Canadian-Iranian Contestants in Miss Universe Canada 2009

Six Canadian-Iranians are competing for the title of Miss Universe-Canada 2009. The competition will take place at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre's John Bassett Theatre in Toronto. The Preliminary competition will be on Thursday May 14th at 8:00pm and the Final Show and Crowning on Saturday May 16th at 7:30pm.

Tannaz Alesafar was born in Iran and moved to Canada as a teenager; and is grateful for the opportunity to live in this wonderful Country. She is bilingual in Farsi and English and is currently in her last semester in Simon Fraser University completing a B.A of Communication and Mass Media.

In the future she's eager to further her education in a Masters Program of Communication and hopes to work in the media and entertainment industry.

Tannaz enjoys many kinds of sports such as soccer and basketball. In high school, she was a member of the basketball team and poetry group. In her spare time, she enjoys writing poems, cooking, working out, dancing and is a trained belly dancer.

Yasmin Moavenian was born and raised in North York, Ontario. She attended the prestigious Toronto French School from the age of 3, and remained there until she graduated from high school. It was there that she received her Brevet Diploma, and completed the International Baccalaureate program.

She picked up a native level of French, perfected her English, and even some Spanish along the way. She went on to complete an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Religion from the University of Toronto. While attending University, she had the pleasure of being part of one of North America's largest sororities, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Yasmin is in law school and plans on graduating and writing the bar in 2011.

When she's not buried underneath a pile of books, she divides her time between her family and friends. You'll usually find her at home and in the kitchen, attempting to bake or simply entertaining. This past year, she discovered a strong passion for snowboarding. Philanthropy and a love for the arts are two other topics dear to Yasmin's heart.

Tara Mobayen was born in Shiraz, Iran and moved to Canada as a teenager to settle in Toronto, Ontario where doors of opportunities opened. She began her modeling career at the age of 17 and is currently studying at the University of Toronto, where she is double majoring in Human Biology and Astrophysics.

Tara is the youngest of 3 siblings, is fluent in English and Farsi and holds a certificate in Cosmetology. After losing her father to colon cancer two years ago, she endeavours to seize every positive opportunity and appreciates the simpler things in life.

Tara is an avid swimmer. She obtained a gold medal in 2000 at the Provincial Breast Stroke Swimming Competition. In addition, she achieved first place in the Provincial Math Olympiad of 2002. Tara has inherited her love for painting and drawing from her mom. She has participated in several painting competitions and earned third place in an oil on canvas regional painting competition in 2001.

Tara also enjoys poetry, rollerblading, baking cakes, and dancing. She is extremely family oriented, and loves traveling and meeting new people.

Neda Derakhshan is 25 years old and was born in Iran. She moved to Canada at the age of 13 with her parents and 3 younger brothers. They lived in Toronto for about a year until her Father's job moved that family to Calgary. In Calgary Neda got the opportunity to meet really great people, develop relationships, begin gaining experience in various work fields, finish high school and go to college.

She received a business management diploma and is now currently working at a financial institution where she plans on becoming a financial advisor. Neda also plans to own her own salon/spa in the near future, she enjoys Dancing, music of all sorts, swimming, horseback riding, hanging out with family and friends, and most of all travelling and expanding her horizons.

Neda has a very big heart and a determined and passionate attitude. She truly believes that with a strong enough mind and will, a person can persevere and achieve any goal they invest their time in.

Sarah Saei is Canadian born with Iranian and Belgian roots, which helped her develop skills and interests in languages and cultural traditions. She aspires to achieve a professional career in singing, acting or modeling. She is sociable, lovable and a kind person. She cherishes family values and respects others.

One of her desirable goals in life is equality for women and minorities in every walk of life. She enjoys helping and feels at ease while volunteering in her community.

Aylar Macky is the eldest child of two and was born in Tehran, Iran. At the tender age of nine Aylar's family relocated to Toronto, Ontario and shortly after moved to Calgary, Alberta.

She is fluent in English, Farsi and Turkish and continues to enhance her language skills by participating in the Explore French Immersion program in Montreal, and has also enrolled in Italian courses at the University of Calgary. Currently a full time student at the University of Calgary studying towards a degree in International Business with a minor in Sociology.

Aylar is a dedicated athlete and musician. She has played volleyball, soccer, and basketball competitively and won Best Female Athlete of the Year consecutively for three years as a teenager. She is a competitive swimmer and has won numerous medals, including a gold medal in a regional competition in Iran. In her spare time Aylar coaches her younger brother's soccer team and is passionate about music, playing the piano for 14 years.