Six young ladies came together Friday evening, Mar. 30, 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 three candidates from Barriere and three 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 will also receive classes in area agriculture, Toastmasters, speech polishing, ballroom dance, hip-hop dance, mechanics, hair and skin care, self defense, etiquette, personal and professional boundaries, resume writing, interview preparation, equine awareness 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) Sam’s Pizza and Rib House; Alisha Gotro (Barriere) Baillie’s Towing; Aliya Bieber (Clearwater) Wells Gray Info Center; Kennedy Ash (Clearwater) Jim’s Food Market; and Alesha Kaduk (Barriere) Barriere Lions Club.
NTFFRA president Jill Hayward presented each candidate with a NTFFRA lapel pin as she welcomed them to the association. Hayward also presented a pin to Barriere Mayor Bill Humphreys who attended as a guest speaker.
The mayor was most impressed with the new candidates and thanked them and their sponsors for supporting the program and representing the North Thompson Valley.
Alexandra Brown (Little Fort), the 2010/2011 Queen and Miss Congeniality, and Seanna Lyons (Barriere), the 2010/2011 Princess introduced area rancher Barry Brady, the auctioneer for the apron auction.
The new candidates, along with the current royalty, then each modeled colorful and unique aprons that they had created themselves. The audience bid on each apron as it was presented, with all monies raised going to assist with the cost of coaching, traveling and events. Alexander Brown also presented her apron for auction, with funds raised from that sale going to help Brown’s 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 and more.
The NTFFRA Ambassador Program committee reminded folks to mark their calendars for the Speech, Talent and Fashion Show on June 16, 7 p.m. at the Barriere Lion’s Hall, and the Coronation at the Ridge (municipal hall) in Barriere on Aug. 30, 7 p.m.