Jessica Trisko
Encyclopedia
Jessica Nicole Trisko is an academic, activist, and model from Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
. She currently resides in Montreal
, Canada.
Trisko's father is of Ukrainian
-Russian
heritage, and her mother is Filipino
. Her first language is English, but she also speaks Russian and French.
After winning the Miss Earth Canada
pageant, Trisko represented Canada at Miss Earth 2007
and became the first Canadian to win the Miss Earth 2007
title. She had previously placed in the top ten at Miss Universe Canada
2007.
She is a strong opponent of foreign humanitarian aid
, and believes that American funds should instead be devoted to building up foreign militaries.
, Quebec
to attend McGill University
where she excelled as a student-athlete and obtained a Joint Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in 2004. She later lived in the United States and Russia while completing a Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin
. Trisko then returned to Montreal
to begin a Ph.D. in Political Science at McGill in 2006.
Trisko is currently a Ph.D. Candidate and Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at McGill University. Her research is funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the McGill-Universite de Montreal Centre for International Peace and Security Studies.
Trisko has published in edited volumes and the journals Central Asian Survey and the McGill Foreign Affairs Review. She has presented at numerous academic conferences including the International Studies Association 2009 and 2008 conferences, the ISSS/ISAC 2009 conference, the Association for the Study of Nationalities 2007 conference, various McGill-Universite de Montreal Research Group in International Security conferences, and the CDAI-CDFAI 2006 conference.
and L'Oréal
to participate in the behind-the-scenes reality television series Supermodels, which featured eight half-hour episodes. In 2008, Trisko guest starred on the Filipino television shows "The Singing Bee" and "Sports Unlimited".
Trisko has hosted numerous environmental events in Asia and North America. She now serves as a mentor to young women interested in pursuing careers in the fashion industry through the organization "Teens Reacting Effectively aNd Discovering Style (TRENDS)" - a national fashion and image project by teens, for teens.
Trisko, together with the executives of Carousel Productions
and the national organizers of Miss Earth Indonesia, attended the Cool Energy Exhibition on December 10, 2007 with the theme: "Care for the Change". More than 20 companies, non-government organizations and other groups participated in this exposition held in the Peninsula Island inside the Nusa Dua
resort showcasing displays about wildlife conservation
, energy and forest preservation.
On December 13, 2007, Trisko, along with non-governmental organization, Conservation International
, and the Indonesian government, led the released of hundreds of tiny week-old sea turtle
, offspring of endangered species
, at Nusa Dua beach, Bali
, Indonesia
, aiming to conserve the sea turtles and to spread awareness on the threat of climate change
. She named the green turtle hatchling
that she released "Pedro."
Trisko also took part in the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference
in Bali, alongside with Miss Earth 2004
Priscilla Meirelles
and Miss Earth Water 2006 Catherine Untalan
from December 5-15, 2007. She led the Miss Earth Foundation
in various activities like school tours, eco-tourism adventures and environmental orientations. In addition, a "Miss Earth Village", an exhibition booth was put up to showcase the advocacies of the Miss Earth Foundation. She participated in the conference, which encompassed meetings of several bodies, including the 13th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(COP 13), the 3rd Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
(MOP 3 or CMP 3), together with other subsidiary bodies. The conference, which she attended was hosted by the Government of Indonesia
, took place at the Bali International Convention Center and brought together representatives of over 180 countries together with observers from intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, and the media.
In ealry September 2008, Trisko, Miss Singapore 2008 Ivy Leow Kian Peng, and Miss Philippines Earth 2008 Karla Henry had travelled to Ho Chi Minh City
in Vietnam
. They visited the Miss Áo Dài Center and met with media correspondents at a press conference at the New World Hotel. She also visited the Can Gio Mangrove Forest
, an important wildlife sanctuary in Vietnam as it is characterized by a wetland
biosystem dominated by mangrove
and many rare species and it has been listed as a biosphere reserve
by UNESCO
; she took part in environmental activities as green ambassador and speaker. Along with the other Miss Earth beauties, they also presented mid-autumn gifts to orphans and participated in the activities of the International Tourism Exhibition 2008, where they met and interacted with the Ministers of Cambodia
, Laos
, and Vietnam.
Trisko and Miss Philippines Earth 2008 Karla Henry headed thousands of volunteers in a full day of filth-picking, sorting and depositing in the coast
al cleanup in San Dionisio bay, Parañaque City
on September 20, 2008. It was an annual event in tandem with the International Coastal Cleanup Day, the world’s largest volunteer event started by Ocean Conservancy
, which aims to bring together people from all nations to gather and clean their shores once a year. She led the removal of garbages, mostly plastic bags, deposited at the bay.
