User:Chantel Valdivieso

Chantel Louise Valdivieso, (born June 6,1994) child actress and motivational speaker. She is known professionally as Chantel Valdivieso.

Biography

Chantel Louise Valdivieso was born June 6, 1994 on Lakenheath Air Force Base, Lakenheath, England, while her mother, Teresa, was serving in the United States Air Force. Chantel's family was transferred to Tucson, Arizona when Chantel was only seven weeks old. Some would think this is an odd age to be a frequent flier, but not for a military family! Chantel's family had been approached many times about putting her in the entertainment business but with their military schedules this was never possible.

After her mother's retirement they moved to Joplin, Missouri, where their family lived. Chantel began taking modeling classes at the local YMCA. Her modeling coach Colleen Hayden, helped to prepare her by organizing runway fashion shows, televised interviews as well as building self-esteem through teaching classes on health and beauty. With the support of her family, her coach Colleen and Colleen's husband John, Chantel was off to New York for the summer. With her mother retired, Chantel now four was commuting from their home town of Joplin, Mo., to the Big Apple. She began working in the Fashion and Print Industry. After being in New York for only three days Chantel booked her first commercial for New York College Saving Fund. By the age of six she had already booked jobs with Sears, Imaginarium, Marshalls and Zoey Computer Games.

With Chantel’s dreams of becoming an actor the family moved to California. By July 2002, she added voice-overs to her resume. Booking a voice-over for Sutter Health Care opened another avenue for her to showcase her talents. By mid-2002, she had won leads in three Independent Films. Through her hard work, her dreams were becoming a reality. In November 2002, Chantel was given her first SAG job. She received a casting call for a pretty, sweet, hero girl named "Holly" (a young Halle Berry type). Her break came after the third callback for the feature film "The Polar Express."

Chantel continues to keep busy shooting commercials as well as episodes like "Zoey 101,” "The Dog Whisperer," and The Ellen Degeneres Show. She also belongs to the AFTRA union. She became the first child to be an Announcer at the Imagen's 20th Annual Awards Show. Chantel has worked on a series called "Have Sword Will Travel." For this project she took sword classes working toward her Level 5 Degree. Chantel worked with "Norky" and the PolarBall. Norky is a pen-eagle (penguin/eagle) hybrid and keepers of Santa's naughty and nice list. Chantel is the "Youth Ambassador of Goodwill" and "Celebrity Host" of Norky TV Network. Keep an eye out for the first book in a series of children's books Christmas With Norky being released in September 2007 with a Celebrity Christmas Special to follow. Chantel’s most resent projects have been “The Santa Clause 3,” “Something Is Killing Tate” and “The Loop.”

Although acting has been Chantel's passion she also wanted to attend college. During high school she has been very dedicated to her studies as well as to be an active class leader. She has held an elected position each of her four years. Starting as Freshman as Balloons Fundraising Commissioner, Sophomore Class President, Junior Publicity Commissioner and finally Executive Secretary in the Associated Student Body. Chantel also became very active in John Burroughs dance as the team's Co-Captain. Her duties included enforcing discipline, fundraising and monitoring team. Chantel also regularly attended CADA leadership camps and leaderships development days as a member of John Burroughs Associated Student Body.

Chantel Graduated John Burroughs High school in May of 2012. She was honored to be the first class to be walking across the newly remodeled football field. Graduating with the following awards as her Mother proudly stood by her side. Chantel Graduated as a California Scholarship Federation Life Member, John Peebles Scholarship Winner, Blackhorse Association Scholarship Winner,Advance Placement Scholar, and California Association of Director of Activities (CADA)

Chantel is very passionate about helping others and changing our world one person at a time. She feels it is part of her responsibility to be a good role model and lead by example.

Trivia

She often reads to younger children as a part of SAG and BookPals, Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools, libraries and other special events.

Chantel loves all kinds of animals. Her rottweiler "King" has passed away but he is still very close to her heart. She has a large aquarium full of fish and has even raised butterflies. She has been known to bring home stray or abandoned animals.

She has cooked since the age of 5. Loves making organic treats for animals. Her favorite food to cook is Organic Cheese Ravioli. She is a Vegetarian.

Chantel strongly believes in giving back. Volunteering is very important to her. She is active at Veterans Hospitals and various Community Projects. Chantel often speaks at events sponsored by the Foundation For Greater Opportunties in Learning. This foundation places special emphasis on the educational development of children and adolescent in risk circumstances such as single family homes and the foster care system.

She is a proud supporter of Ronald McDonald's Houses across the Nation. She often travels to her home town of Joplin, Missouri to help in fund raising.

Chantel volunteers with Pet Rescue Organizations. Rescue a year old Pitbull mix named Kai(2010).

During her free time she likes to talk on the phone, swim, bike ride and shop till she drops with her friends.

She went to Webb City Middle School, Missouri to talk about "The Polar Express" and how it is to work with Tom Hanks and other actors.

She was the first child ever to be an announcer at the Imagen Awards, opening the 2005 Imagen Foundation's 20th year show representing the future.

She is the "Youth Ambassador of Goodwill" and "Celebrity Host for "Norky" and Norky TV Network.

Chantel has traveled to ten different countries exploring different cultures and providing humanitarian aid.

Chantel started riding at the Traditional Equitation School in Burbank at the age of ten. In 2008 she started volunteering as a camp Counselor for the summer, winter and spring children's horse camp. Responsibilities include educating children six to thirteen on equine care, horse show etiquette, and animal safety.

She became a Member of Actor's Fund Looking Ahead Program Leadership Council (2008) responsible for planning, organizing, and executing recreational events and educational seminars for young actors

City of Burbank Parks and Recreation Department Counselor in Training (2010) at local elementary schools. Assisted staff members with activity planning and after school care.

She will be attending UCLA in the fall(2012).

Filmography

THE SANTA CLAUSE 3, Worker Elf # 1

SOMETHING IS KILLING TATE, Dottie

THE POLAR EXPRESS, Co-Lead w/ Tom Hanks

MEANT TO BE, Lead

PLAYING SOLITAIRE WITH DEATH, Co-Star

HAVE SWORD, WILL TRAVEL, Co-Lead

THE UNTITLED WHITE G PROJECT, Lead

Television

THE LOOP, Hannah

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, Herself

ZOEY 101, Karen

THE DOG WHISPERER, Herself

Awards'

Received Young Artist Award: Special Award to the Young Motion Performance Capture and Voice Artists for the character "Holly" in "The Polar Express." (2004)