The Hyack Festival Association is on the lookout for young women interested in taking part in this year’s Miss New Westminster Ambassador program.
New Westminster resident Bryn Ward is pleased to be a mentor leader for the 2014 Miss New Westminster Ambassador program candidates, as she believes it’s a very important leadership/business program for the young women.
“The deadline has been extended to the end of the year,” she wrote in an email to The Record. “It is such a wonderful opportunity for the up and coming young women in our community.”
Applicants for the Miss New Westminster 2014 Ambassador Program must be 16 to 21 years and a New West resident. The program is a scholarship/mentorship program for young women, who will represent the city around the Lower Mainland, B.C. and the Pacific Northwest and will volunteer at festivals and celebrations in New Westminster.
“I am not allowed to disclose the number of current applicants however there is room for more, and we strongly encourage applicants to apply to this fantastic program,” Ward wrote. “I will be leading the weekly – 10 – mentor meetings. I'll be bringing in speakers to talk about women in business, self confidence, volunteering for our community, public speaking etc.”
Ward said the program has quite a few candidates who have strong interests in the arts, so she’ll discuss and share tips about the entertainment industry. Ward worked as a professional actress, including several appearances on Party of Five in Neve Campbell’s best friend.
“The main reason I have decided to volunteer for this amazing program is because it is not a beauty pageant. Originally established in 1948, the Hyack Miss New Westminster Ambassador Program provides young women in New Westminster with an opportunity to experience, among other things, professional instruction in etiquette, public speaking and career development,” she stated in her email. “The goal of the program is to positively influence their lives with skills that will last a lifetime. All of the candidates participate for the year in public engagements. The winner does receive a bursary towards college. There are many successful businesswomen in our community who were past Miss New Westminster winners. I am hoping that my daughter will participate when she is 16.”
