Six young ladies came together last Friday evening in Barriere to join the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association’s Ambassador Program as candidates for the 2012 season.
The NTFFRA Ambassador Program (previously called the Queen Pageant) is open to young ladies from Heffley Creek to Blue River.
This year both an upper and lower valley community will be represented, as three candidates from Barriere, and three candidates from Clearwater will spend the next five months learning about the North Thompson Valley, its heritage, and what the North Thompson Fall Fair Association is all about. Each candidate will also receive classes in area agriculture, toastmasters, speech polishing, ballroom dancing, hip hop dance, mechanics, hair and skin care, self defense, etiquette, personal and professional boundries, resume writing, interview preparation, and horseback riding.
The 2012 candidates, along with their sponsors, were introduced to the public for the first time as they received their candidate banners and tiaras from 2011/2012 reigning NTFFRA royalty; Queen Hannah Allen (Brennan Creek), Princess Kassandra Brown (Little Fort), and Princess Tianna Weninger (Clearwater).
The new 2012 candidates are: Kaylee Patterson (Clearwater) sponsored by Fraser Ventures Ltd., Kaitlain Chantler (Barriere) sponsored by Sam’s Pizza and Rib House; Alisha Gotro; escorted by Michelle Baillie of Baillie’s Towing; Aliya Bieber (Clearwater) sponsored by Wells Gray Info Center, Kennedy Ash (Clearwater) sponsored by Jim’s Food Market, and Alesha Kaduk (Barriere) sponsored by the Barriere Lions Club.
NTFFRA president Jill Hayward thanked the audience, sponsors and candidates, and presented each candidate with a NTFFRA lapel pin as she shook their hands and welcomed them to the Association. Hayward also presented a pin to District of Barriere Mayor Bill Humphreys who attended as a dignitary and guest speaker.
The Mayor said he was most impressed with the new candidates and thanked them and the sponsors for supporting the program, and representing the North Thompson Valley.
Following the banner ceremony the mic was turned over to Alexandra Brown (Little Fort), 2012 Ambassador Program Assistant and the former 2010/2011 NTFFRA Queen and Miss Congeniality, and Seanna Lyons (Barriere), 2012 Ambassador Program Assistant and the former 2010/2011 NTFFRA Princess. The two then introduced area rancher Barry Brady who kindly donated his time to be the auctioneer for the apron auction that was next on the agenda.
The new candidates, along with the current royalty, then each modeled colourful and unique aprons that they had created themselves. The audience was encouraged to bid on each apron as it was presented, with all monies raised during the auction going to assist with the cost of coaching, traveling and events throughout the duration of the 2012 candidacy. Alexander Brown also presented her apron for auction, with funds raised from that sale going towards helping Brown’s fundraising efforts for her candidacy in the BC Ambassador Program.
The final tally from the auction was over $2,000, thanks to a most generous bid of $1,000 for the apron made by Kaylee Patterson.
Afterwards, everyone had an opportunity to take photographs, meet the candidates and their sponsors, and share in the goodie table that was filled to capacity with sweet treats.
The Ambassador Program committee reminded folks to mark their calendars for the program’s Speech, Talent and Fashion Show on June 16, 7 p.m. at the Barriere Lion’s Hall, and the program Coronation at the Ridge (municipal hall) in Barriere on Aug. 30, 7 p.m.