Susan Forgues

**Susan Forgues** was a contestant on Season 3.

## Background

*Retrieved from CBC.ca*

Susan may be a grandmother, but don’t let her kind-hearted personality fool you – she is quite a tough cookie! This retired helicopter pilot was the first woman in the world to be combat qualified on the Puma Helicopter, and went on to serve and protect in Bosnia, Somalia and Zaire. After time in both the Canadian and British Air Forces, Susan retired and went on to complete two degrees. While her career focus has been math and physics, her creative side has also flourished, with a talent for crafting and crocheting. Susan has always been an active volunteer in her community, focusing on literacy and animal rescue.

Susan has a BA in Anthropology from the University of Colorado and a Masters of Education in Cognitive Studies from Queen’s University. She graduated from both programs with an A+ average and a 3.99 GPA.

A woman of many talents, “Granny Sue” as she’s known by her two granddaughters wants to make it clear that a woman can do anything she puts her mind to. Watch the skies – this pilot may just be landing right in the Canada’s Smartest Person winner’s circle!

## Episode 301

As Susan entered the stage with her competitors, a clip of her and the other five contestants, Jonathan Gagnon, Stephanie Harvey, Vincent Law, Rup Magon, and Steve Norn, introducing themselves was shown. In this clip, Susan revealed that she had been shot at while on the job, so people shouldn't underestimate her. In the first challenge, the Speed Round, Susan received an overall percentage score of 70%. As a result, Susan finished in 1st place and was awarded 5 overall points.

With the first challenge and the resulting double elimination out of the way, a more elaborate clip presenting Susan, Jonathan, Steve, and Stephanie in that order was shown. In this clip, Susan revealed that she was one of the first women posted to an operations squadron flying Twin Hueys. In the second challenge, Mix Master, Susan earned 1 point. As a result, Susan finished in last place and was awarded 1 overall point.

In the third challenge, Spin-a-Speech, Susan was the third contestant up and had to give a toast as a wedding MC. She said, "Scott and Steve, it is my pleasure, as a **wizard** of words, before we all get **drunk**, to toast you to **wrestle** this problem to the ground of telling you how wonderful I believe you are. You are my **hero**, Scott. That time we met the **moose** in the Rockies will forever stay with me. I may be a little bit **crumpled** right now, I've been out on the dance floor, but I'm here in front of you now as a **gifted** speaker to tell you it is a **scream** to be the wedding MC today, to **imagine** what your lives together will be. I am not **reticent** in the least to tell you that you are a **honey** of a couple." Susan received a score of 11 words. Guest judge Scott Thompson commented that Susan's toast bodes well because he had just met a man named Steve. Scott ranked Susan in 2nd place for her overall performance and Susan was awarded 3 overall points as a result.

In the fourth challenge, Gear Head, Susan correctly assembled her blue gears 32 seconds into the challenge and correctly assembled her red gears 1 minute and 9 seconds into the challenge, but was forced to stop her progress 2 minutes and 7 seconds into the challenge due to Jonathan correctly assembling his green gears and triggering his whistle second at that time. As a result, Susan finished in last place and was awarded 2 overall points. After the first four challenges, Susan had received a total of 11 overall points. As a result, she finished in 3rd place and was eliminated from the competition. Jessi prompted applause for Susan in spite of her elimination.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 https://www.cbc.ca/smartestperson/participants/susan-forgues