A great on-air personality and a big heart have earned former Squamish girl, Nadine Sykora, huge popularity - and a spot in the MuchMusic's VJ search 2.0 contest finals.
Sykora beat out 4,000 entries in a contest for the "the job of a lifetime" thanks to her youtube channel youtube.com/heynadine, which has over 82,000 subscribers and over 15 million views of her videos.
"Now these eight semi-finalists go head-to-head in a series of jaw-biting, take-no-prisoners challenges to secure a spot in the final four," states the MuchMusic website.
Sykora has four tasks to complete to get to the final four, and her first endeavour, which ended Nov. 1, helped not only boost her image, but also a good cause, the 小蓝视频 SPCA. Sykora asked her supporters to donate to the animal advocacy group at www.bit.ly/Nadine小蓝视频SPCA.
"Instead of votes, and fans, subscribers, I am asking for a much more selfless request: Donations to help thousands of animals in need," she writes on her contest page. "By donating to the 小蓝视频 SPCA you are not only helping me in my quest to become a MuchMusic VJ, but you are helping make a real difference in the live of animals."
Sykora also sent out a mass invite through a plethora of online media networks to join her in a combination 22nd birthday party and 小蓝视频 SPCA fundraiser at Capilano Mall last Friday (Oct. 30).
"It's you helping me helping them," stated the invite.
MuchMusic producers are now asking viewers to make a choice - who do you want in the VJ seat?
"Now, we need you to weigh in again and help us who will move forward. From Oct. 26 to Nov. 22, we want you to participate in the finalists' challenges. Those who you like will guide us and be one of several factors that help us make our decision."
Sykora seemed well on her way to fame upon graduating in 2005, when she won Howe Sound Secondary's Most Outstanding Female Student award.
She has since attended the University of Victoria, earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a minor in Business, and is now living in Vancouver. But she says her heart remains in Squamish.
"I visit Squamish a lot and have been living here during the summer months with my parents," said Sykora. "As well I have participated in numerous community events, include multiple theatre productions."
The multi-talent does her own writing, editing and acting for her videos. And she said her uninhibited style, love of music and technical expertise may be just the thing to make her the idea VJ.
"I am not afraid to do anything on camera, to make myself looks like a goof or a dork, because that is who I am," said Sykora. "I plan on bringing some fun and quirkiness to Much as well as my various music and Internet expertise.
"Music helps me express my creativity in my videos and in my everyday life. For me a little bit of rock, pop, dance, soundtrack, musical, punk, electronica, techno, classical or country will always put me in a good mood.
To vote for Sykora or view her MuchMusic page, go to www.muchmusic.com/Nadine. And take a look at her website at www.heynadine.com.
