Dr. Universe at the Diamond Anniversary Gala

The Diamond Anniversary Gala acknowledged, thanked, and celebrated all past youth ambassadors for "The Royal City" of New Westminster. The night included a variety of events and activities, such as an alumni champagne reception, a dinner for approximately 150 guests, prizes to be won all night, and of course many photos and dancing, all to commemorate the end of the Hyack Ambassador Program.
The Miss New Westminster pageant had been a Royal City tradition for 75 years. Over time it developed into a youth development and scholarship program, with women mentoring and educating teenaged girls regarding the city's history as well as life skills such as research, public speaking, deportment, etiquette, social and business knowledge. The program mandate was to encourage, educate, and empower young women in New Westminster, and involved a 6-month training and evaluation period before the final competition, at which time the Miss New Westminster queen, the Hyack Princess, and the Royal Court of Hyack Ambassadors were all crowned as "Team Tiara". During their subsequent 1-year reign, they volunteered in various community service initiatives, and took part in festivals and events throughout British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. The ambassador motto was "Serving our Community - Representing our Royal City". I was honoured to be crowned the Hyack Princess in 2010 and partake in this mission, an experience that served as my gateway into the world of pageantry.
The program also fundraised for Cystic Fibrosis Canada for many years. Miss New Westminster 2002, Eva Markvoort, died of cystic fibrosis in 2010 after raising awareness about the condition in her blog, 65_RedRoses, which was adapted into a documentary film about her journey.
For the 75 year anniversary of this distinguished program, the city hosted a Diamond Anniversary Gala, calling upon all Hyack Ambassador Program alumni to watch the last Team Tiara complete their reign. Rather than continuing the program and crowning a new queen, the last Miss New Westminster crowned the earliest Miss New Westminster in attendance, who won her title 10 years after the program started. Miss New Westminster 2023 crowned Miss New Westminster 1958 as Ms. Diamond Alumni, completing the circle while retiring a beautiful youth leadership program during the Diamond Anniversary Gala.
The songs are Bejeweled by Taylor Swift (Minnz Piano version) and Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend by Marilyn Monroe.
The Diamond Anniversary Gala made the news in the New Westminster Record: www.newwestrec...

[@TheFireEmblemManiac]

This looked like such an incredible event you were stunning as always Patricia! 😄💖

[@PatriciaCelan]

Thank you Mason!! 😊

[@devangrace]

What an amazing event!! ❤❤❤

[@PatriciaCelan]

Yes it was! I feel so blessed to have been invited 🥰