Fourteen young women will vie for leadership roles through the White Rock Youth Ambassador Program. If all teenagers have met the criteria for the program, they will rise from the role of contestants to ambassadors at the annual awards gala on Aug. 1, 7 p.m. at Coast Capital Theatre.
At the gala, the “royalty” will be named, which include Miss White Rock, two princesses and a friendship ambassador. The royalty, who together represent the city and act in official roles during their term, will travel and work with the ambassador team during local and out-of-town events.
No men are participating this year.
Tickets to the gala are $25 and include dessert and coffee. To purchase tickets, call Debbie Ward at 604-538-2780 or email debbie@wrya.ca or debontheweb@shaw.ca
• • •
Rachel Woo
Remax Colonial
Rachel Woo is an Elgin Park Secondary student who was born in Korea. The 15-year-old speaks French, Korean and English, and is studying Japanese and Chinese. Her multilingualism allows Woo to work as a French tutor when not enjoying hobbies such as designing, shopping, reading and photography. Woo would like to attend university to obtain a bachelors degree and eventually a masters degree. She has attended Model United Nations and sits on student council and peer leadership council at school.
• • •
Ariel Lu
White Rock Lioness
Taiwan-born Ariel Lu is a Semiahmoo Secondary student who plans to study nursing when she graduates high school. The 16-year-old speaks Mandarin and Taiwanese and has volunteered at the Spirit of the Sea festival, White Rock Mandarin School, Bayridge Elementary and Semiahmoo Library. She also volunteers her time with the Kids Help Phone line. Lu, when not working at the Pacific Carlton as a server, enjoys chess, sewing, volleyball, skating, reading, drawing and photography.
• • •
Nicole White
Seung Ri Academy
Richmond-born Nicole White, 16, is an Elgin Park Secondary student who plans to study engineering at Stanford when she graduates. The busy teen works as an actress when she is not studying physics, chemistry, biology and drafting. White, who has two older siblings, belongs to Elgin’s hiking club, environmental club and peer leadership club. She enjoys dancing, music and public speaking.
• • •
Emma Shepherd
White Rock Tourism
Emma Shepherd is an Earl Marriott Secondary student who plans to study fashion design and merchandising after she graduates high school. Born in Maple Ridge, Shepherd has volunteered as at tutor, executed events for student government and attended fundraisers for BC Children’s Hospital. Shepherd has also attended Model United Nations, as she is interested in world politics. When she is not working at Dolce Gelato, Shepherd can be found volunteering as the manager for the boys varsity basketball team or enjoying hobbies such as fashion, sewing and skiing.
• • •
Neelam Hundal
Peace Arch News
Neelam Hundal, 17, is a Semiahmoo Secondary student and plans to attend the University of British Columbia to study science. The teen has volunteered for the Canadian Cancer Society and has helped plan community events, including the Terry Fox Run and Christmas dinner hampers, when she is not working for her father’s pharmacy. Hundal – a straight-A student – enjoys hot yoga and running and in her free time scrapbooks and reads.
• • •
Emma Dunfield
Royal Canadian Legion #8
White Rock’s Emma Dunfield is a student at Elgin Park Secondary. The 17-year-old, who has a twin sister named Sophia, wants to be an elementary school teacher when she is older. The teen studies French and American sign language and has volunteered as a camp counsellor at YMCA summer camps – where she developed her love of working with children. Dunfield loves writing and doing humanitarian work. She’s active in her school’s peer leadership club and global activist council.
• • •
Lily Liu
Windsor Square
China-born Lily Liu attends Elgin Park Secondary student and plans to become a CPA after attending university for a bachelor of commerce. The Mandarin-speaking teen has a five-year-old sister and also teaches piano to five and six year olds. When she’s not teaching piano or playing the bass clarinet, the 16-year-old works for H&R Block and as a tutor. She enjoys rugby, jogging, abstract painting and photography.
• • •
Sofija Kovacevik
Peace Arch Monarch Lions
Macedonia-born Sofija Kovacevik is a student at Earl Marriott Secondary who intends to study biology at university in the near future. The 16-year-old speaks Russian and Macedonian and is a volunteer for children’s day camps at White Rock Leisure Services and the South Surrey Recreation Centre. When she is not volunteering, Kovacevik enjoys playing badminton, music, photography, drawing, painting and scrapbooking. The busy teen is also a member of the Green Giants Environmental Club.
• • •
Sabrina Glazier
Bay Realty
White Rock’s Sabrina Glazier attends Elgin Park Secondary and plans to attend the University of Victoria for fine arts. The 16-year-old volunteers for Night Shift distributing clothing and food and sings with the White Rock Children’s Choir. The teen is a member of the Christ The King Church and works as a server. When she is not working, her hobbies include singing, dancing and cheerleading. Glazier is also a member of the school nail-art club.
• • •
Karen Cho
White Rock Museum and Archives
Karen Cho is a Semiahmoo Secondary student who plans to become an oncologist. Cho is fluent in Japanese and Korean – as her family originates from the two countries – and is learning Mandarin and French. Cho, 15, plays the violin at a RCM Grade 10 level and volunteers to play music, or keep the seniors company, at the Evergreen Baptist Campus of Care. When the award-winning musician is not volunteering for Kips Help Phone line or Cancer Youth Surrey, Cho works as a waitress and cashier at a Japanese restaurant. She enjoys yoga, painting, reading, biking, skating, golf and music.
• • •
Brielle McDougall
White Rock Elks Lodge #431
Washington-born Brielle McDougall is a Earl Marriott Secondary student, where she is a member of student government. The 16-year-old has studied Spanish for three years and works for Crescent Beach Swim Club as a swim coach. The competitive dancer, who dances at Essence and volunteers as a ballet teacher, also enjoys reading, dancing, swimming and longboarding.
• • •
Celia Sutton
White Rock Players Club
Semiahmoo Secondary graduate Celia Sutton will graduate from Vancouver Film School this year. The 18-year-old has worked as a professional model, trained as a camp counsellor and worked in day camps with children and special-needs adults at Camp Alexandra. The busy teen also works at Pelican Rouge Café as a barista and baker. Sutton holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and enjoys playing piano, sewing, designing clothes, modeling, acting, singing, weightlifting, gardening and dancing.
• • •
Jodi Ann Wang
White Rock Toastmasters
China-born Jodi Ann Wang is an award-winning solo trombone player who attends Semiahmoo Secondary. The 16-year-old plans to become a pediatrician and has volunteered for Spirit of the Sea, Tour de White Rock and has assisted at the Senior Games. The Mandarin-speaking teen belongs to the Earthworks and Globalizer clubs at Semi and plays rugby. Her hobbies include playing her trombone, piano, acting and choir.
• • •
Sonia Waiz
SSWR Hospice
Seventeen-year-old Sonia Waiz was home schooled and plans to attend university. The German-speaking teen has volunteered as a day-camp troop leader for the RCMP Junior Mounties and volunteered in Inivut caring for sled dogs for Artic Chalet. Waiz works at Raptor Ranch as an animal-care assistant and enjoys riding her horse and art.