Melina Svab
Height: 5’4
Hometown: Tecumseh, ON
Languages: English
Occupation: Retail Store Manager
Being a woman filled with determination and passion, Melina aims to inspire everyone she meets. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Melina knows there are countless opportunities for her to earn and achieve. Melina currently has 3 post-secondary degrees, and aims to earn her Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology in the next 2 years to further her career as a therapist working with young adults struggling with anxiety and mood disorders. With every job she has had, she has always found a way to work her way to the top. She believes that there is nothing that can stop you if you want it, you just need to take a chance and do it.
While struggling through undiagnosed mental health issues from youth to early adulthood, Melina discovered her passion for assisting others. Being a part of her community allowed her to make a greater impact when sharing her story. Discovering herself through shared experience, she found a love for pageantry. For Melina, pageantry is anchored in her passion for mental health awareness. She actively promotes her platform and how to cope with the struggles of mental health through her social media. No matter your struggle, your mental health matters because you matter.
During hard times, Melina has been able to build something from nothing. She owned and operated a small online business during the COVID pandemic that focused on using recycled fabrics, turning them into reusable items including scrunchies, headbands, and face masks. MV&Co was more than just a business. Although starting as a creative outlet to assist her through her mental health struggles during those tough times, Melina knew that there was more potential for this business and hosted fundraisers to raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). As a Sole focus project ambassador, she continues to dedicate her time and energy to CMHA throughout the years by assisting in any volunteering opportunities they have alongside hosting fundraisers of her own to support their organization.
Melina is honoured to be selected to showcase her determination and passion on the stage of Miss Universe Canada. She will continue to support her local community and hopes to be able to use this platform to reach a larger audience for the issues close to her heart. Melina is excited to have the opportunity to show that no matter where you are in life, every experience, every failure, and every achievement is a step leading you to a successful and fulfilling life.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
Some of my interests include painting, dancing, scrapbooking, reading, clothing design, and golfing. I enjoy art the most as it is a serene way to express my feelings and create something wonderful.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
Bachelors degree in Visual Arts & Psychology, over 10 years of visual art experience, 8 years of dance experience.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I have participated in golf, dance, and wrestling.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
My best friend Shauna has been such an inspiration to me. I met her almost 8 years ago at a photoshoot, and watched her grow into a wonderful person. Seeing her become a confident, driven, and enthusiastic woman inspires me everyday to continue to uphold those qualities in myself. We have uplifted, motivated and supported each other for so many years, and I will continue to share this with every person I meet in hopes I can inspire those same qualities.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
Being the first one in my family to graduate from the University of Windsor, and then from Fanshawe College with Dean’s Honor Roll Distinction with a 97% average is one of my proudest accomplishments at this time.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
Being a titleholder through COVID was one of the most interesting things that I have experienced in life. It challenged my skills and knowledge on how to maintain connections with the community while remaining so far away from them physically. I spent time learning how to complete online fundraisers, developing new ways to reach out to people to connect, and maintain my mental health. Identifying how to cope with mental health while being isolated and maintaining an online presence was hard until I recognized that sharing my story will help others as I am not alone in this. Building new relationships and connections through this time advanced my knowledge to better prepare me for the future.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
After graduating with a degree in Visual Arts & Psychology, I decided I will continue to fuel my devotedness to helping others by becoming a therapist. I have currently applied to pursue a Masters in Counselling psychology to further my career. Being able to help others find who they are, and give them the support they need to continue advancing in their life provides me with a sense of duty and accomplishment knowing I have been able to assist them and made an impact in their life.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
Learning about coffee became a passion of mine when I worked at Starbucks for 3 years. Knowing how the flavour had different tastes notes depending on where it was grown, and how different food pairings would enhance the flavour of coffee inspired me to continue to gain more knowledge. Since then, I have always wanted to open my own coffee shop that has a showroom for art, and host art classes, such as a morning coffee and paint sessions, or evening with wine and paint nights. It brings my love of art, coffee, and getting to know people all together to create my fulfilling dream job.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born in Windsor, ON. I have 2 younger sisters, and supportive parents. We never had a lot of money throughout my life, but my parents always showed us how to live our best life with what we had and be grateful for those things. When I was in highschool, we moved to LaSalle, ON. Living in a small town, you learned who your neighbours were, what they were up to, and how their life was going. They became part of your family. You see them at holidays, and have summer BBQ’s together. They are my chosen family, and I would not change a thing about it.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
I worked at a small family owned business called Art Splash for 2 years. Art Splash provided many different types of art classes. You could paint ceramics for keepsakes or take a canvas painting class. This allowed me to showcase my talents, but also help others create memories they will never forget. Although painting can be such a small activity, it has such an impact in someone’s life. Many of the art pieces made were gifts, or made in memory of someone, and the people and the receiving side of the pieces were full of emotions.
List any volunteering you have done.
Community service has been a large part of my life since I was 17. I have volunteered with a plethora of charities, but there are a few that have made a larger impact in my life. Cystic Fibrosis was one of the first charities that I became involved with. They did many events, but one that I was always at was the Princess Ball. This event consisted of encouraging young princesses and princes to be their best selves. Look up to the role models of our community, to give them more hope in believing in themselves. Transition to betterness (T2B) I have modelled for them in fashion shows hosted to raise money for their foundations, participate in their Halloween Spooktacular, and sell raffle tickets at the T2B Gala. The charity that has impacted my life the most is The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). I participate in the suicide prevention walk, Rock your Sole dinner and concert, and I have hosting my our fundraisers, including Move it: For Mental health and a handmade scrunchie fundraiser raising over $1500, while being and Sole Focus project ambassador for CMHA.
What is your most unusual talent?
I met a friend 8 years ago and she taught me how to belly dance. I was surprisingly great at it! I continued taking classes and self taught my self more advanced moves and continue belly dancing.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
After doing some travelling, the place that I found to be the most interesting was Cuba. When preparing for Cuba, I knew that the people there were struggling, but I did not realise how terribly. My family and I all packed an extra suitcase of supplies that we could hand out to people when met in town. We packed hygiene products, clothes we were going to get rid of, some candy for the kids, and more. When we arrived, we were able to meet with our tour guide who one of our family members met previously. She showed us the real Cuba. She gave us information on the struggles of daily life, what they saw on a day to day basis, and how they grew from it. When we asked our tour guide how she could be so happy living like this, she told us that “why be sad with the life I am living, when I can live a happy life with what I have. I am grateful for all I have and what comes my way.” This allowed me to perceive life in a different view and to stop stressing about the small things in life. Cuba had so much beauty in the destruction of everything around it, and its people lived life to the fullest.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In 10 years, I will be a counselling therapist, supporting those who are struggling with mental health, own a house, get another animal (preferably another cat), become married, and continue to volunteer in my community.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
Living in a life full of bullying was one of the hardest things I have ever had to overcome. In grade school I was bullied for being too short. In high school, I was bullied for having too much fat on my stomach, and my chest growing too quickly. A rumour went around school, saying I was pregnant. It was one of the hardest things I ever experienced, and I lost 40 lbs over the course of 3 months. I thought at such a young age, it was better to be accepted as small and skinny. Little did I know how much my mental health was affected. Since then, I have learned that I need to take care of myself physically and mentally, and to not let other people’s opinions shape who I am. I am me for me.