Height: 5’6″
Hometown: Drumheller, AB
Growing up in small town Drumheller, Alberta, my community is an important part of who I am. Throughout my life I was involved in all community and school activities and was a member of various sports teams. Each of these associations taught me critical values and skills. I come from a loving and encouraging family with two older brothers who always look out for me and my parent’s are the most inspiring and supportive two people in my life.
I was born with cleft lip and palate and had my first meal through a tube since I could not suck on a bot-tle. I have had five surgeries, the first being when I was less than six months old. However, this has not once held me back. I have always liked to expose myself to new things and venture into unfamiliar terri-tory. I want to inspire others that no matter the circumstances or incidences you have had in your life, it does not shape who you have to be. Rather, use these situations to encourage yourself to be strong and go places you didn’t think possible!
At 19 years of age, I am a AFLCA certified fitness instructor, a certified lifeguard and swimming lessons teacher, and a certified scuba diver. I have also competed in bikini bodybuilding. Currently, I am working towards my black belt in Karate as well as continuing my ballet practice. I am also an ambassador for the ‘because i can project,’ which encourages organ donation and is working towards establishing presumed consent for organ donation all across Canada. The ‘because i can project,’ is a profound cause and I strongly encourage ALL people to become organ donors.
After obtaining my business degree I plan to run a practice that is a holistic approach. Various aspects would include acupuncture, massage, chiropractor, yoga, nutrition and personal training. I want to run a practice that offers all the benefits any person would need to live a whole and healthy life. I hope to in-spire all those I encounter to lead a life of wellness, happiness and confidence. After all, “If you don’t believe in yourself no one else will.”
Sponsors:
HCM Lifestyle, Friends and Family
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?
Fitness is a major passion of mine. I competed in bikini bodybuilding and I am also a certified group fitness instructor in resistance training, portable equipment and group exercise. As well, I am a certified lifeguard, swimming lessons teacher and scuba diver.
I also love to read and go to movies at the theatre. Other activities I enjoy are biking, hiking and being active outdoors with family and friends.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
Currently I am working towards my black belt and continuing my ballet practice. As mentioned above, I have training in fitness, scuba diving and lifeguarding. I have also taken self defence course, nutrition courses and a fashion management and design course.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
In junior high and high school I took part in all school sports. I played volleyball, basketball, badminton, track and field, cross country and soccer. As well, in grade 11 I qualified to go to Provincials individually for the girls golf team. I also participated in community gymnastics and swimming and went to provincials for bowling.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
My great aunt, Doreen, had the most influence on my life. She passed away when I was fourteen years old, but prior to her passing I spent more time with her than anyone else other than my parents’. She was always a positive and aspiring role model. She passed away at the age of 84, but her spirit and liveliness was that of a 24 year old. She inspired me to live a life of being friends with everyone (she was the social butterfly in her older-adult apartment complex) and she lent a hand to every person that crossed her path. My auntie means so much to me and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart that she is my guardian angel looking down every day and radiating her light upon my life.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My proudest accomplishment would be competing in my first bikini competition on June 14, 2014. At 18 years old, this venture took more commitment, drive and self-discipline than I thought I would ever face in such early years of my life. The competition instilled values of integrity and strength at times when it would have been very easy to give in and quit. The process of competing not only changed me physically, but rather I mentally became a new person. My confidence transformed into a quiet, shy girl born with cleft lip and palate who always struggled with a positive body image, to a strong, happy and confident woman who had both physical and mental strength. I am so happy I accomplished what I did and that I will forever go on to lead a strong, healthy and confident lifestyle.
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 was born with cleft lip and palate and my first meal was through a specially designed tube bottle since I could not suck out of a regular bottle.When I was less than six months old I had my first nose, lip and palate surgery. By the time I was five I had four operations on my nose and lip, consisting of grafting bone from my hip. In the last two years I have had my jaw realigned and bone taken from my hip to build up my nose. As well, I had nose surgery to straighten my nose. Being born in Canada, I am extremely grateful for the profound medical treatment I have received. Being born with cleft has shaped me into a confident woman because I have over come so much and grateful for where I am today.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
I have great aspirations and plans for my future. After I obtain my Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in marketing and minoring in entrepreneurship, at Mount Royal University, I then plan to obtain my Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctorate. I believe that with a business background, particularly entrepreneurship, this will greatly assist me in running my own practice.
