Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-08-12, Page 7Three to compete at the CNE Laura Broadley Postmedia Network The Canadian National Exhibition will be holding its annual fair ambassador competition at the end of August. Three local youth are competing this year for the title: Jamee John- ston of Brussels, Amber Brodie of Seaforth and Lucas Dupee, represent- ing the Huron Central Agricultural Society will all be heading to Toronto in an effort to be crowned CNE fair ambassador for 2015. Johnston graduated from high school last year and will be starting in the massage therapy program at D'Arcy Lane Institute in London in the fall. Being the Brussels Fair ambassador is something Johnston knew she wanted to do since she was a little girl. "I competed in the Brus- sels fair because growing up I always saw all the ambassadors and always wanted to be one. I tried to compete last year but I wasn't old enough so I was really excited when I could this year," said Johnston. Public speaking was never something Johnston liked doing when she was younger but it's getting easier as she moves through the competition and agricultural society meetings. Being the ambassador of the Brussels Agricul- tural Society has given Johnston a different per- spective on the fair she has been going to since she was little. "I've been going to the fair for so long as the gen- eral public and then being there as the ambassador, getting to see everything, is really awesome," Johnston said. Amber Brodie, 21, will be competing alongside John- ston in August. She is a nurs- ing student at Lambton College. Growing up in a rural area gave Brodie a sense of community that is hard to find elsewhere. Participat- ing in the Seaforth ambas- sador competition was another way for her to appreciate where she comes from. "I wanted to be a part of the community and be involved in the rural aspects of it," Brodie explained. Brodie grew up on the family farm that has been in her family since 1960. She was nine -years -old when she started in the 4-H. Lucas Dupee, 18, will be representing the Huron Central Agricultural Soci- ety in August. Dupee is currently attend- ing Wilfred Laurier Univer- sity, studying towards a bachelors in business administration with hopes of pursuing a career in accounting. Deciding to compete at the Clinton Spring Fair was an easy thing to do for Dupee. "Growing up a lot of my family members had been involved in the fair in vari- ous ways so I saw that as an opportunity for me to do the same thing," said Dupee. When Dupee was really young he found public speaking a difficult thing to do but as he's grown older, getting up in front of a crowds is something he really enjoys. Dupee is preparing for the CNE competition by getting his speech together, going over inter- views to figure out what has worked and not worked in the past, as well TilMES * At The Bruce County Heritage Farm Show # August 14,15,16 Paisley Featuring COCKSHUTT A Family Fun Event! Demonstrations, Exhibits, Good Food, Entertainment 2 km South of Pailsey on Country Rd www.bruceheritage.com as practicing potential impromptu questions should he make it that far. Each contestant needs to have a one and a half minute speech prepared before they go to the CNE. Johnston, Brodie and Dupee will be competing against approximately 80 other contestants, said CNE spokesperson, Paula Ellis. The ambassador competi- tion at the CNE started in 1971 although the exhibition is in its 137th year. Seven of the 80 contest- ants will present their speech on stage to a panel of three judges, consisting of a CNE past president, the current director of the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies and a past fair ambassador winner. Ellis stresses the impor- tance of candidates having their speeches pre- pared and memorized. The subject of the speech must be on one of three topics, agriculture, their agricultural society or some aspect of their fair. "You don't want to get up in front of 1,200 people and not know what you're going to talk about. They can have little cue cards but they need to have that speech written," said Ellis. Each contestant is given an information package beforehand with a history of the CNE, which the judges may ask about. They also need to be aware of what is going on in the world of agriculture, especially in Ontario, said Ellis. All the competitors will be interviewed by the judges and asked numerous questions on a variety of topics. The top seven are chosen to pre- sent their speeches, then a top three are chosen and asked an impromptu question before a winner is chosen. Community knowledge and involvement, knowl- edge of the CNE and agri- culture, personality and presentation are some of the key characteristics that judges will be looking out for, said Ellis. The CNE ambassador will stay in Toronto for the remainder of the CNE, attending all the special events, citizenship ceremo- nies, dinners, tour around the grounds and engage the public. When they go home the ambassadors are invited by other fairs across Ontario to participate at the fair in some capacity, said Ellis. The opportunity to meet people all over Ontario gives the ambassador incredible confidence because they're speaking in front of vast number of people in different situa- tions. The winners also gain lifelong friendships, said Ellis. The competition will take place at the CNE from August 21 to August 23. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST HURON INVESTMENT PRODUCTS cC U;' T1 The County of Huron will be developing a roster of investment professionals and invites experienced Investment Firms / Advisors to submit proposals to provide the County with investment products such as GIC's and government bonds in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001. The Expression of Interest document can be obtained by contacting: Michael Blumhagen, County Treasurer 519-524-8394 extension 3230 or mblumhagen @ huroncounty.ca The deadline to submit a response to this Expression of Interest is Aug 31, 2015 Wednesday, August 12, 2015 • Huron Expositor 7 snaun Gregory Huron Expositor Rallying 4 Rebecca BBQ Everyone wearing Rallying for Rebecca T-shirts gathered for a picture at the Royal Canadian Legion in Seaforth. Tyler Smale, 7, and Mya Smale, 4, i showing support at the benefit BBQ for Rebecca Kipfer- Pryce. OPENS AUG 21 ALL EVENTS FREE WITH ADMISSION!' O RUSH: r� Parkour Demonstrations/UM Daily © Food Building Daily © CNE Midway Daily Vag CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION AUG 21TOSEPT 7 2015 LET'S GO TO THE EX! ft THEEX.COM El, 1 I© Info Line: 416.263.3330 Does not assub)es food a°a9ame:. . ". J l�J ' All O�°9ramssublenrotliange