Tavistock ambassador heads to CNE competition

Brooklyn Ross, Tavistock resident and co-owner of Breaking Elements Dance Company, will represent the Tavistock Agricultural Society at the Canadian National Exhibition Ambassador of the Fairs competition on Aug. 23. Contributed photo

By Amanda Nelson

Brooklyn Ross, Tavistock resident and co-owner of Breaking Elements Dance Company, will head to Toronto this weekend to participate in the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Ambassador of the Fairs competition, being held at Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Aug. 23.

Ross will be representing the Tavistock Agricultural Society, where she has been working as ambassador since last fall. She has continued to represent Tavistock at several events throughout the region, including the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) Convention in February.

Ross says though she did not grow up on a farm, being from the dairy capital of the world, her life in a small town equipped her for her work as ambassador, and she feels ready to compete on the big stage to represent Ontario.

“I've been around agriculture my whole life,” she said. “I don't live on a farm and I didn’t grow up on a farm, but I've experienced and been exposed to it my entire life living in a rural town. I loved going to the fair every year and experiencing agriculture throughout the region.”

Ross also says her work as a dance instructor has given her a unique opportunity to influence and mentor youth within the community as well.

“I know a large portion of youth in the community because I teach a lot of them in dance,” she said. “When they see me out in public, it makes me feel like a celebrity because they all know who I am and are all excited to see me with my crown and my sash. I feel like I have a bigger cheering squad than a lot of people because of all the people I know and all the families in the community that I’m connected to. It's so much fun being able to represent them outside of the town and community.”

The CNE brings in more than 1.4 million people annually and always runs the last week of the summer. This year, the CNE will run from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7.

This year, young representatives from fairs across Ontario will compete to become the CNE’s Ambassador of the Fairs. This year-long title takes the winner across Ontario as a representative of the CNE and all agricultural fairs.

Since its inception in 1971, more than 3,000 young people from 100 communities throughout the province have taken part in this contest.

Alongside her duties as ambassador, Ross said she has attended speaking seminars and leadership workshops that have not only benefited her as ambassador but taught her more about public speaking, media and interacting with like-minded people.

“It's been a great experience,” she said. “You make so many new friends and people who are doing the exact same thing as you for their communities. It’s been a really great way to network with other communities.”

She said she strongly encourages anyone interested in agriculture to compete in their local fairs, and that the ambassador experience was more exciting than she expected.

“I would highly encourage anyone to try it out,” she said. “There’s nothing to lose; it’s a volunteer position, and it’s a great opportunity. It also looks amazing on a resume. You learn so much, and you get to do so many leadership courses. Even for those who don’t win, just the competition portion, there are still so many benefits. You get prizes, you get to meet new friends through Ontario, and it’s good public-speaking experience.”

The winner of the CNE competition will begin new ambassador duties on Aug. 23.