Meet Miss Teen Canada International 2010

Suneet Maan

“It is our choices that show what we are, far more than our abilities”- J.K. Rowling.

We , as individuals are faced with choices each and every day. These choices, no matter how small, define who we are, and they define what we will become. Over the years I have come to live my life by this quote. I believe that the choices I have made over the years have played an integral role in making me who I am today.

FAMILY

I am sixteen years old and attend grade 12 at Southridge School. I live with my Mother, Father, Sister and Brother. My family is my strength, my best friends. I am very thankful to my parents for instilling such strong morals and values in my siblings and myself. They have raised us a proud Canadians while keeping us in touch with our rich Indian Heritage. I take pride in being a bilingual citizen in our multi-cultural nation. I am also grateful to them for their unconditional love and support.

EDUCATION

Education is highly valued within my family, academics are very important to me.
I have been on the honor roll with distinction and effect honor throughout my high school career. I presently maintain a GPA of 3.7. My favourite and strongest subjects are English, Biology, Geography and Drama. I enjoy writing, debating, acting and public speaking. Once I have completed high school it is my goal to attend the University of British Columbia. I hope to obtain a liberal arts degree and eventually pursue a career in law.

VOLUNTEERING

From a young age volunteering has been one of my greatest passions. My first fundraiser I initiated was to raise funds to send to Thailand for Tsunami Relief in 2004. It is a amazing feeling to know that I have helped to make a difference in peoples’ lives across the globe. This is when I realized that my actions could create lasting change and it inspired me to seek other volunteer opportunities. I am a active member of my school’s service club. For three consecutive years I have been recognized and awarded by my school for exemplary service and leadership within our school and community.

One of my most fulfilling and challenging of these opportunities was when I started volunteering with The Semihamoo House Society. Semihamoo House is an Organization that works with individuals with development disabilities. The relationships I developed were rewarding. As I set out to help them learn their strengths, I developed and recognized my own. Knowing that I had the ability to make them smile and feel good about themselves by extending my hand in friendship was very heartwarming and fulfilling experience. My work there gave me the opportunity to push my boundaries, and go beyond my comfort zone. This is when I decided that I wanted to take on more of a leadership role within my community.

I have always been taught to count my blessings but never fully realized the impact of what that meant until this past spring when I had the amazing opportunity to visit an orphanage in Cuba.

Every little gesture from our group be it a smile, or a hug, brought so much happiness into these children’s lives. Even though we did not speak the same language and were from two completely different cultures we were able to create a special bond with these children. Words could not express the look of joy on he children’s faces when we handed each o them their very own toy.

When I heard of the Miss Teen Canada International Organization and The Teddy Bears of Hope Project I immediately knew it was something I wished to be part of. Everything I have learned from volunteering in Cuba is exemplified by Miss Teen Canada’s dedication to the Teddy Bears of Hope project.

ARTS

The arts have always played a large role in my life. This year I received an award for my artistic achievement through out the school year. I sing in both English and Punjabi and dance the Indian classical dance for the past four years. I am an active member of the school choir for eight years and jazz choir for two years. I have taken part in school heater productions, as acting is something I truly enjoy as it gives me the opportunity to break out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.

SPORTS

I enjoy playing and participating in different sports, My favourite field hockey, soccer and basketball. 

CHARITY PLATFORM

As Miss Teen Canada Int’l my platform is to raise awareness about childhood obesity in Canada. Volunteering and spending time with Children is one of my passions. Through volunteering with the Heart and Stroke Foundation I realized that heart disease does not only affect adults as previously believed. Children are also subject to this deadly disease. One of the biggest risk of heart disease is obesity. Twenty-six percent of all Canadian Children between the ages of 2-17 are overweight or obese due to inactivity and poor eating habits. This means that over a quarter of Canadian Children could be at risk for developing heart disease.

As Miss Teen Canada I hope to speak to different high and elementary school students to inspire and motivate them to get active and healthy. I would also speak at local and national events to bring awareness about this growing problem.

I want to promote this platform nationally as heart disease is the number one killer in all of Canada. What is worse is that a quarter of our youth population is obese. Obesity leads to many health problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure all of which increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. These diseases can all be prevented if the public is made aware of positive effects of healthy eating and exercise from a young age. We as Canadians are blessed to be living in such a wonderful country with so many opportunities and resources available to us. We cannot fail our youth simply because we have failed to raise awareness. We must take action now!

I Have Been Given an Amazing Honor to Represent Canada as Miss Teen Canada Int’l 2010

I hope to create national change.

I look forward to promoting my platform, speak to youth to motivate and inspire them to get involved and make a difference. Being an Ambassador for Teddy Bears of Hope Organization, an Organization that has quickly become close to my heart. Being able to provide hope, joy and comfort to children in underprivileged countries is something I have always been very passionate about. I look forward to the incredible, once in a lifetime, chance to go to Uganda as Miss Teen Canada as a spokesperson for Teddy Bears of Hope, and personally deliver the approx. 80,000 stuffed animals that have been collected over the past year from Canadian Children.

As Miss Teen Canada I will have the opportunity to create change on a national level. It will give me the chance to address youth on topics I am truly passionate about. I now have the opportunity to represent my nation, to further expand my horizons, and gain new experiences, as well as have a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

“Good Character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extend a gift. Good character, by contrast is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece, by thought, choice, courage and determination”- H. Jackson Brown

Suneet Maan
Miss Teen Canada International 2010