A former Ladysmith ambassador is taking advantage of the chance to promote her community and the B.C. Ambassador Program’s mandate of education, motivation and self-esteem.
Sidney Mrus, Ladysmith’s ambassador in 2017, has been asked to represent the town again, this time as part of the B.C. Ambassador Program.
“It came as quite a surprise to me when I received the phone call from the organizers,” she said. “I really enjoyed the year I was representing Ladysmith and had thought of trying for the B.C. program, but got busy.”
The B.C. Ambassador Program, following a hiatus, returned in 2022. It is open to youths 17 to 24 who have previously held a community ambassador title in British Columbia. Three members of the program will be selected to represent the youth of the province this summer.
For now, the duties of the ambassadors includes travelling throughout British Columbia promoting the program’s ideals, as well as their community and all that it has to offer.
“This part I like, as I am proud of Ladysmith and what it does, so I feel good in telling others about it…” she said. “I really believe that Ladysmith is the best place. It has really super people and it’s so beautiful.”
Mrus, 23, graduated from Ladysmith Secondary and then Vancouver Island University, and now works at FYI Optometrists in town and has volunteered for community causes such as the Ladysmith Health Care Thrift Store and Ladysmith Family and Friends.
“I grew up around Light Up along with all my cousins, as we went out with our families and helped with the lights, it was a fun time,” she said. “Our grandparents have been involved forever, along with Mom and Dad, and that really started us to enjoy being volunteers.”
B.C. Ambassador Program participants are expected to raise more than $1,500, more than half of which will go to program bursaries. The B.C. Ambassador Program finale will be July 24-27 at Lake Cowichan.