A new Miss White Rock will be chosen to represent the city August long weekend, during the 52nd annual White Rock Youth Ambassador Awards Gala.

Held at the Coast Capital Playhouse July 31 at 7 p.m., one of 11 candidates will be crowned along with two princesses.

The young women will be graded on a speech and talent competition, fashion show presentation, essay, community knowledge exam, personal interview attendance and attitude.

The new ambassadors then begin their volunteer year at the Spirit of the Sea Festival and Torchlight Parade.

Here is a list of this year’s contestants, their schools and their sponsors:

Jenny Lee Elgin Park Secondary

Parfour Signs

Currently in Grade 10, Lee, who was born in Taiwan, works as a student counsellor at her high school.

Her hobbies include drawing, badminton and dancing, and she wants to pursue art in university.

Lee, 15, also has numerous academic awards from Taiwan.

Robyn Freiheit Earl Marriott Secondary

Re/Max Colonial

Freiheit, who is graduating high school next year, is interested in the sciences, and envisions a future in optometry and physiotherapy.

Working at the Wheelhouse Theatre as a house and stage manager and technician for various school productions, Freiheit also sits on school council and plays saxophone in the jazz band. Freiheit is trained in Royal Conservatory piano and maintains a 4.0 GPA.

Wendy Mo Elgin Park Secondary

White Rock Players’ Club

Mo, who was born in China, loves to draw, and her poster design for MADD was chosen to go to nationals.

She also loves reading and music, and participates in competitive swimming, figure skating and martial arts.

Grace Lee Elgin Park Secondary

Coast Capital Savings

Born in Taipei, Lee hopes to go to UBC and study science before attending medical school.

She sits on the student council and works on the dance crew at Elgin, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Lee has received awards for her efforts in math, art and flute, and plays piano.

In sports, she enjoys swimming, basketball, skating and badminton.

Michelle Flandin Earl Marriott Secondary

Peace Arch Monarch Lions

Upon graduating next year from Earl Marriott’s French immersion program, Flandin – who was born in Vancouver – wants to attend UBC to study business and marketing.

She is a member of the Global Citizens Club, sits on student council and is on the honour roll.

An accomplished swimmer, Flandin has her bronze medallion and bronze cross.

Her real passion is dance – including jazz, ballet, lyrical tap and pointe – which she practises 13 hours a week.

In her spare time, Flandin plays piano and enjoys photography, cooking and travelling.

Debby Chen Semiahmoo Secondary

Peace Arch News

Upon graduating in 2011, Chen hopes to attend university overseas.

She currently belongs to the Semiahmoo Support Club and Interact Club, and Canadian Cancer Youth Society.

Chen, who was born in Taiwan, maintains a 4.0 GPA, has volunteered for the YMCA and is trained in first aid and babysitting.

For relaxation, she plays piano, reads and watches movies.

Sara Li Semiahmoo Secondary

Mad Katz Clothing

From Hubei Province, China, Li is in Grade 10 and plans to go into Semiahmoo’s International Baccalaureate Program, as well as attend university.

Li has participated in school choir and leadership training, and helped paint the garbage cans that are situated along Marine Drive.

Li works part time at Dollar Giant, and, when there is time for sports, she enjoys tennis, skating and skiing.

Lydia Waiz Home-schooled

Peninsula Resort Retirement Living

One of the advantages of being home-schooled for Waiz is she can work 30 hours a week in the Save-On Foods deli.

After graduation, she plans to attend Kwantlen Polytechnic University for nursing.

Waiz has danced ballet for 12 years, and her interest in photography has earned her a first place finish in the 2006 Canadian Geographic Magazine Photo Contest.

Waiz and her family have also fostered orphaned kittens from the SPCA for years. When not caring for cats, she enjoys playing badminton.

Megan Ferguson Earl Marriott Secondary

K&D Furniture

Born in Fort McMurray, Alta., Ferguson would like to apply to UVic or UBC after graduating Earl Marriott’s French immersion program next year.

Her extracurricular activities include working on the school newsletter and participating in the Global Citizens Club.

Ferguson has volunteered and fundraised for Girl Guides, Walk for Cancer and Free the Children.

Ferguson has achieved bronze level in Duke of Edinburgh, third place in Skills Canada BC for web design and an honourable mention for her writing in a school district competition.

Christine Johnson Earl Marriott Secondary

White Rock Lionesses

After graduating next year, Johnson would like to attend university to study languages.

Born in Smithers, B.C., she currently studies French, Spanish and ASL.

Johnson likes to knit and sew, and has used her sewing skills to make cloth grocery bags for the Surrey Food Bank.

She plays softball for the Fraser Valley Fusion, and placed third in the Softball Provincial Championships in 2007 and 2008, and first in 2006.

Johnson’s other interests include music and fashion.

Shandis Harrison Earl Marriott Secondary

White Rock Elks Lodge #431

Born in Saskatoon, Sask., Harrison would like to study architecture in B.C. after graduating next year.

Her volunteer work has included organizing events for the Spirit of the Sea Festival, leadership training and working with rescued horses.

Harrison enjoys drawing, photography, playing flute, yoga and lacrosse.

v2