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Ladysmith contestant for BC Ambassador highlighted town's best

Mrus was awarded with the plaque and bursary as being the friendly contestant.

It’s been a hectic five months, but according to Sidney Mrus, “it was really worth it.” 

Mrus, from Ladysmith, was a participant in the B.C. Ambassador program, which wrapped up last weekend. Ladysmith’s ambassador from 2017 spent the last five months and more helping a multitude of community organizations with fundraising and other programs they are involved in. 

“I was interested in the program because I learned so much form doing the Ladysmith program that I wanted to become stronger in my public speaking and learn more about the province. And it was just a plus to make new friends,” Mrus said of why she wanted to enter the provincial program.

One of the main focuses of the program is awareness of our own province Mrus said she learned a lot about B.C. 

"I felt like I didn’t know anything about B.C. until I did this,” she said.

Another aspect of the BC Ambassador program, as the ambassadors are also promoting their own towns, is having a community table. Mrus built her community table based on Ladysmith’s heritage First Avenue. The exhibit featured the various historic building along the street, as well as other special features including the anchor and fountain in the round-a-bout. The table actually included some of the famous cinnamon buns from the Old Town Bakery.

“We sliced the buns up, so we could hand out as many as possible,” she said, “but the guests really enjoyed it and thought it was a fun part.” 

The table also had the Chuck Perrin Memorial Tree, lit up, and the street fixture included the Christmas light strings going across from building to building. The backdrop to the downtown scene were story boards with Ladysmith’s history along with stories and pictures of the present and expectations for the future. It took Mrus several months to put the display together.

"I worked on it a little bit every day. Working full time and having a busy schedule, I worked away on it every day.”

Mrus was awarded, at the closing gala of the program, with the plaque and bursary as being the friendly contestant. This award was chosen by all the other contestants so it’s held in high regard. 

“I hate talking about myself!! I try to maintain a friendly, outgoing and positive personality all the time," she said of receiving the award. "I want to treat people the way I want to be treated. I just love to spread love, kindest and friendliness all the time."

“All the candidates were amazing,” she said. “They were all very supportive people to be around. We all got along really well and made friendships to last forever.”

She said each of the contestants has a place in her heart.

"I would say, though, I felt a really strong connection with Lucy (from Kamloops)  and Elise (from Lake Cowichan), two of the sweetest people I have ever met. But they are all amazing.”

On the first evening of the two-day gala Mrus had to give a timed speech about her community and all its advantages, which included all the community events as well as features such as Transfer Beach and the Holland Creek Trails. The second half of the evening all the candidates had to make a timed speech on something or someone that has left a mark or been an inspiration for them. Mrus’s speech was about her grandfather and how she has learned from him.

Mrus said she plans to stay in touch with her fellow contestants.

"The nice thing about this generation is we all have cell phones and social media so we can keep in touch, but I would also love to be able to go and visit everyone in their communities," she said. "I felt like I learned so much about everyone’s communities that I need to go experience it myself. Now I have a lifelong friend in each one."

She also found it a learning experience.

“I felt like I got to learn more about our history. Digging deeper to showcase our past, I felt like I learned a lot and the history and heritage, in our downtown core, is hugely interesting,” she said.

“I would like to thank my sponsors; the Ladysmith Kinsmen Club, Palmer/Leslie Chartered Professional Accountants and the A&W for giving me the opportunity to do this program. I would also love to thank everyone in this amazing town, who took the time each day, to vote for me for people’s choice. I love my town and everyone in it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The BC Ambassadors for 2024, selected Saturday evening, are Elise Nelson from Cowichan Lake, Jordyn Nelson from Oliver, and Lucy Matchim from Kamloops.