Last week, BC Ambassador hopeful Jackie Johnson left by plane for Nicaragua.
Next week, she’ll begin fund-raising in Lake Cowichan to begin her run for a BC Ambassador position.
Both major projects are, in a way, part of the 21-year-old’s journey toward becoming a dentist.
While in Nicaragua, she’ll be staying with a home stay, and working on dentistry.
“I’m fascinated with mouths and teeth,” she said.
During her two-week stay in Nicaragua, she’ll be cleaning and extracting teeth, and performing general cleanups. For each four students, there will be one certified dentist overseeing things, giving Johnson plenty of chances to receive feedback.
Before leaving Lake Cowichan, Johnson collected 85 pounds of dental items from donors.
“It’s great how the community can come together and donate supplies for a country that has nothing to do with them,” she said.
A day after she returns, Sunday, May 29, Johnson plans on selling hot dogs at the Country Grocer, in order to help raise funds to help in her run for a BC Ambassador spot.
Having run as Cowichan Lake’s Lady of the Lake from 2007 to 2008, she said that she’s looking forward to the possibility of running for the entire province.
“Public speaking is a hard trait to get used to, and this will help,” she said. “It’s always nice to meet new people, and you meet lots of friends, too.”
Underlying these two major projects is Johnson’s desire to become a dentist.
Her interest in the field began at the age of 14, when she worked as an assistant’s assistant at the Lake Dental Health Centre.
She’s recently finished her third year toward earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology and Math, and aspires to enter dental school upon the degree’s completion.
It’s a very competitive field to enter, she said, and this real-world experience in Nicaragua, and her ambitious running for a BC Ambassador spot, may give her an edge.
The BC Ambassador program has created a new title this year, with the People’s Choice Award.
Johnson can be voted for online, at www.bcambassador.com. The winner receives a $500 bursary.