Sarah Harrison - Miss Universe Canada 2012 Profile

Sarah Harrison | Miss Universe Canada 2012

Age: 24

Height: 5'11"

Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia

BIO: Sarah Harrison is European Canadian, born in Ontario and grew up as a well-travelled dual-citizen of the UK and Canada.

Sarah is experienced in many facets of brand representation and has locally, nationally, and internationally represented designers, corporations and non-profit organizations.

Sarah graduated from the Tourism Management program at NSCC, focusing on Eco-Tourism, and she is currently enrolled in her third year of a Tourism and Hospitality Management degree at MSVU.

Throughout high school Sarah has been an avid member of Student Government and Nova Scotia Secondary School Students’ Association.

Once in post-secondary school, Sarah was elected Vice President of her college’s Student Association and was in charge of Student Activities (varsity sports, intramural sports, social events, charity events).

Health and fitness have always been very important to Sarah. For years she was a swim coach while also competing in swim team, volleyball, basketball, track & field, softball and rugby. After high school she played for the Nova Scotia Women’s U19 Rugby Team at Eastern Nationals, later playing varsity for Saint Mary’s University. She is currently a sponsored athlete, competing in the bikini category of the NSABBA/CBBF and WBFF for the first time this year.

While in university and taking the course Small Business Management, Sarah decided to combine the theory education with practical experience so she started her own business at the age of 22. Her event management company was successful for the year of operation and Sarah had the honour of working events with Kevin O’Leary, Danny Glover and with fantastic companies such as DSM Telecom and Apeeling Orange.

Sarah is also a professional model and actress signed with City Models Talent Agency. This tall and curvaceous Canadian first started to gain recognition after doing a national ad campaign for Moosehead, when she was voted “Halifax’s Favourite Model” in Faces Magazine’s “Choice Awards” (reader’s poll). Since then, Sarah has modeled/acted in projects such as Atlantic Fashion Week, Halifax Shopping Centre’s billboard campaign, CTV Olympics commercial and many more.

Languages spoken fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language).

English (some French and a little Spanish but not fluent in either)

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

I have a passion for travel, fashion, fitness, and philanthropy. They each represent a part of me and I believe balance of femininity and ferocity is important. I volunteer my time to any worthy organization and try to convey a strong healthy example for the youth of today. I have competed in many sports throughout my education both individually and on varsity teams, and recently I mostly play volleyball in community leagues. I enjoy riding horses equestrian and have a love of animals. I’m interested in the arts and love acting, modelling and photography. My greatest passion is travelling and I’ve been lucky to travel throughout my entire life with my multi-cultural family. I have had the great pleasure of spending time allover Canada, USA, Belize, England and Scotland.

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

Outdoor survival (winter outdoor overnight course), equestrian horseback riding, volleyball, swimming, rugby, track & field, dance (ballet in elementary, hip hop/contemporary performance group in middle school, and belly dancing in high school), formal dining etiquette, cigar training, formal wine training (trained by Canada’s Master Sommelier, John Szabo), culinary training, and more.

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

I played sports through out my entire education and continue to be active in my adult life. I’ve competed in swimming, volleyball, rugby, basketball, track & field, softball, equestrian, and more.

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

One of the places that I had lived the longest was Greenwood, Nova Scotia where my sister and I worked as lifeguards. We both joined the swim team and competed at the provincial and national level. For four years, I swam for the Greenwood Dolphins Swim Team and I coached the Future League for the later two years after receiving my national certification. My Head Coach, Sherri Deustch was like a second mother to my sister and I; She was a huge influence in my life, as a coach, as a teacher and as a friend. She taught me drive and motivation, both for myself and for my team. Sherri mentored me as an athlete and a coach, and she helped me grow into a mature, responsible adult with compassion and determination.

