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.

Now Accepting Applications for the

2025–2026 Embro & Zorra Ambassadors

Looking to build confidence, get involved, and grow your skills?

Whether you are already active in your community or looking for a way to get started, the Embro

& Zorra Ambassador Program is a rewarding opportunity to:

  •  Boost your resume

  •  Practice public speaking

  •  Gain leadership experience

  •  Make new connections

  •  Represent your community

  •  Celebrate agriculture and rural life

This is a meaningful leadership opportunity that helps youth build confidence, develop

communication skills, and connect with the Embro and Zorra community.

Winners receive scholarship money and prizes.

Junior Ambassador

Open to youth in Grades 6–8/9 (approximately ages 11–13)

Participants will:

  •  Create an “All About Me” board

  •  Deliver a 1–2 minute speech on a selected topic

  •  Take part in a live interview using their board

The selected Junior Ambassador will represent the Embro Fair during Fair weekend and

participate in community events throughout the year.

Senior Ambassador

Open to youth ages 17–23 as of August 1, 2025

Participants will:

  •  Deliver a 3-minute prepared speech

  •  Present a 1-minute impromptu speech (drawn the night of the competition)

  •  Take part in a formal interview and on-stage Q&A

The winning Senior Ambassador will represent the Embro & Zorra Agricultural Society at community events and compete at the 2026 CNE Ambassador of the Fairs Competition in Toronto.

Theme for 2025: Pies and Shine – It’s Dessert Time! Let your creativity shine in your board, speeches, and presentation.

Important Dates

  •  CNE Visit: All 2025 contestants will be invited to the Canadian National Exhibition on Sunday, August 17, 2025, to support our current Senior Ambassador, Natalie Dodd.

    Transportation and entry are provided.

  •  Meet & Greet Night: August (date to be announced)

Embro Fair & Ambassador Competition: September 13–14, 2025

Application Deadline: August 1, 2025

Entry Requirements

 Open to all male and female youth in the Embro and Zorra area

 Each contestant must be sponsored by a local business or organization

 A $20 entry fee must be submitted by the sponsor for each contestant

To enter please email katelynmackay25@gmail.com

MEET OUR AMBASSADORS

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!