Miss Norway

Hega Torresdal

Hege grew up in a suburban area called Aksdal on the west coast of Norway, surrounded by forests, moors and the rural environment. She currently living in Bergen as a student of science studies. Her ambition is to be a veterinarian. Hege is also a keen footballer, and comes from a family deeply rooted in sports, both her parents are handball-coaches. Her interests span from football to jazz-ballet to golf and like many Norwegians she enjoy hiking in the mountains, in the winter she goes snowboarding. This fall she had planned to go to Australia to work on a horse-farm, in order to gain the experience required to enter the studies she is hoping to attend in England, but plans have been postponed until after the Miss World Final.Her motto is "Carpe diem!", Seize the day! This defines her personality to a great extent, but she still does not take anything for granted.


Where did you grow up? Tell us a little about your home town/city, and family.
I grew up in a suburban area called Aksdal, on the west coast of Norway. There I lived with my parents and two sisters. It is difficult to find any better place to grow up, considering all the possibilities and challenges provided by the forests, moors and rural environments surrounding my homestead.I consider myself privileged in coming from a warm and stabile family, knowing that this is not a given factor in all families of today’s society. I put my parents and two sisters before anything. They are incredibly important to me and have always been there for me. The fact that I’m between my sisters in age has developed my negotiation skills, and I know this will be helpful later in life.

What Jobs have you done? What was the most interesting/bizarre?
I am student, and have therefore only kept part-time jobs in addition to my studies. My experience in work comes from a wide variety of jobs, including waiting, bartending, assistant to a dermatologist and modelling, but the job that creates the most attention when mentioned is that as a tin-carpenter. I worked at my father’s tin-carpeting firm for 6 years, and find it very interesting, even though it’s heavily male dominated. It is a job out of the ordinary, and I enjoy the experiences it has given me. I feel the job has been important in establishing who I am.

What are your career ambitions, how do you plan to realise them?
As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to become a vet. I’m currently studying to qualify for veterinary studies, and have spent the last year studying maths, physics and chemistry. This year I had originally planned to work on a farm in Australia, in order to gain necessary experience with animals and to work on my knowledge of the English language, considering that the vet-school I am hoping to attend is located in England. These plans have naturally been postponed due to my participation in the Miss World Pageant, but I feel certain I will fulfil them.

What is the proudest moment of your life? (Not including winning your National Title)
The proudest moment of my life is no doubt when my sister asked me to be Godmother to her son Sebastian. I consider this a tremendous responsibility and a great honour. I am delighted to know that I am going to be a big part of his life.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
The most embarrassing experience of my life must have been when I was part of a dance-show in my school, some years ago. During our display, my mind froze, and I completely forgot the choreography. This resulted in me having my own little show, which of course didn’t correspond with what the rest of the group was doing. This can hardly be regarded as my finest hour.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
It has been a month since I won the title of "Miss Norway" and thus my life has changed in many numbers of ways. The title has given me the opportunity to see the world through a new pair of glasses by introducing me to new people who share their experiences with me and enable me to see things in a different way. Through all my travelling and assignments I am gathering valuable experiences and impressions. I truly recognised this year as a solemn milestone of my life.

Tell us about an interesting event you have attended, or a person that you have met.
The most interesting person I have ever met, has to be my late great grandmother. She was a woman who had lived a long and rich life spanning over three centuries in time. She was a very wise and warm person, and having to raise 13 children and experienced two world wars, she was a person I highly admired and could turn to for advice.

What would you like to do, if you became Miss World 2004?
If I were elected Miss World 2004, I would utilize my influence to highlight issues, which need focusing, and in that way make people aware of what’s happening around the world. I would do my best to appear as a good example for young girls of today, and thereby promote a healthy lifestyle and a conscious attitude towards the problems of society.

If you had a personal motto what would it be?
My life-motto is definitely "Carpe Diem" Seize the day! This defines my personality to a great extent. I enjoy living, and live in the moment. But still I do not take anything for granted.

Give details of any charitable work undertaken?
Because of my studying I have been unable to take part in charitable work to the degree that I would like. Though a program I have established contact with an individual in Africa, to whom I send letters and money on a monthly basis. I have a sincere desire to one day visit this person and his family. In addition I have participated in several money-collection-measures. Among them are the actions taken to aid the starving children of Darfur.Before my studying demanded all my attention, I was an active member of the Norwegian aiding-organisation Save the Children, and in the future I intend to again take up this responsibility.

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