made it my favorite to this date.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In ten years I will be a successful pediatric dentist. I will be a retired model that found success in the industry, and I will be a role model who helped people over come the same struggles as I did. In ten years I hope to have inspired at least one person and make a change in people’s life. Also I will be settled down with my soul mate who I will start my own family with one day. Most importantly I will find success in things I love and feel passionate and proud about, and I will be living a happy life.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
Miss Universe Canada isn’t just a beauty pageant to me, it is a chance to make a change and inspire people to follow their dreams. I want to help people see the deeper meaning of pageants, and help them realize there is so much more then the stereotype they have been given. I fee like I can relate to many people and that is important for Miss Universe Canada. I don’t want people to wish that they were I, I want people to feel like they are I, and that they are apart of this journey as well. I feel like I have been through so much for a reason and it is now my turn to help people go through what I have. I am so blessed to have made it this far, and I am ready to take the next step toward my dreams.
