Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the White Rock Youth Ambassadors, a youth program in my community that predates the city of White Rock, British Columbia, itself. Launched in 1952 as the Miss White Rock pageant, a beauty contest, this initiative has evolved into a youth mentorship program benefiting hundreds of young people within the community.
In the midst of the pandemic, the program threatened to shut down right when youth needed it most. Fortunately, new leaders Suzanne Smith and Dionne Archer-Smith revived the program, ensuring that this 73-year-old tradition continues. Today, Miss White Rock Wenshu Ding and her eight fellow young men and women ambassadors are inspiring their generation to lead through volunteerism and a love of community.
I have had the privilege of working alongside these outstanding young leaders in my riding. With a program like White Rock Youth Ambassadors in Canada, the future is optimistic and bright.