Sandra Micheal from L'Île-Perrot and Michelle Carpentier-Solorio from Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot are both in the running for the title of Miss Universe Canada.

Sandra Micheal, 23, has just graduated in biomedical mechanical engineering from the University of Ottawa. Having always dreamed of studying medicine, she finally found her way into engineering at Cégep John-Abbott in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. She speaks French, English and Arabic.

By entering the Miss Universe Canada pageant, Sandra Micheal hopes to inspire other women in the engineering profession. She aspires to become a voice and a source of inspiration for other women pursuing a degree or career in a male-dominated field.

She also wants to show women that beauty, elegance, confidence and intelligence are not mutually exclusive. A woman, and especially a woman of ethnic origin, can possess all these qualities and still be a respected person with a real purpose in life.

Although she was born here, Sandra has Egyptian roots; her parents' homeland.

For her part, Perrotdamois Michelle Carpentier-Solorio recently completed her master's degree at the Université de Montréal and is now a nurse practitioner with a specialization in mental health. She is currently heavily involved in the treatment and advocacy of people suffering from a number of complex mental disorders.

Previously, she worked as a nurse in an emergency department, as assistant head nurse of a high-risk closed psychiatric unit and as nurse manager of an outpatient clinic treating initial psychotic episodes.

Michelle hopes to help improve access to healthcare by one day opening her own clinic. 

Through the competition, Michelle will promote gender equality and encourage women to take care of their mental and physical health. By competing for Miss Universe Canada, she will also show that women can be beautiful, but also intelligent and strong.

Michelle Carpentier Solorio speaks French, English and Spanish.

Next steps

Sandra Micheal and Michelle Carpentier-Solorio, along with the 70 other candidates, will give their first performance on July 25 in Windsor, Ontario. The final will be held on July 27. Candidates will be eliminated between the various stages.

Candidates will be required to attend interviews and parade in gowns and swimsuits.

The overall winner of Miss Universe Canada will have the chance to shine at the Miss Universe pageant next November in Mexico.

To vote for the candidates: 

Sandra Micheal

Michelle Carpentier-Solorio