Aside from Canada and the Philippines, Trisko had a chance to visit many countries during her reign, including China
, Puerto Rico
, and Singapore
. She also went on multiple trips to Indonesia, the United States
, and Vietnam, where she met world environmental leaders, and promoted environmental awareness.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. She currently resides in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada.
Trisko's father is of Ukrainian
Ukrainians
Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
-Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
heritage, and her mother is Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
. Her first language is English, but she also speaks Russian and French.
After winning the Miss Earth Canada
Miss earth canada
Miss Earth Canada is a beauty pageant held annually in search of the most beautiful and environmental-friendly woman in Canada. It is the official preliminary to the Miss Earth pageant...
pageant, Trisko represented Canada at Miss Earth 2007
Miss Earth 2007
Miss Earth 2007, the seventh Miss Earth beauty pageant, was held on November 11, 2007 at the UP Theater in Quezon City, Philippines. The delegates also visited Nha Trang, Vietnam. 88 delegates competed for the title, making 2007 the largest edition of delegates for Miss Earth. The pageant was...
and became the first Canadian to win the Miss Earth 2007
Miss Earth 2007
Miss Earth 2007, the seventh Miss Earth beauty pageant, was held on November 11, 2007 at the UP Theater in Quezon City, Philippines. The delegates also visited Nha Trang, Vietnam. 88 delegates competed for the title, making 2007 the largest edition of delegates for Miss Earth. The pageant was...
title. She had previously placed in the top ten at Miss Universe Canada
Miss Universe Canada
-External links:*...
2007.
She is a strong opponent of foreign humanitarian aid
Aid
In international relations, aid is a voluntary transfer of resources from one country to another, given at least partly with the objective of benefiting the recipient country....
, and believes that American funds should instead be devoted to building up foreign militaries.
Academic background
Raised in Vancouver, Trisko moved to MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
to attend McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
where she excelled as a student-athlete and obtained a Joint Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in 2004. She later lived in the United States and Russia while completing a Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. Trisko then returned to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
to begin a Ph.D. in Political Science at McGill in 2006.
Trisko is currently a Ph.D. Candidate and Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at McGill University. Her research is funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the McGill-Universite de Montreal Centre for International Peace and Security Studies.
Trisko has published in edited volumes and the journals Central Asian Survey and the McGill Foreign Affairs Review. She has presented at numerous academic conferences including the International Studies Association 2009 and 2008 conferences, the ISSS/ISAC 2009 conference, the Association for the Study of Nationalities 2007 conference, various McGill-Universite de Montreal Research Group in International Security conferences, and the CDAI-CDFAI 2006 conference.
Media & community involvement
Trisko has been participating in charitable fashion shows since the age of 15. In 2001, she teamed up with Ford ModelsFord Models
The Ford Modeling Agency, or as it is known today Ford Models, is a modeling agency in New York City. It was established in 1946 by Eileen and the late Gerard W. Ford.-Company:...
and L'Oréal
L'Oréal
The L'Oréal Group is the world's largest cosmetics and beauty company. With its registered office in Paris and head office in the Paris suburb of Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France, it has developed activities in the field of cosmetics...
to participate in the behind-the-scenes reality television series Supermodels, which featured eight half-hour episodes. In 2008, Trisko guest starred on the Filipino television shows "The Singing Bee" and "Sports Unlimited".
Trisko has hosted numerous environmental events in Asia and North America. She now serves as a mentor to young women interested in pursuing careers in the fashion industry through the organization "Teens Reacting Effectively aNd Discovering Style (TRENDS)" - a national fashion and image project by teens, for teens.
Environmental platform
Environmental activism
Carousel Productions
Carousel Productions Inc. is the organization that currently owns and runs the Miss Earth and Miss Philippines Earth beauty contests. The annual events are produced in partnership with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. The organization is based in the Philippines.-History:Carousel Productions...
and the national organizers of Miss Earth Indonesia, attended the Cool Energy Exhibition on December 10, 2007 with the theme: "Care for the Change". More than 20 companies, non-government organizations and other groups participated in this exposition held in the Peninsula Island inside the Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is known as an enclave of large international 5-star resorts in south-eastern Bali. It is located 40 kilometres from Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, and administered under Kuta South District. Nusa Dua means two islands....
resort showcasing displays about wildlife conservation
Conservation biology
Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction...
, energy and forest preservation.
