Alexandra Barzvi is the proud owner of a brand-new, just minted Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. The 33-year-old graduate of the University of Connecticut’s Master’s Program worked very hard to achieve this, and takes her field seriously.
Barzvi, a resident of West New York and native of New York City, is also the owner of a pretty nice set of feet.
And to this end, Barzvi has entered a national contest sponsored by Shoes.com and Foot.com called The World’s Most Beautiful Feet Contest. She was recently chosen as one of the 10 finalists. As a finalist, Barzvi won a $100 gift certificate to Shoes.com and Foot.com.
The grand prize this year is an eight-day, seven-night all-expenses paid trip to any Superclub Breezes Resort for two. They are located around the world.
According to a press release, the finalists were chosen from numerous entries mailed and e-mailed to Foot.com between Memorial Day weekend and the contest deadline, August 1, 2003. The contestants were judged by a panel of foot care experts and podiatrists.
While it may seem strange or incongruous for a Ph.D. to enter a contest of this nature, Barzvi feels it’s completely normal.
“I like to defy expectations,” said Barzvi in a telephone interview from her West New York home. “I always see things in life as a possibility.”
Barzvi’s positive attitude certainly helped her get through the arduous process of earning her degree. And to hear her tell it, it just may help her win the contest.
Said Barzvi, “I had to get very creative with ways to clear my mind during the long writing process [of her dissertation],” she said. “After all, there are only so many hours I can spend in the gym or cooking for one.”
According to Barzvi, she first heard about the contest four years ago from, of all sources, her mom. Barzvi entered the contest then, but didn’t win.
“My mom is so cute,” said Barzvi. “She is always collecting newspaper clippings and articles about things that may interest me. In this case I decided to take a digital photo of my feet and send it in.”
Barzvi had good reason to be confident in her feet. “People have always told me that I had nice feet and a very high arch,” she said. “I chalk it up to the many years of ballet training that I had at the School of American Ballet in New York City. Plus, I used to literally stand on my toe as a child.”
Barzvi’s love of travel is the impetus for wanting to win the contest. Said Barzvi, “The last few years have been tough, a lot of work. I’d love to be able to take a trip and relax. I was really disappointed when I didn’t win. I came in as a runner-up and I didn’t win the trip, which that year was a trip to Mexico, I think. Hopefully, I’ll do better this year.”
Regardless of the outcome of the pretty feet contest, Barzvi has grand designs on the future. Said Barzvi, “I’d love to eventually have a not-for-profit organization that can help many people straighten their lives out.”
Voting ends Sept. 19, 2003 and the winner will be announced Sept. 22. Anyone wishing to vote can go to www.shoes.com or www.foot.com.