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Welcoming the 2011/2012 Ladies of the Lake

The annual Lake Days highlight was again the Lady of the Lake Ambassadorship program. A stage full enthusiastic faces filled Saywell Park’s main stage, Saturday, June 11, during the crowning ceremony. The ceremony followed months of preparation on the part of the eleven Grade 11 Cowichan Lake girls vying for one of three spots on the Lady of the Lake ambassadorship program.
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The winning Lady of the Lake candidates demonstrate their talents during the annual Opportunity Night

The annual Lake Days highlight was again the Lady of the Lake Ambassadorship program.

A stage full enthusiastic faces filled Saywell Park’s main stage, Saturday, June 11, during the crowning ceremony.

The ceremony followed months of preparation on the part of the eleven Grade 11 Cowichan Lake girls vying for one of three spots on the Lady of the Lake ambassadorship program.

The Lake Days week itself included a few speeches by the Lady of the Lake candidates, as well as a demonstration of their talents, and even a fashion show; all of which being judged by three out-of-town impartial judges.

“I entered this competition a new girl, but I left with many friends,” a teary eyed Mary Batyi said at the coronation ceremony, before the three winners were announced.

“We’ve been with them for three months, and we’d like another three months,” organizer Denise Allen said.

Although eight of the 11 candidates left without a spot on the ambassadorship program, 2010/2011 second princess Ally Earle said that all of the girls would have made excellent ambassadors, in her farewell speech as ambassador.

Reluctant to let go of her crown, 2010/2011 Lady of the Lake Bre Kitagawa warned her successor that she should take lots of pictures, as the year will fly past.

“Your year is going to hit you like a fast-forward button on life,” she said.

The 2011/2012 Lady of the Lake is Jorden Matson, who represented the Country Grocer.

Crowds that attended Opportunity Night will remember her for showcasing her painting skills with an art exhibit for the talents portion of the evening show.

Also during Opportunity Night, all candidates were also asked on the spot what they would do with one magic wish. She responded by wishing to always be confident, as it would ensure success in life.

The 2011/2012 first princess is Mary Batyi, the Captain’s Quarters representative.

During Opportunity Night she demonstrated Highland Dance routine. Her answer to the magic wish question was to make school shorter.

The 2011/2012 second princess is Amber Bell, the Maude’s Diner representative.

The talent she showcased during Opportunity Night was her successes in competitive swimming, which she told the audience about, and gave a slide show/video presentation of.

Her answer to the magic wish question was to not be speaking in front of the crowd; an answer that resulted in some audience laughs.

A fourth winner of the night was B.P.O. Elks representative Tana Molenaar-Wilson, who the Lady of the Lake candidates voted in as miss congeniality.

This year’s Lady of the Lake, and first and second princesses, have a busy year ahead of them with many parades throughout the province, and even further, to wave at crowds from the top of their float, among other ambassadorship duties.