On December 13, 2007, Trisko, along with non-governmental organization, Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
, and the Indonesian government, led the released of hundreds of tiny week-old sea turtle
Sea turtle
Sea turtles are marine reptiles that inhabit all of the world's oceans except the Arctic.-Distribution:...
, offspring of endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
, at Nusa Dua beach, Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, aiming to conserve the sea turtles and to spread awareness on the threat of climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
. She named the green turtle hatchling
Hatchling
In oviparous biology, a hatchling is the newborn of animals that develop and emerge from within hard-shell eggs. The offspring of birds are often hatched naked and with their eyes closed. The hatchling relies totally on its parents for feeding and warmth. Hatchlings precede nestlings in the chick's...
that she released "Pedro."
Trisko also took part in the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference
2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference
The 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference took place at the Bali International Conference Centre, Nusa Dua, in Bali, Indonesia, between December 3 and December 15, 2007 . Representatives from over 180 countries attended, together with observers from intergovernmental and nongovernmental...
in Bali, alongside with Miss Earth 2004
Miss Earth 2004
Miss Earth 2004, the 4th edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, took place at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines on October 24, 2004...
Priscilla Meirelles
Priscilla Meirelles
Priscilla Meirelles Almeida , from Brazil, won the 2004 Miss Earth pageant held in the Philippines. In winning Miss Earth, Brazil became the first country to win the "Big Four" in beauty pageants. She is 5'10" tall with a 35"-24"-35" figure also claimed the Most Photogenic Award. She also won the...
and Miss Earth Water 2006 Catherine Untalan
Catherine Untalan
Catherine Yu Untalan is an environmentalist, fashion model, psychologist, and beauty queen from the Philippines. She competed and won the beauty title of Miss Philippines-Earth 2006 and the international Miss Earth Water 2006...
from December 5-15, 2007. She led the Miss Earth Foundation
Miss Earth Foundation
Miss Earth Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization, which serves as the environmental-social-humanitarian outreach arm of Miss Earth beauty pageant. It was established to institutionalize the environmental mission of Miss Earth...
in various activities like school tours, eco-tourism adventures and environmental orientations. In addition, a "Miss Earth Village", an exhibition booth was put up to showcase the advocacies of the Miss Earth Foundation. She participated in the conference, which encompassed meetings of several bodies, including the 13th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international environmental treaty produced at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development , informally known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro from June 3 to 14, 1992...
(COP 13), the 3rd Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change , aimed at fighting global warming...
(MOP 3 or CMP 3), together with other subsidiary bodies. The conference, which she attended was hosted by the Government of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, took place at the Bali International Convention Center and brought together representatives of over 180 countries together with observers from intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, and the media.
In ealry September 2008, Trisko, Miss Singapore 2008 Ivy Leow Kian Peng, and Miss Philippines Earth 2008 Karla Henry had travelled to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City , formerly named Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam...
in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. They visited the Miss Áo Dài Center and met with media correspondents at a press conference at the New World Hotel. She also visited the Can Gio Mangrove Forest
Can Gio Mangrove Forest
Can Gio Biosphere Reserve is a wetland located 40 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. This reserve has been listed the biosphere reserve by UNESCO...
, an important wildlife sanctuary in Vietnam as it is characterized by a wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
biosystem dominated by mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
and many rare species and it has been listed as a biosphere reserve
Biosphere reserve
The Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO was established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.-Development:...
by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
; she took part in environmental activities as green ambassador and speaker. Along with the other Miss Earth beauties, they also presented mid-autumn gifts to orphans and participated in the activities of the International Tourism Exhibition 2008, where they met and interacted with the Ministers of Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
, and Vietnam.
Trisko and Miss Philippines Earth 2008 Karla Henry headed thousands of volunteers in a full day of filth-picking, sorting and depositing in the coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
al cleanup in San Dionisio bay, Parañaque City
Parañaque City
The City of Parañaque , or simply Parañaque , is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines....
on September 20, 2008. It was an annual event in tandem with the International Coastal Cleanup Day, the world’s largest volunteer event started by Ocean Conservancy
The Ocean Conservancy
The Ocean Conservancy is a nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., United States.-History:...
, which aims to bring together people from all nations to gather and clean their shores once a year. She led the removal of garbages, mostly plastic bags, deposited at the bay.
Aside from Canada and the Philippines, Trisko had a chance to visit many countries during her reign, including China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. She also went on multiple trips to Indonesia, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and Vietnam, where she met world environmental leaders, and promoted environmental awareness.