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

I have many things in my life that I am proud of and it’s hard to say one is a more important accomplishment than another. I am proud of my education. I am proud of leading and representing my schools as Vice President, Minister of NSSSA and Class Representative. I am proud of the accomplishments of younger athletes that I have coached. I am proud of my modeling publications in magazines and on billboards. Ultimately, I am proud of my balance in my mind, body and spirit. My parents did well to raised me as a well-rounded individual and I’m constantly striving to improve myself – When you are your best self, you can help others the most.

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

One of the most interesting things that I’ve done would have to be going to Central America for International Development work. Belize is one of the most beautiful and humble countries I’ve ever been to and it changed me as a person. I was hosted by a Mayan community where they had no running water, no electricity, and they sustained their village from the [small amount of] food they are able harvest. To spend time with someone who has so little, and yet has so much pride and is happy to give so much generosity – it really enlightens your perspective on the world. It brought warmth to my heart to see the happiness we provided for them.

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

I have a number of career ambitions; I love modeling and acting and I’m going to enjoy this as far as it takes me and try to positively influence the industry, but I also have a love of the tourism and hospitality industry and I would love to eventually have a socially responsible and ecologically sustainable health resort, where people can get away to relax and educate themselves on bettering their lives whether they’re participating in the physical activities, healthy cooking classes or other activities I’ve yet to think of!

What would be your “dream job” in life?

I want to inspire and help others. Whether it’s through art or health, I want to motivate others to “reach up”. As Nelson Mandela said “as we let our own light shine, 
we unconsciously give others permission to do the same”. Rather than trying to be better than each other, if every person just tried to be a better version of them self, this world would be a much more beautiful and successful place. Becoming Miss Universe would be my dream job because it would help me reach a broader audience with my positive ambitions.

Are you currently a student?

Yes

If yes, where?

MSVU

Area of study:

I graduated with a college diploma and now am in the university half of a 2 + 2 articulation agreement. After two years of college I started my third year of a Tourism Management Degree. I study in university part-time while pursuing life experience with my current level of education.

Are you currently employed?

Yes

If yes, what is your occupation?

I am a model and actress signed with City Models.

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

I grew up in a military family; most of the men in my family are pilots and my father was no exception as a helicopter pilot for the Canadian Military’s Search and Rescue force. We were posted often and I travelled allover Canada and the UK. My father is British of mixed ethnicity and I am Scottish on my mother’s side, so I have my dual-citizenship with a UK passport.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

I started my own event management company at the age of 22 while studying Small Business Management at MSVU and have had the honour of working events with Kevin O’Leary, Danny Glover and amazing charity organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society. Another interesting job I’ve had was working with international development groups in Central American; I worked with a number of organizations such as Toledo Institute for Development and Education, and Sustainable Harvest in Belize.

List any volunteering you have done.

I have volunteered in numerous fundraisers such as fashion shows, concerts, sporting events, workshops and even car washes for organizations such as Canadian Cancer Society, Adsum House, Parkinson Society Canada, Parker Street Foundation, Youth Project, Children’s Wish, Canadian Diabetes, Lung Association, Hurricane Katrina Relief, Shinerama / Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and more.

What is your most unusual talent?

Most of my talents are “usual” like athletics. If I were to think was my most unusual talent might be that I’m very intuitive. My family and friends say that I can read them like a book and I’m inclined to agree. I can usually tell when someone’s hiding something like sadness or frustration. Often I can even decipher where they’ve been or what they’ve been up to.

Where is the most interesting place you have been?

I have had the pleasure of being in some amazing countries; the most interesting perhaps are Belize, Turks and Caicos, Scotland and England. I loved the architecture (especially castles) and history of Europe, and I loved the beauty and warmth (of climate and culture) of Central America.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

I hope to be my own brand and inspire people to be healthy and active. I also hope to be running my own business with a percent of profits going to World Conservation Union.

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

I think you did a great job of providing thought provoking questions and thank you for this opportunity. I feel that all of my previous answers explain me well as a candidate and I look forward to what comes next!

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