Miss Canada International

A 19 year old second year university student at the University of Windsor. Amanda hopes to pursue a career in education, perhaps to be a professor. Due to Amanda's dedication and hard work as Miss Teen Canada Intl the sponsors and organization chose to award her with a $9,000.00 scholarship.

Amanda put her education on hold during her second semester to give her heart and soul to the Teddy Bears of Hope campaign. Amanda collected over 20,000 teddy bears to which she personally delivered to orphans and children effected by the Tsunami in Thailand in July with the assistance of the Thai Government and Habitat for Humanity.

During her year she traveled throughout Canada speaking to schools on bullying and the Teddy Bears Campaign.

Amanda traveled coast to coast twice during her reign doing a variety of appearances...such as:

*Gemini Awards
*Last Expos game in Montreal
*Pony Express ride for Children...From Winnipeg to Calgary
*Jimmy Carter Habitat for Humanity Build
*Became and honorary member of the HMCS St. John's Navel Ship
*Visited many children's hospitals
*Several Christmas Parades
*Lobster fishing in PEI
*Meeting the Lieutenant Governor in both Nova Scotia and PEI
*Unveiled a Peace Pole in PEI
*Pink Bedroom event for Breast Cancer
*CIBC Children's Christmas Wish
*Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Golf Tournament
*Television appearances on - BT Vancouver, Vicki Gabreau, BT Calgary, BT Edmonton, BT Halifax
*CN Tower Climb for WWF
*Buffalo Bills Canada Appreciation Day
*Calgary Stampede Parade and events

Prior to becoming involved in the Miss Teen Canada International 2005 program I was a shy young girl with little experience and simple dreams. While there is nothing wrong with that, the person I am today is a direct result of the Miss Teen Canada International 2005 scholarship program. Pageant week allowed me to meet girls who were just like me. They were powerful women with hopes and dreams and together, we actually believed we could achieve every last one of them! I am stilled as shocked today as I was the night I won the Miss Teen Canada International 2005 title. Never for a moment did I think I would win, but life throws curve balls and that was one of them! My year as Miss Teen Canada International 2005 was truly a blessing. I travelled from coast to coast several times, as well as into the United States and abroad, as I spent two weeks in Thailand with Teddy Bears of Hope following the tsunami disaster in South East Asia. During my year I had the privilege of meeting people from all different walks of life in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and charity events all over the country. It was during this year that my passion for working with people was born. The Miss Teen Canada International organization gave me every tool I needed for my dreams to become a reality. And I had some crazy dreams! My year taught me what it means to truly be a good citizen and a good person. I grew up during that year into a woman who knew what her goals were and would stop at nothing to achieve them!

This newly found attitude became my motto in life. I took my University career by storm, getting 3 degrees (History, Political Science and Classical Studies) in 4 years and completing my finals years with straight A's! During that time I stayed involved in local organizations I began working with throughout my reign, such as the Windsor Police and organizations on the University of Windsor campus. I am currently attending the University of Windsor's Faculty of Education where I hope to obtain my teaching degree by the end of May 2009. I will go on to next year complete my Masters of Education degree with a specialization in Administration. This organization opened many doors for me and gave me the attitude that I can do anything I set my mind to if I continue to believe in myself.

I also learned from this experience how important your support structure is to your success. My family offered me unwavering support and has continued to since my year ended. I also learned to never settle for anything. If I believe I can do better, or I deserve more I will find it. I have found the ultimate support in the love of my life, whom I have called my best friend for over 10 years. He has truly shown me that love does exist in this world, you just have to be brave enough to hold out for it. Without these people in my life I would have nothing and the Miss Teen Canada International organization helped me to realize this.

Sincerely,