Story 7

Kaylee Hanowski

Story 7

 

The crown and pretty dresses aren’t all what being a Cambridge Ambassador is about. She is one of three of the Cambridge Ambassadors chosen, and the rewards and experiences for her, are many.

Cayla Yund, 18, is a representative for her city, Cambridge, defined by the Cambridge Ambassador Program. Yund is a full time student attending Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Between the two, Yund has a pretty full schedule, but as the program insists, school always comes first.

Yund was crowned the 18^th of June, in 2010. She was selected from a variety of candidates along with two others that were crowned as well. Three judges decided on the hard choice of which girls would represent Cambridge for the year to come.

This is not Yund’s first time participating in The Cambridge Ambassador Program.  When Yund was only six years old she was crowned Little Miss Cambridge in 1999.

“ I didn’t expect it to impact my life as much as it did,” Yund explained. From that point she knew she wanted to continue and wait till she was eligible to join the program again when she was old enough.

As a Public Relations Ambassador for the city of Cambridge, there are many events Yund attends and does for the community. The three ambassadors encourage other city’s crowning and festivals to support other girls in their new roles. The glistening floats that fill the streets in the summer are common for the ambassadors to be on. All the events that go on throughout the year in Cambridge, most likely, Yund is there. She could be dishing up food for people, greeting them with a friendly smile, or cheering people on at events like the Special Olympics Golf tournament. All the activities and different events attended never get old for the three Ambassadors; there is always something new to see, and new people to meet.

The Cambridge Ambassador Program has many opportunities for their Ambassadors. Each ambassador crowned is awarded a Scholarship. Another great benefit from the program is meeting all sorts of people. Yund found that she has many connections with people that can help with her future. The program actually encouraged Yund in knowing what she wants to do with her life. Yund has decided and has been accepted to go to Northwestern College and major in Public Relations.

           

“The scholarship was not only a bonus, but the experience influenced my future.” Yund expressed. Yund has grown with not only the community, but also the two other girls she does everything with. Kayla Wicklund, 20, of Cambridge, and Rachel Kalk, 18, of Cambridge are the other ambassadors selected.

 The summer months of June, July, and August, were the busy months for the girls. The busiest was 30 days back to back; the girls saw each other every day for events they attended. After those three months the business started to reside, and events became more evenly spaced out. Now, with summer just around the corner the ambassadors are preparing for a new crowning ceremony that takes place in June. Currently, candidates are participating in events with the ambassadors in the running for the next Cambridge Ambassador.

“It’s been great getting to know and becoming great friends with the girls I’ve been selected with.” Yund said. Not all three girls attend each event, because school and family come first, but they always try to be there for their community.

Yund’s journey doesn’t stop when new ambassadors are crowned for the years of 2011 and 2012. Yund has been selected out of the three girls to go further, in running for the Aquatennial Princess, or Queen of the Lakes. 49 girls, one from each of 49 towns are selected to run. Yund goes to Minneapolis in mid July for a week to be judged. If Yund proceeds to be crowned as either Princess or Queen, she will be moved further into running for even more intense, royalty positions.

Yund feels there are many misconceptions of the Cambridge Ambassador Program.

 “A lot of girls think its just smiles and waves, wearing a crown and wearing a dress.” She expressed, “but really, your chosen on your unique personality.” Many girls assume the program costs money for candidates and royalty to participate. The Cambridge Ambassador Program pays for everything by all the sponsors and fundraisers that are held in support of the program.

Even if Yund is tired, and worn out from the busy days she spends giving her time to volunteering, and working hard to keep her grades up in school, she is always willing to go to her events and do her best.

One of Yund’s favorite memories was at an event that she was so tired she didn’t even want to be at. After meeting a boy at The Special Olympics Golf Tournament, she quickly changed her mind, and wouldn’t want to miss the event for the life of her. The boy excitedly asked his father to take a picture of him and the princess, Yund. When the father snapped the picture, the boy quickly leaned over and kissed Yund on the cheek. Yund concluded by expressing, “It showed me that if I’m not in the mood to volunteer, at the end of the day, I’m not only giving back but getting something in return as well.”

She ended with, “ It made his day and he definitely made mine.”