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Experience
Dance Stage Experience
1978-1985
Ethel Bruno’s Dance Studio
- Classical ballet Classical Jazz Tap Dancing
1986-1991
Thomas D’Arcy McGee for the Performing and Fine Arts
- Jazz Hip Hop Pas de Deux Ballet Salsa Tango Swing Tap Dancing
Acting/ Stage/Film
1978-1980 Sesame Street
- Acting/mime talking on phone /learning your home - and emergency - Counting
games
1980-1985
Children’s Safety Program
- Fire Safety Strangers… who are they- Beware Road Safety
1990-1991
ABC After School Special
- Feet filmed in points for opening scene Theater plays
1997-1998
TV Series Student Bodies
• Extra work “Romeo” girl
Movies
• Extra work “SNAKE EYES”
Music Videos
Carl Henry’s – Never Say Goodbye
Sports Experience
1985-1985
Martial Arts
- Tae Kwan Do
1989-1991
Track and Field
- Basketball Point Guard Volley Ball
- Sprinter 100m 400m Rely Hurdles
- Kick Boxing
1992-1997
Collegiate
- Basketball Volleyball
- Dawson Steppers Dance Team
- Shotokan Japanese Style Karate
- Traditional Indian Dancing Bodybuilding
Competition
Experience
2000 1ST MISS FIGURE FITNESS
2001
1ST MISS FITNESS EASTERN DIVISION
- Blue Jays Cheerleader
2002
3RD PLACE NOVICE CANADA FITNESS PAGEANT
2003
MOLSON INDY FIGURE COMPETITOR
2004
FAME FITNESS MODEL CONTESTANT
CHIN BIKINI MODEL
SWIMSUIT CANADA MODEL
Print Ads/ Publications
World Natural
Sports Organization
Toronto Sun
Canoe Sunshine girl
Community Share
Oxygen Magazine
CP 24
City TV
OMNI
CHIN TV
Awards
1ST MISS
FIGURE FITNESS
1ST MISS FITNESS EASTERN DIVISION
3RD PLACE NOVICE CANADA FITNESS PAGEANT
Dance Performance
Award 1987, 1988, 1989
Jazz Dance 1988,1989
Ballet Performance 1990, 1991
1st place
100m dash 1989
2nd place Hurdles 1989
2nd place 400m relay
Education
Concordia
University- Marketing
Dawson College- Business Administration
Culinary Arts School of Ontario-Chef
Info
OK so if ask those who knows me, to describe who is Raquel Huggins ...the words Energizer Bunny comes out all to often. She never stops, she's always on the go, she is disciplined, and dedicated and she just keeps on going. They will say that,” If you know Raquel then you know she is a competitive person with drive and passion”.
Well, to be honest I know they’re right... In whatever it is that I am doing, however small the task, my passion for excellence dominates me. I BELIEVE I was just born with it, from the age of 4 I can remember always wanting to be at my best and look my best and was never satisfied if one hair was out of place.
My journey started at the age of 4 when I was enrolled me in Ethel Bruno’s Dance studio in Montreal. I began with Classical Ballet training and the core exercises of this art, ballet moves me into tap dancing and classical jazz, I began performing for events and stage shows very early on in my dance career. At the same age I was approached to work on Sesame Street that lasted 2 seasons from there I began doing Fire Safety, Road Safety and “Strangers” beware After School Specials.
I tried my hand at Karate, Kickboxing
and Gymnastics the variety was great.
I attended Thomas D’Arcy McGee for the Performing and Fine Arts
for my high school years, where my dance teachers Barbara Gayle and Maura
Estrada changed my life forever. They enriched my life with discipline,
technique and a variety of dances like the Ballet, Salsa, the Tango, the
Waltz and the Fox Trot…. and “POINTS” to name a few.
I continued working with my steady partner to represent our school at
the School Board Awards at Place Des Arts in Montreal. I danced a Solo
and a Pas de Deux at Place Des Arts for then Prime Minster of Canada Brian
Mulroney in representing our school, I was also reached the first level
of consideration to become a part of Les Grands Ballet Canadians, I studied
non-contemporary dance under Edward Loc from LA LA LA HUMAN STEPS.
