Eleven young women recently started an adventure toward the coronation of the 53rd Vernon Winter Carnival Royalty at the launching of the Queen Silver Star Excellence Program.
Queen Silver Star LII, Christianne Edblad and Princess Silver Star Ashley Lazzarotto, beautiful in their red gowns, talked about their year so far.
“We’d like to thank everyone for their support. Tonight is the first step on the journey for these candidates and I’m so excited for them. Thank you to everyone for coming,” said Lazzarotto.
The royalty traveled to many communities around the province and attended a variety of local events over the summer.
“Winter Carnival is an incredible experience and so was getting to know so many people that we wouldn’t have otherwise. Volunteering in the community let us get to know our community better. We wouldn’t be the people we are if we hadn’t had this experience. Thank you everyone,” said Edblad.
Queen’s Committee chairman, Chere Lane, talked about the program.
“It is first of all an excellence program where the participants learn skills that they will use in all areas of their lives. The candidates get involved in the community and learn more about it. The focus is on education and last year we were able to give out $6,600 in scholarships through the generosity of sponsors and fundraisers we do,” she said.
“We also take part in the Little Miss Winter Carnival program with the Village Green Centre. This is a program for girls in Grades 1 to 3 who are partnered with a buddy candidate. All the girls are named Little Miss Winter Carnival and get to be part of the fashion show and proclamation and ride in the parade. Application forms will be available the end of September.”
“We congratulate the candidates and look forward to seeing the community out at the pre-Carnival events and at Carnival events. Remember that this year’s theme is Prehistoric Carnival: Carnival before Time,” said Dave Fletcher, Vernon Winter Carnival chairman.
The candidates start their classes this week and will continue three to four nights a week until proclamation and Winter Carnival Feb. 1 to 10, 2013.
Edblad and Lazzarotto introduced the 11 candidates, nine from Vernon and two from Armstrong, who received their banners and tiaras from their sponsors.
The candidates are: Amanda Breitkreutz, Miss Johnston Meier Insurance; Antonya Crosby, Miss White House Mortgages; Michaela Hamilton; Miss Silver Star Rotary; Kassidy Heska, Miss Armstrong Kin Club; Samantha Joy, Miss City Furniture and Appliances; Ali Kisilevich, Miss Downtown Vernon Association; Shayla Lemond, Miss Okanagan Natural Medicine; Sakshi Malhotra, Miss Kalamalka Rotary; Emily Pfannschmidt, Miss Durning Directions; Brittinie Piazza, Miss Blenz Coffee; and Katie Prosak, Miss Kari Gares MHC Mortgage House.
The classes, taught by volunteer instructors, are: speechcraft, Uta Van Ziffle from Vernon Toastmasters Club 1929; modeling, Tamsen Guidi; make up, Kari Gares and Tammy Holland of Merle Norman; etiquette, Jack Gareb, The Schubert Centre; mural tour, Holly Schmidt of the Downtown Vernon Association; financial planning, Troy Fochleer, Equuis Wealth Management; tourism, Teresa Durning, Vernon Visitor Centre; self defence, Rick Krego and Randy Martin; automotive, Martin von Holst, Fix Auto Collision; Vernon history and history tour, Pat Simmons, Vernon Museum; nutrition, Jan Hillis; fitness, Marie Hayden of Hayden Fitness, deep skin care, Jen Schmidt, Voila Hair Studio and Spa; dance lessons, Lorna Robb, Cheek to Cheek Dance Studio; interview skills, Beki Held, VantageOne Credit Union.
The judges are Cathy Cope, Tawnya Cameron and Galina Labun.
The evening ended on a quiet note of remembrance of candidate Mercedes Fraser who died in a cycling accident in August.
Her sponsor, Laura Jeronimo of Log Barn 1912, said, “It’s my great sadness and great honour to be here to recognize and honour Mercedes and all of the wonderful things she had accomplished in her young life. She had parachuted and she was interested in modeling and culinary arts. She was an amazing young woman. So, take to heart this beautiful spirit who will be with you as a shining star throughout this year.”
Fraser’s uncle, Darrel Wihnon, accepted her framed banner on behalf of the family, saying that she had been looking forward to being a candidate.
“Mercedes was always looking for something new to try. I congratulate the candidates. Mercedes will be with you in all your endeavours.”
