Jennifer Heil
She started hitting the slopes at age two and, by 19, Heil competed in her first Olympics as a freestyle skier. From 2003 to 2006, she secured four World Cup titles and 32 podium performances that included 18 golds and 12 silvers. She won the 2005 and 2007 world championships and was the 2006 Olympic champion freestyle mogul skier.
Nathan Fillion
In just a few years this born-and-raised Edmontonian went from frolicking with the Rapid Fire Theatre troupe, to starring on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the cult classic, Firefly. He’s now playing a crime-solving writer on ABC’s Castle, but some fans only recognize him as the hunky Dr. Mayfair from the show, Desperate Housewives.
Paula Findlay
For years, the distinctly freckled 22-year-old triathlete has owned the podiums, first the juniors, now the pros. She’s won gold medals for world championships in England, Hungary and Mexico. Though an injury forced her to pull out of the Edmonton World Cup Triathlon in July and she placed 29th in her London comeback, her eye is still on the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Stereos
After being discovered on MuchMusic reality show disBand, where the pop-punk band got mentorship from Gene Simmons and Sum 41’s manager and producer, Stereos released the single “Summer Girl” in 2009. It soared to No. 2 on Billboard’s Canadian Hot 100. Its self-titled debut album went gold and earned the band two Juno nominations, but last year’s follow-up had disappointing sales.
Tricia Helfer
The Donalda, Alta. girl started as a fashion model, appearing in Versace and Armani ads and on magazine covers. After moving to L.A. in 2002, Helfer left modelling for acting and eventually hit the jackpot in 2003, becoming the sexy chief robot leading humanity to its doom in Battlestar Galactica,until its 2009 finale.
Back to: Avenue Turns 5: Special anniversary series