This led to “CAMEO” appearances on the ABC After School Special
programs.
Mr. John Maloney was my gym teacher who inspired me to be more to do more
and to want more. As a coach…he always made me feel like there was
nothing I could not do I then traded my point shoes turned into running
shoes, my tights into shorts. I got a taste of how powerful you need to
be in the Sport of Track and Field; this led me into Basketball and Volleyball
in high school.
I participated in tournaments,
competitions, and stage shows and I graduated from D’Arcy McGee
for The Performing and Fine Arts with a Choreographer’s Diploma
from the Quebec Government as well as my Secondary School Diploma.
I attended Dawson College still playing competitive Volleyball, I joined
the Dawson Steppers Dance team dancing to Hip Hop, acting and being an
extra on Student Bodies. Graduating with my Diplôme Etudes Collegial
(DEC) in Business led into University where I studied Business Administration/Marketing
and Nutrition. I began really getting into Bodybuilding and taking weight
lifting more seriously, but then I weighed in at 170 pounds.
I then fell ill to a Bacterial Infection called Gastroenteritis- Gastroenteritis is an illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system due to cross contamination. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Some of the causes include viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites, particular chemicals and some drugs. This infection is a virus that latches onto the lining of the stomach and basically eats away at it. Due to the contamination the Bacteria causes an enormous amount of Acid to produce in the stomach it can create ulcers, including rendering the person immobile and weak due to not being able to consume food. Hospitalization was a must.
My epic saga of recovery and education continued as I made my way to Toronto in search of new goals, and new levels of Health and Fitness. I was exposed to the world of Fitness and became so intrigued by the level of talent, muscle and beauty this sport possessed and I what my next calling would be. I Looked for an Organization to belong to and my search ended in the direction of Ian Walling who took me to my first competition in 2000 and we won Miss Figure Fitness 2000 in Montreal, in 2001 it was Miss Fitness Eastern Division and Fitness Canada Series Novice 3rd place and from there competing has been a staple in my life. I was then chosen to be a part of the J-CREW, the Blue Jays Cheerleaders/Fan activator Club and it didn’t stop there my road to recovery has taken me back to dancing I am now training to dance competitive Salsa, Samba and Swing with” Love to Dance Studios”, I have also graduated from schooling in the Food Service Industry and I am now a Certified Sous-Chef on my way to being CHEF. I have competed in all sorts of Fitness and Bikini contests this year (2004) and even made it into Oxygen Magazine!
My spare time is occupied by
a very wide range hobbies like sports but I truly love the “Arts”
I have always considered myself very creative and coming to Toronto has
really helped spark that creativity. Since moving here I have created
my own jewelry line, 5 STAR JEMZ has had major success this year at the
VIVA GOA trade show, the HiyaHights Fashion Show, and the Insanity of
the Black Blond Lecture. I also incorporated my jewelry with all my appearances
on and off stage.
My creations have traveled to England, Kenya, India, the Philippines,
Los Angles, Ottawa and Montreal and the United States. This major hobby
-also changes with the seasons… Christmas is upon us and Christmas
Ornaments are in demand so my collection is also seasonal. I also enjoy
designing and making my own swimsuits and completion outfits including
decorating them myself.
Well I feel like on FIRE and
I’m loving it...the training, dancing, performing, the cooking,
and the jewelry creation, just being FIT is not enough for me variety
is a must and there has to be a meaning in all the things I do.
I just can’t get enough!!!! I love LIFE and the different challenges
it brings. I love the challenge of making improvements to my physique
with every year that passes, to be a better cook, a better dancer, a better
designer…. a motivator and an educator. I personally have not yet
reached my full potential but I will keep working to be the best that
I can be.
Well there you have it just a tid bit about me, for those of you who have supported me a special and sincere thanks goes out to you WNSO, Ian Walling, Kerwin Chandroo, Glen Grant and all the Photographers that have been honored to meet and shoot with. Most of all my friends and family for helping make some of my goals and dreams come true.
Life is a struggle in whatever
career you choose but keep your head up and believe in yourself.