A Summerland contestant will represent the community at the B.C. Ambassador pageant in Merritt later this month.
Jacquelyn Belanger, a former Blossom Queen in Summerland, will be at the provincial competition Aug. 17 and 18.
There are 12 contestants from around British Columbia.
During the two days of the pageant, she will give two speeches, one of them about the community. For this speech, she will be dressed to represent something from the community. “I’m dressing up as Giant’s Head Mountain,” she said.
While the pageant is an opportunity for Belanger to represent the community, she said it is also a good opportunity for her to improve herself.
“It was an opportunity I could not let pass. I had to do it,” she said.
In addition to the two public speeches, Belanger has also been preparing for a three-hour knowledge exam which will cover all of British Columbia.
During the preparation, she said she has gained a new appreciation for the province.
For example, she has had to study the meaning behind the elements in the provincial flag.
“It’s not just a flag anymore,” she said. “It’s what our province stands for.”
The pageant also has an evening gown segment, an impromptu question, an interview with the judges and a talent presentation.
For her talent, she will play the saxophone. She also performed on the saxophone for the 2011 Blossom Pageant in Summerland.
At the end, three equally ranked ambassadors will be selected.