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When I was a little girl at parades I saw little representation of ethnic people on parade floats. The St. Louis Park Ambassador program has allowed me to be that representative.

June 14, 2014, I was crowned one of the two young adult ambassadors. It has been both rewarding and challenging. Being an ambassador is truly more than a crown and gown. The program teaches me many life skills such as public speaking and time management.

In addition, I didn’t have many plans for the summer and it provided me activities throughout the school year. With my involvement I have found it is also a great way to give back to the community.

My community service project took place at Towerlight Senior Living Center. Talking with the seniors while doing arts and crafts or seeing them smile and sing along to songs at the piano recital was a rewarding feeling, because I knew I impacted someone’s day for the better.

Without the program I don’t think I would have been in the Aquatennial parade or participated in a spaghetti eating contest in Hudson Wisconsin, which was my favorite event so far. I wouldn’t have my ambassador family, as well as friends from other ambassador programs.

It has become a common trend lately for people at events to ask me where I got my crown, thinking I just bought it somewhere, completely ignoring the little girls in outfits matching mine.

I respond telling them I’m an ambassador but that’s usually followed by a question asking if it’s a pageant. I usually respond with a more in-depth answer.

I tell them we represent St. Louis Park at various parades, coronations in Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin and do community service projects.

The program is more about community and building relationships. I’ve built many of these relationships at parades and coronations. On a typical parade day after the float is set up, we take that time to take photos and socialize with other ambassador and royalty groups.

Then finally the parade starts. Soon I’m in between two rows of people smiling and waving, and in return I smile and wave back while dancing to the music on the float. It is an amazing feeling, to know that I’m representing the diversity of St. Louis Park and I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to be the change I wanted to see.