Chelsi Mittelholzer - Miss Universe Canada 2012 Profile

Chelsi Mittelholzer | Miss Universe Canada 2012

Age: 21

Height: 5'10"

Hometown: Markham

BIO: Chelsi is a highly creative and self-motivated young woman who is very proud to be a part of the Miss Universe Canada competition.

Born in mixed heritage, she embraces her West Indian, Chinese, German (just to name a few!) cultures and is grateful to have a large, wonderful and multiracial family supporting her from all over the GTA.

Her own multicultural background mirrors the diversity and multiculturalism of Canada making her all the more excited to be a delegate in the competition.

Chelsi is a second-year design student at OCAD University in Toronto, working towards a Bachelors of Design in advertising and hopefully a minor in photography and integrated media. She plans to pursue a career in creative direction in advertising, film and television.

She has a sincere interest in media studies and its effect on society and very much enjoys her studies. Chelsi loves nothing more than to get behind the camera, but so far it has been a lovely change of pace and growing experience for her to be in front of the camera during the competition.

An avid photographer and videographer, Chelsi was delighted with the opportunity to shoot for Toronto fashion week three seasons running and looks forward to using her photography and fashion experience in her upcoming career.

Growing up, Chelsi also had an affinity for athletics achieving her 1st dan black belt in Taekwondo and is proud to be able to break wooden boards with her feet and fists! She also participates in competitive basketball, education for swimming at the lifeguarding level.

She is a part of the OCADU improvisation team and has been acting, singing and dancing since she was two, starting with ballet training at young age leading up to musicals and on stage productions.

A huge believer in giving to people who are not as fortunate as she is, Chelsi sincerely looks forward to working with various charitable organizations. She feels that she has been blessed to live and grow up in Canada: an incredible land of opportunity and that it is necessary to work towards helping a greater charitable cause that is bigger than just herself.

If Chelsi were to be selected as Miss Universe Canada, she would use her platform to bring awareness to the atrocities in the world that can be helped or combated as she feels it is the sincere duty of any representative of Canada.

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 have a keen interest in photography, film and film making. I love to get behind the camera and shoot with digital and a variety of analog cameras, as film has been a passion of mine for quite a few years. I also very much enjoy spending time with my family and friends over food and good conversation.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

I have improvisation acting training as well as 4-5 years of theatre and drama performance training. I did ballet, jazz and musical threatre between the ages of 2-13. As well, I am currently a first dan black belt in Taekwondo and have a bronze cross certification in swimming and life guarding, and CPR.

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

I have played basketball competitively for over 6 years and also completed years of training to achieve my first dan black belt in Taekwondo. I am also a strong swimmer and have my bronzer croxx certification. I love to play volleyball, job and have taken some sword fencing lessons as well.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

I would say that my grandmother has been extremely influencial in my life. I have grown up with her from a very young age. She has taught me to be a king, hard-working and selfless indivisual. SHe’s one of the most giving people I know, and I am honoured to learn from her and to have spent so much time in her care.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

I am extremely proud of myself for completing my years of training to achieve my black belt in Taekwondo. It took lots of blood, sweat and tears to get to where I am now. I learned so much about myself and what my body is capable of. We were required to write numerous essays and complete various fitness tests before taking the final black belt test which in itself, was over 3 hours long of a wide variety of Taekwondo patterns and techniques, along with sparring at 5 types of board-breaking. I pushed myself as hard as I could, breaking far more boards than I would have imagined. By taking the time to focus and learn the many patterns, I learned the art of refinment until perfection, teaching myself every move again and again until everything down to my finger placement was in perfect technique. We also had to run a 10 km marathon, which was physically and emotionally taxing, considering before then, I was not a runner, but I am extremely proud to have all of these under my belt and to have earned a new one in the process.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

My career ambition is to become a top creative director in an advertising agency, a design publication or in the film production industry. I am studying advertising at the wonderful OCAD University right now and I am also building up my portfolio to put myself in the best standing for internships and future jobs in this exciting industry.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

My dream job would involve traveling, working with film and media every day at an international level. Whatever I do I would like it to touch the lives of others. If I am to make even one film that affects someone’s views or touches the media industry in a prominent and postiie way I would be very happy with my work.

Are you currently a student?

Yes

If yes, where?

I am currently studying at OCAD University

Area of study:

Completing a Bachelor of Design in Advertising and also likely a minor in photography

Are you currently employed?

Not full time

If yes, what is your occupation?

I currently work part time as an optometric assistant

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was born and raised in Markham, Ontario a lovely suburb outside of Toronto. I was born into a West Indian, Caribbean family and music and good food were always a big part of my childhood. I am lucky to have had a wonderful childhood courtesy of my amazing parents, younger brother and close relatives that I grew up with around the area.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

As a young aspiring photographer I was given the opportunity to take photos at Toronto fashion week. I had such an amazing time immersing myself into Canada’s rich fashion and art culture.

List any volunteering you have done.

I really enjoy volunteering in the community and have spent time volunteering with children at previous elementary school Unionville Montessori, and at the local YMCA teaching dance and overall fitness to kids

What is your most unusual talent?

I can break up to 3 boards with a number of punches blocks and kicks, my favourite being the flying sidekick.

Where is the most interesting place you have been?

I think that would have to be Paris. I am very keen on French culture and the language. When I had visited I was delighted to visit the Louvre and other local galleries and famous landmarks. I was enchanted by the local architecture and scenery. I look forward to living and working there for sometime in the future and mastering the language!

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

In ten years time I hope to have a successful career in film and advertising. I could see myself coming back from France or another European country to Canada to raise a family in a few years time, as I feel that Canada is one of the best countries to live and grow up in. By this time I would like to learn another language, be well established in the film industry, have a beautiful camera collection and look to settle down (with my Miss Universe Canada 2012 title under my belt of course!

Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

I am very proud and excited to be a part of this competition, through the GTA 2012 preliminaries I have learned so much about myself and other people. Having the opportunity to meet and work with so many girls that I would likely not have the pleasure of meeting otherwise has allowed me to grow so much as an individual. It has been an incredibly empowering experience and I can’t wait for the next round to push myself farther and use my position to influence the world in a positive way.

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* Special Thanks to Beauties of Canada