Miss New Westminster candidates are picking up some words of wisdoms from their elders.
A new component is being introduced to the 2015 New Westminster Hyack Ambassador program. The program, which culminates with the crowing of Miss New Westminster, includes a new partnership with residents of Thornbridge Gardens.
Hyack ambassador candidates meet and interview residents of Thornbridge Gardens retirement home and then prepare and present a speech about their partnered seniors’ life experiences to the Thornbridge Garden community in preparation for the 44th annual pageant and awards gala on March 28.
“This project has been unbelievably successful,” said program coordinator Deb Wardle. “Some of the girls came out after their initial interview with tears in their eyes after hearing some of the seniors’ stories.”
While the girls may have been a bit uneasy about the idea of interviewing a stranger, they couldn’t believe the hour was up so quickly and didn’t want to leave.
“I am studying World War II at school and hearing Mrs. Duval’s stories about living through it just makes me understand it,” ambassador candidate Skye Wright-Hinton said in a press release.
The 2015 candidates are: Jolene Bernardino, Sophie Candolfi, Sarah Stewart, Simran Rattan, Wright-Hinton, Jasmine Miriguay, Taylor Atherley and Sydney Fitzsimonds.
The project included a number of meetings between the seniors and the candidates. In addition to meeting weekly and attending a number of presentations, the eight 2015 Hyack ambassador candidates have volunteered at a number of events, including a Cookies for a Cause fundraiser for World Vision, November Night in Sapperton and attending the Santa Claus and Grey Cup parades.
The Hyack Festival Association will formally introduce this year’s candidates at a President’s Tea on Sunday, Jan. 18 at the CAW Union Hall at 707 12th St. All Hyack members and the general public are welcome to attend the tea. Tickets are $12.50 and available at the Hyack office (604-522-6894) or on eventbrite.ca (search for Hyack).
The candidate will also be holding a fundraising Ambass-A-Bowl, which includes bowling, a silent auction, a candy concession and a 50/50.
Tickets for the fundraiser, which takes place on Friday, Jan. 30 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Lucky Strike Lanes, are $10 per person and include three games of bowling and shoe rental.
For more information, call the Hyack Festival Association office at 604-522-6894.
Parenting boys
If you’re in search of some parenting tools to help with raising a boy, an upcoming presentation will help.
Barry MacDonald is returning to the Royal City with his Boy Smarts presentation. MacDonald is an author, teacher and counsellor/coach, who is a champion for strong families, strong schools – and boys. (I attended one of his presentations when my boys were younger, and, as they approach the tween and teen years, hope to attend to get a refresher.)
Tickets are $10 and are available at masseytheatre.com. Child care is available for kids aged two and up. Register in advance at [email protected].
Urban Academy opens doors
Urban Academy is opening its doors to the community this month.
The independent school is holding an open house for grades 6 to 12 on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 601 Eight Ave. Urban Academy bills itself as being the Lower Mainland’s only arts-infused independent school.
For more information, visit www.urbanacademy.ca.
Send Around Town ideas to Theresa, [email protected].