I plan to run a practice that is a holistic approach. Various aspects would include acupuncture, massage, chiropractor, yoga, nutrition and personal training. I want to run a practice that offers all the benefits any person would need to live a whole and healthy life.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My dream job would be going to my private practice and training people on how to eat nutritiously and exercise effectively. My biggest passion in life is health and fitness and I want to inspire others to lead a life of wellness. If I could give inspiration, confidence and happiness to others everyday when I go to ‘work,’I truly would be working in my ‘dream job.’
Are you currently a student?
Yes I am in my first year of university.
If yes, where?
Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta
Area of study:
Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in marketing and minoring in entrepreneurship.
Are you currently employed?
No. However, prior to going to university I was a lifeguard and assisted my mom in decorating for her interior decorating business.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
Growing up in small town Drumheller, Alberta, my community is an important part of who I am. Throughout my childhood I was involved in the community and school activities such as the as the Rotary Interact Club, Student Council, Salvation Army, Anti-bullying clubs, a mentor to a foster child, and a member of various sports teams. Each of these associations taught me critical values and skills. My mom ran a transportation business that her family started and my dad was a farmer. My parents’ encouraged me in every endeavour I pursued and were my biggest cheerleaders in all that I did. I was shown endless amounts of love, encouragement, guidance and support. As well, I have two older brothers- Trent (26) and Taylor (25). My brothers are protective and encouraging and I know I could go to them at absolutely anytime for anything. I am extremely blessed to have the loving and close-knit family I do and I have more love for these four people than I can ever possibly express.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
Beginning from a young age I have had a strong entrepreneurial experience. I opened up my first car wash business at the age of eight and then I went on to a baking business up until I was in grade nine. I enjoy being creative and inventive and getting a return on my money.
List any volunteering you have done.
I have been involved in volunteering from a very young age. Starting at the age of eight, I assisted my mom in organizing the annual Salvation Army Food Drive for my community. I also volunteered five years for the Annual Stuff the Bus for the Salvation Army which collected food for children going to school who have no lunches. As well, beginning at the age of 16, I became a mentor to a foster child named Josephine who was eleven years old. Josephine and I did various activities such as bowling, baking, and swimming. I was a mentor and a friend to her and it was extremely special to be such a critical role model in someone else’s life. I also established a Rotary Interact Club in my community which promotes volunteerism and citizenship in the community’s youth. As well, I took part in various community events for my local community facility, church and fundraisers to support local mission trips to Africa.
Being born with cleft lip and palate, I have a personal attachment to those also born with cleft. I have collected basic necessities and toys to send to ‘Operation Smile’ to give to children in need who have received surgery from the AMAZING operation. I am so happy to know that an organization as great as ‘Operation Smile’ exists for those who were sadly not as fortunate as myself to be born in ac country that has an incredible medical system to be able to offer surgeries to those in need.
Currently, I am an ambassador for the ‘because i can project,’ which encourages organ donation and is working towards establishing presumed consent for organ donation all across Canada. The project also donates any funds collected from the sales of their t-shirts, to families who have been financially impacted from transplant surgeries. The ‘because i can project,’ is a profound cause and I strongly encourage ALL people to become organ donors.
What is your most unusual talent?
My most unusual talent is my ability to organize. I absolutely LOVE to clean and organize and I do it anytime I am bored or have spare time. I have loved to organize since I was six years old and have always organized my friends and families homes and drawers. I get a great gratification in making a space organized an visually appealing and I would consider organizing one of my favourite past times!
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
The most interesting place I ever went to was Iceland in July 2014. Every summer my dad and I go on a father-daughter trip and this last summer we chose to go to Iceland. This was the neatest place I have ever seen to do the continuous changing landscape. Every twenty kilometres the landscape seemed to change-it went from volcanic rock fields to ocean views to mountains with waterfalls to open prairies-it was truly magnificent. As well, since we were there in the summer, it never got dark. This was a very foreign experience to me and something neat to witness. Over all, the trip was absolutely incredible and I definitely recommend that everyone include Iceland on their travel bucket-list!
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In ten years I hope to be running a successful holistic practice consisting of personal training, nutrition, acupuncture, yoga, massage and chiropractor. As well, I would like to have my own skin care line and workout program. My favourite quote is, “If you don’t believe in yourself no one else will,”and I believe that I can do this so I know I will. I am an ambitious and determined young woman and I plan to have success and happiness in my life wherever it may lead.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I would just like to say that I believe ‘Miss Canada Universe’ is one of the greatest organizations that can exist. I say this because no matter what comes out of the pageant, it means that over 50 young woman from across the country are doing their best to better themselves in all facets of their life by humanitarian works, promotion of great causes, healthy living and showing pride in their country. The pageant inspires confidence, communication and an over all sense of pride in who you are. I am blessed to take part in such a journey. Thank you!
