Veronica Salcedo - Miss Universe Canada 2012 Profile

Veronica Salcedo | Miss Universe Canada 2012

Age: 21

Height: 5'8"

Hometown: Dorval

BIO: Veronica is in her second year at Concordia University, studying Sociology. She then wishes to obtain her degree in International Business.

Veronica loves traveling and embracing her culture as she comes from two strong cultural backgrounds, Italian and Mexican.

She has visited many great cities like Rome, Mexico City, Miami, New York, and Washington DC. So, pursuing a career in International Business is ideal for her future.

Veronica loves fashion due to all the creativity that is involved in the process of designing. She also enjoys learning and understanding issues that are going on in the world to better understand the importance of living in a country like Canada.

It is important for her to give what she can to others (especially children) that are less fortunate so they can be able to have better education to improve their lives. For Veronica, education is crucial in everyone’s life because it is the foundation of free will.

Moreover, Veronica feels learning from experiences is an important part of life. Many positive aspects come out of it like discovering who you are, becoming more educated, and using these tools to better yourself in life.

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

I speak English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

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

I love traveling. As cliché as it may sound, it is more than true. It is therapy for me! Last year I visited four Mexican cities. I love embracing my Italian and Mexican backgrounds. They are both so different but, are both so full of life and culture! When I am here in Montreal, I love participating in sports like soccer and kick boxing with my friends. I love going downtown in the summertime! It is my favorite time of the year in Montreal.

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

I have participated in ballet, figure skating, and jazz ballet.

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

For almost all my life I played competitive soccer. I enjoy it a lot. For quite a while I was in competitive swimming also.

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

I would say my sister is a huge influence in my life because she is older and has always been there for me. She has accomplished so much and I really look up to her. We have also been through a lot and she taught me how to be a stronger person. For a while, I was not sure what I wanted in my future and she helped me figure it out.

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

Since the age of sixteen I have suffered from a disturbing anxiety disorder. I had always thought I could control whatever happened in my life and that nothing could ever go wrong for me. I would look at people who were going through a rough time and think, “That will never happen to me.” Then it did happen. I was devastated. I would think about my future and literally see absolutely nothing going for me. It really worried me. I was completely drained. It may not seem as it was a big deal but this really sucked the life out of me. I then realized that if I thought of my anxiety as a life obstacle to become a stronger person I could live a better life. I thought of the great things I wanted to do and I started to love life again. I started to think positive. I am a much more humble and empathetic person now.

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 think the most interesting thing about me is that I have so much patience with people. I like to always make people feel comfortable and will always accommodate to them. At the same time though, this is not mistaken for weakness. I will not let anyone step all over me.

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

I want to finish my degree in International Business and so accomplish this I must defeat procrastination! If you put effort and you’re work will be efficient and there is no way you could ever see failure!

What would be your “dream job” in life?

I would love to market for a high-end clothing brand like Marchesa, Balenciaga, Balmain, or Yves St. Laurent. It would be amazing to work with such beautiful pieces and show them to the world. Participating in a fashion show would be ideal!

Are you currently a student?

Yes

Area of study:

Sociology

Are you currently employed?

Yes

If yes, what is your occupation?

I work at Harry Rosen Inc. as a Customer Service Rep.

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

Growing up I lived with my mother and my sister. My parent got divorced before I could even remember. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents and we didn’t have a lot of money so, I was never spoiled. My mother and grandparents raised me with an iron fist. I love them for this because I see how other people have grown up spoiled and you don’t appreciate and feel gracious when you move forward in life. It sucks the fun out of life. Although I felt different growing up without a father because believe it or not most of my friends still lived with both their parents and children don’t realize it can hurt when they ask you question about your father. But when I got to high school, other classmates didn’t question me about it and there were a lot more people that had parents who were divorced and I felt a lot more comfortable talking about it. My father is an amazing person, it was hard for him to come visit my sister and I though which put a burden on all of us.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

I never had an unusual job but, I have worked with unusual people. For example, I wanted to work at the tanning salon near my house. I spoke to the owner and told him I would like to bring in my CV and before I could even finished my sentence he hired me! I was not even allowed to work there because I was 17 and the law states that you cannot work alone in an institution until you are 18 years old. Everyone I worked with was very odd, and in the end my mother refused to let me work there! It was very “sketchy”.

List any volunteering you have done.

I have volunteered for fund raisers and the Dorval nursery home for the Royal Bank of Canada. I also plan to volunteer for the Heart and Stroke foundation this upcoming month.

What is your most unusual talent?

I am able to have my toes touch my forehead! Trust me it is not easy. No one I know is able to do this and all my gym teachers in CEGEP were impressed! I am very flexible!

Where is the most interesting place you have been?

The most interesting place I have been to was my grandparents’ village in central-north Italy in the province of Le Marche. The village was named Peracchia. It was very deep into the mountain and to get there you had to drive on a dirt road on the side of the mountain and one wrong turn you were a goner! There was so electricity, no hot (or even running) water, no television, and no shopping! I loved it though. Everyone knew each other from when they were toddlers (everyone who lived there was about 75 on average). It was hard to not know anyone though seeing as the village was the size of half my street! I saw where my grandparents grew up and you see how much these people struggled, living in a poor environment and it made me very proud of my grandparents because they have accomplished so much. All the houses were made of stone and if you walk around you could see about two churches, a couple of donkeys, gardens full of vegetables and the beautiful view of the green mountain. I cannot wait to go back!

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

I want to work as a marketer for a global company. I want to be able to travel to other countries and market for different wants and needs for different cultures. Marriage and kids? Will have to see!

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

If you were to ask me what the greatest virtue in life is, I would say individuality! It defines who you are and makes you stand out from the crowd. If someone decides they do not like you for your individuality then let them be trapped in their bubble of ignorance. People will learn from your individuality and you will learn from them. Remember, education is freedom!

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