Paula Marie Clory

Paula Marie Clory is 34 years old. She has two children – Daniel, who is six and Sierra who is three. Paula says that her children are the reason she strives so hard to do well, so that she can give them a good life and teach them the importance of lifelong learning and continuous education. Paula’s husband, Jeff, is a great support for her – he helps with child care, homework, housework, and overall support for Paula’s long hours needed for her work and studies. Paula says that Jeff soothes her soul when she feels guilty about not being a stay-at-home-mom.

Paula graduated from Westisle Composite High School in 1994. In 2000 she graduated from Holland College with an Accounting Technician diploma. Now, Paula is currently enrolled at the University of Prince Edward Island where she is in her second year of Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.

Growing up on Lennox Island, Paula says her mother was her biggest inspiration. When Paula was 14, her mom decided to go back to school where she went on to get her GED and then to the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Over the past 15 years, Paula has lived in a few different places, such as Fredericton, St. Mary’s, Afton, Big Cove, Fort McMurray and Charlottetown. As great as all these places were though, she never lost the desire to move home to and help her community become even greater than it already is. She became interested in Business and Finance when she realized how much improvement could be made in this field within our aboriginal communities.

Having lived in Charlottetown for ten years prior to moving home, a lot of Paula’s volunteer work to date has been done at the Native Council of PEI. She has worked on the pow wow committees, fundraisers for the homeless shelter, Christmas Campaigns, and youth functions. At each and every one of these opportunities, Paula says she learned something either about herself or the about the strength and pride within our communities. She was also afforded the opportunity to sit as a board of directors on an Aboriginal Economic Development Fund which offered her insight into business from a whole new perspective. Since moving home, she has volunteered to coordinate the Miss Lennox Island Pageant which is held every St. Ann's Sunday. She also started a role model showcase in which boys in the same age group can enter and practice their public speaking and work on their self esteem. Paula believes that if we have youth who believe in themselves and are proud to show their accomplishments to the public that our future will be amazing.

When asked about her personal accomplishments, her family comes to mind. Paula believes that her accomplishments are a family effort. Their children are happy, healthy, and show all the signs of being open to the wisdom that flows around you as you go through life. Paula says that “With the right frame of mind and a positive attitude we can achieve our dreams and goals!”