EZAS Ambassador Program

The Ambassador competition is a leadership program for youth in the Embro and Zorra community. It is an opportunity that focuses on public speaking, rural & agriculture awareness as well as community involvement. Throughout the competition each contestant will interview with a panel of three judges, give a speech on a given topic and answer questions from the judges panel.

The winning Ambassadors will represent the Embro and Zorra Agricultural Society in the community and various events. The Senior Ambassador will also have the opportunity at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) to compete for the title of CNE Ambassador of the Fairs.

The Junior and Senior Ambassadors have the opportunity to engaged in community events, collaborate with other Ambassadors across the province and country as well as develop leadership skills that will support them into their future.

MEET OUR AMBASSADORS

SENIOR AMBASSADOR: Hailey Luptin

We are thrilled to have Hailey as our Ambassador! Learn a bit more about her and make sure to introduce yourself at our upcoming events.

Education:

I am currently a highschool senior at Huron Park Secondary School and plan to continue my education through University hopefully getting a degree in History and English.

Job/Occupation:

I have been working at Quehls Restaurant in Tavistock for the past two and a half year's. In the future I hope to have a career in teaching History and English to highschool students.

Hobbies:

In my spare time I enjoy quiet activities such as reading dystopia and History novels or writing short stories. During the summer I love helping out on the farm doing chores with my siblings.

Extra Curricular Activities:

Since I've been in highschool I have played basketball every year. I also am involved with my schools leadership club which involves me helping out the new students and planning school events.

How are you involved within the Embro & Zorra Community and/or your school?

I grew up in East Zorra area and have grown a strong appreciation for the community. I have many younger cousins that do skating and hockey at the arena and it's always fun being able to cheer them on. My father also owns Kintore grain Elevator in the Embro area, and we as a family has always operated our family farming business in Embro/Zorra community.

What are your favorite things/events about the Embro Fair?

My favourite event at the Embro Fair is the car show. I find it very interesting to see all the different kinds of cars, bring some cars owned by my family and support a great cause.

What are you looking forward to as the Fair Ambassador?

I'm looking forward to running for Fair Ambassador because I enjoy public speaking and writing. Agriculture is a very important part of my identity and so I'm grateful to have the chance to advocate for it. I also think that it would be a great opportunity for myself to become more involved in the community.

JUNIOR AMBASSADOR: Alyssa Hewitt

We’re excited to welcome Alyssa Hewitt, a vibrant 12-year-old from Embro, currently in eighth grade at Zorra Highland Public School. Alyssa brings energy, enthusiasm, and a genuine love of learning to everything she does. She is a dedicated figure skater in both singles and synchro, and also enjoys volleyball, soccer, swimming, track and field, and basketball. Outside of school and sports, Alyssa loves reading, baking, listening to music, and spending time with friends.

2024-2025 Junior Ambassador

Grace McKinlay.

She attends East Oxford Central Public school and hopes to be a veterinarian in the future. After high school Grace would like to get a scholarship to play softball in Oklahoma. In her spare time she likes to play the piano, read, do 4H, play baseball, hockey and basketball. Grace is very involved in her school and the community. She sells pop at the Embro Truck & Tractor pull with 4h and helped lead a station for the primary play date and collects the compost at school. Her favourite things about the Embro fair are making and entering crafts, watching the parade and last year’s book sale.

2024-2025 Senior Ambassador

Natalie Dodd

She is in grade 13 at WCI with plans to go into sports medicine or kinesiology in the future with goals of one day being a sports injury doctor. She currently works at Oxford Milkway cleaning and milks cows for Glenbert Holsteins on the weekends. In her spare time she enjoys reading, listening to music, hanging out with friends, synchonized skating, dragon boating and playing rugby. Natalie is very involved in her community. One of her favourite ways to be involved is by helping to teach children to skate at the arena. Natalie has attended the fair many times growing up; her favourite events were the parade, the children’s play areas, and the sense of community. Natalie is our first second generation ambassador with her mom Kathy Dodd being our 1994 ambassador

2023-2024 Ambassadors

  • Junior Ambassador - Grace Piper

    Our Junior Ambassador is Grace Piper. She is 14 and attends W.C.I. In her spare time, she enjoys; reading, writing, sewing, cooking, baking, playing basketball & soft ball and participating in 4-H and theatre. When the opportunity arises, Grace loves to act and participate in improv theatre classes. In the future Grace would love to go to University and become either a Journalist or Oceanographer. She hopes to continue her participation in theatre and other creative outlets in her community. Grace also loves to volunteer. She has volunteered at clean ups around the community, at the Embro Truck & Tractor pull, at reusapolusa and with 4H and Thistle Theatre. In elementary school she volunteered for the social justice committee, delivered the morning announcements and participated in the forest of reading program. Her favorite part of the Embro Fair is the community wing night and participating in and looking through the homecraft exhibits.

  • Senior Ambassador - Janeen Overdevest

    Janeen has just finished her third year of studies at the University of Guelph working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in accounting. She enjoys getting involved where she can whether at school or at home. At school, Janeen is an active member of the University of Guelph Dairy Science club as well as being a team member for the first time on the 2023-2024 CAMA (Canadian Agri-Marketing Association) team. At home, she tries to find opportunities to volunteer whenever she is available. Recently, she helped with the Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) in Stratford and in the past has helped with decorating Tim Hortons smile cookies with Oxford United way, volunteering at the Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium, and assisting with the renovations of a homeless shelter on Oxford United Way’s Day of caring. This summer Janeen looks forward to beginning her accounting career with a summer position at BDO LLP. She is honoured to be representing the Embro and Zorra Agriculture Society and community and plans to make the most of her year as ambassador!