For the past 50 years, the Sweetheart Youth Ambassador Program has offered young women in Cranbrook training in leadership and personal development, and the search is on for candidates for the 2016 Program.

“Applications for the 2016 Program are currently being accepted and the deadline is this Thursday, December 3,” says Sweetheart Program Assistant, Loree Duczek. “This past June, we celebrated 50 years of the program in Cranbrook and looking ahead to 2016, we are excited to continue the tradition.”

Duczek says the Program Committee has made a few exciting changes this year. “The biggest change is that for the first time, we are opening the program up to young ladies in Grades 10 and 11. We also have an earlier application deadline so that it doesn’t fall right on the Christmas holidays, and will be holding interviews in December so that we can start the program at the beginning of January.”

Application forms are available from the 2015 Youth Ambassadors or by contacting Karin Penner at 250-426-2957.

“It surprises me every year when people say ‘I had no idea what this program was all about – I just thought it was some kind of beauty pageant,’” says Duczek. “In reality, it’s a six month program focused on helping youth develop self confidence while providing training in everything from public speaking and resume writing to financial management and budgeting.” There is also a focus on community involvement and volunteering and the potential to earn scholarships.

“It’s six months that can change your life. It certainly changed mine,” adds Duczek.

The program itself runs from January to the third week in June. There will be an information meeting on December 8 at the Heritage Inn for potential candidates and their parents/guardians to learn detailed information about the program.

Lead image: 2015 Sweetheart of Sam Steele Kelsey Ackert and Princess Sarah Ferguson aboard Cranbrook’s float in the 2015 Santa Claus Parade Nov. 27. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW photo

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