Emily Weeks was crowned 2014 Ladysmith Ambassador Saturday, April 12 during the Coronation Evening at Frank Jameson Community Centre.  Right before Weeks received her crown, Hana Reinhart and Yvonne Houssin were named Vice-Ambassador.

Emily Weeks was crowned 2014 Ladysmith Ambassador Saturday, April 12 during the Coronation Evening at Frank Jameson Community Centre. Right before Weeks received her crown, Hana Reinhart and Yvonne Houssin were named Vice-Ambassador.

Emily Weeks crowned Ladysmith Ambassador

As eight-month program ends, Weeks is named Ladysmith Ambassador, Hana Reinhart and Yvonne Houssin crowned Vice-Ambassadors

There were a lot of tears, laughs and hugs Saturday night, as the reigning Ladysmith Ambassador team said goodbye and this year’s eight-month program ended in the crowning of a new Ladysmith Ambassador and two Vice-Ambassadors.

After the 13 2013-14 candidates had given their sponsor speeches and answered an impromptu question in front of the judges and after all their scores had been calculated, three young women were chosen to represent Ladysmith in 2014.

In front of a large crowd at the Frank Jameson Community Centre Saturday, April 12, Emily Weeks was named Ladysmith Ambassador, while Hana Reinhart and Yvonne Houssin were chosen Vice-Ambassadors.

“[It feels] like this isn’t even real, this is all a dream,” an excited and emotional Weeks said, not long after being crowned. “It’s amazing. It’s a great, great feeling. After eight months of hard work and dedication by everyone, it’s a huge relief.”

Weeks, who is 16 and in Grade 11, feels the best part of being involved in the Ladysmith Ambassador Program for the past eight months has been getting a sense of feeling in the community.

“We got to be huge parts of Ladysmith, getting to do things we don’t normally get to do,” she said.

After receiving the crown from outgoing Ambassador Kristy DeClark, Weeks said she is most looking forward to the experiences she’ll have in the coming year as she represents Ladysmith at various community events and across the province.

“I’ve been watching Coronation for quite a few years now and always, in their speeches, the Ambassadors talk about what an amazing year it was, and I can’t wait to have those experiences,” she said.

A number of awards were presented during the Coronation Evening.

Samanta De Souza won first place in the talent category, while Yvonne Houssin was second, and Melissa Mrus and McRae Berrow tied for third.

In the speech category, Houssin finished first, while Reinhart and De Souza tied for second, and Berrow finished third.

Angela Stachow was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow candidates.

The Ladysmith Ambassador Committee presented a Personal Growth Award to Christina Youngren and Reinhart for flourishing throughout the program.

As well, 2013 Ambassador Kristy DeClark and Vice-Ambassadors Kira Mauriks and Sydney Jordan received scholarships from the Ladysmith and District Credit Union.

“You’ve represented Ladysmith very well, thank you,” Deputy Mayor Duck Paterson told the departing Ambassador Team. “Ladysmith is very, very fortunate to have young people like you coming up and representing the town’s dream of being a town where everyone wants to be.”

The Ladysmith Ambassador Program works to foster self-esteem, leadership and community spirit in young women aged 16 to 19 who are residents of Ladysmith and are enrolled in high school.

In the past eight months, the 13 candidates participated in an eight-week Toastmasters course to prepare for their speeches, worked on showcasing a talent, spent many, many hours volunteering in the community, participated in fundraising events for the Ladysmith Ambassador Program, did an in-depth one-on-one interview with the judges and were also marked on their attendance and poise.

“It’s truly amazing to see young women from different backgrounds come together and develop poise and self-confidence,” said Jayse Van Rooyen, a member of the Ladysmith Ambassador Committee and former Ladysmith Princess, who emceed the Coronation Evening with Madeline Tremblay. “Although only three will be chosen tonight, they truly all are winners.”

“The candidates have worked very hard over the last eight months representing the community, and the Ambassador Committee is very proud of them,” added Tremblay.

The program is supported by many service clubs and businesses in the community.

Ladysmith Chronicle