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Exeter Times -Advocate
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Granton girl wins first runner up at CNE
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
GRANTON — "This is quite an accom-
plishment," says Canadian National
Exhibition (CNE) first runner-up, 19 -
year -old Colleen O'Shea of the Granton
area.
"I'm so happy to represent the
Western Fair so well," O'Shea adds.
O'Shea, who won the Western Fair
Ambassador competition last
September, competed against about 175
other Ontario fair ambassadors over
three days, from Aug. 18-20 at the 35th
CNE competition at the Queen Elizabeth
Theatre in Toronto.
Each contestant was judged during the
three day period in several different
areas, including knowledge of the CNE
and agriculture, poise, personality and
interview and overall impression.
They also attended seminars where
O'Shea says, "someone was always
watching," judging their presence.
After each ambassador competed, they
were narrowed down to seven contes-
tants.
"Each top seven prepares a speech,"
says O'Shea, whose slogan was
"Farmers Feed Cities."
"I was happy to get to the top seven,
extremely happy," O'Shea adds.
According to O'Shea this is the furthest
a Western Fair ambassador has placed.
O'Shea also placed further than both
her sister and two brothers who have
both participated in the CNE. She adds,
"my sister made it to the top seven."
After the top seven became the top
three, O'Shea says she was thrilled to
still be standing.
O'Shea, is going into her second year
at the University of Guelph, taking Child
Youth and Family Development and
planning to follow-up her education with
a degree in teaching. She is no stranger
to competitions.
O'Shea has completed 23 projects dur-
ing her involvement with the 4-1I pro-
gram, attending both local and provin-
cial leadership conferences.
She has also shown Herford cattle, for
many years participating regularly in
provincial and national shows like the
Royal Winter Fair in Toronto annually,
the National Junior Herford Show and
the Bonanza.
O'Shea has won two national gold
medals and two national silver medals
with her synchronized skating team
from Ilderton.
She has also earned several athletic
awards during high school at Medway
and was active in many other areas at
Medway, like student council, choir and
the drama club.
O'Shea will fill in for CNE winner and
Dresden resident Joslin Badder when
she is unable to attend certain engage-
ments.
She will also be at the Western Fair
next month, making a couple of appear-
ances.
O'Shea says the CNE competition was
a dream come true, adding "it was real-
ly nice to meet so many girls and guys
from across the province enthused
about the agriculture industry."
Colleen O'Shea, pictured in the left photo and above right, of the Granton area,
represented the Western Fair this year at the Canadian National Exhibition
(CNE), earning first runner-up.The competition judged its contestants on several
areas, like knowledge of the CNE and agriculture, poise, personality and interview
and overall impression.Above left is the winner of the 2005 CNE, Christina
Crowley of Norwood. (photos/submitted)
The South Huron Playground held a party last Friday, celebrating its last day of summer fun with games, crafts and sundaes. Over the two month program, much fun
was had by all during their several field trips, including a trip to African Lion Safari. Many summer activities were also planned, like swimming.About 15 to 20 children
attended the program daily.Above from left clockwise are Dylan Masse,Tyler Glenn, Steven Collett, Noah Chapman,Ally Hayter, Simon VanElswyk, Sally Eo, Zachary
Kadey, Nathan Papple,Adam Windsor, Emma Papple, Olivia Papple, KyIa Chapman, Dominick Masse, Kaylee Myatte and Kevin Eo, getting ready to make caterpillars out
of egg cartons.The children also received awards during a ceremony which they showcased for the picture. Front from left are Kevin Eo, Emma Papple, leader Maggie
Miller, co-ordinator Kelil Fulton, volunteer Ty Bilcke, leader Casey Cyr and leader Jessica Bickel!. Back from left are volunteer Kaitlin Fisher, Sally Eo, volunteer Jordan
Ratteau, Collett, Olivia Papple,Windsor, Kadey, Glenn and Noah Chapman.Along the staircase are, from the top,VanElswyk, Myatte and Hayter. (photos/Nina Van Lieshout)