Representatives from Kamloops, Cowichan Lake, and Quesnel were crowned the 2010 B.C. Ambassadors Saturday at the Merritt Civic Centre.

Alicia Janzen of Kamloops, Maile-Rae Hamilton of Cowichan Lake, and Sydney Sankey of Quesnel succeeded the 2009 B.C. Ambassadors: Hayley Woodin of White Rock, Anna Dell of Williams Lake, and Miranda Stankiewicz of Vernon.

Ten candidates from around the province competed in Merritt last week for one of three B.C. Ambassador titles.

The competitors included Dennis Hance and Madelynn Albert of Lytton, Cheryl McLeod of Upper Nicola, and Natasha Spahan of Lower Nicola.

To qualify, the candidates earned a previous royal or ambassadorial title in their respective hometowns.

Billed as a coed scholarship program, much of the B.C. Ambassador competition nevertheless carried the hallmarks of a beauty pageant.

The winners received a crown and sash, or banner, declaring them B.C. Ambassadors. All three titles are equal.

As part of the competition, the candidates displayed a talent for judges and dressed in formal wear at the Saturday coronation.

Other portions included a British Columbia knowledge exam, a personal interview with the judges, and a speech about each candidate’s hometown.

Hance, who had previously competed for B.C. Ambassador in 2006, said he decided to challenge himself and try again to see if he had “the skills to do it and you could say the guts to do it.”

“The first time was more of a feeler.”

Asked how his performance this year compared to his last run, Hance said, “I find it’s improved by leaps and bounds.”

For example, Hance chose break dancing as his talent this year as in 2006. However, this year he added another dimension to his routine by dressing up as the puppet from the Saw series of horror movies.

His fellow candidate from Lytton, Albert, said of the performance, “Either you were astounded or a little afraid.

“He was the last one so he wrapped up all of the talents.

“Dennis really brought it together.”

Hance won a $500 bursary for scoring highest in the talent portion of the competition.

“You don’t need a title to receive a bursary for your schooling,” explained Albert.

Candidates received awards for scoring well in the individual parts of the competition as well as fundraising and finding sponsors for the B.C. Ambassadors. The candidates themselves solicit donations and find sponsors for the B.C. Ambassadors. All financial awards must be used to pay for education.

Spahan said that trying out for the program was challenging but also empowering.

“I found it very nerve-wracking but I think it’s a good nervous, healthy.

“It does take work and effort but it all pays off.”

The B.C. Ambassador competitions have been held annually during the summer in Merritt since 2000.

In addition to the smaller bursaries, the candidates who are chosen as B.C. Ambassadors receive a bursary that covers one year’s tuition at a post-secondary institution.