This photo and article were published in the Peak on July 10, 1997.
Rivers of tears were flowing at Evergreen Theatre Saturday night as Powell River's new royalty was crowned.
Miss Texada Island Rachael Sundin is the 1997 Powell River Youth Ambassador. She is joined by first youth ambassador Carleen McDowell, representing First Credit Union, and second youth ambassador Amanda Hollingsworth, representative of the Beach Gardens Resort.
They were chosen by a panel of five judges: Sue Gaudet, Harry Zroback, Leanne Rebantad, Cec Ferguson and Milda Karen-Byng, who had watched them through six months of training and preparation.
Miss Congeniality was The Knack's Stacey Parsons. She was selected by the contestants and Youth Ambassador committee members. Members of the committee, most of them new, were co-chairwomen Krystal Hatch and Nanette Jackson, Amanada Pagani, Cindy Brown, Daniella D'Onofrio and Carol Hamilton.
Months of speech, etiquette, tourism information and dance training ended on pageant night with the presentation of a show entitled Lights! Camera! Action!
During the evening, the contestants were asked impromptu questions by emcee Joyce Carlson. They performed three dance numbers, including a medley from Grease, and presented four different skits, which they scripted themselves.
A total of 15 contestants participated in this year's program, the largest number ever.
