The 2025 Quesnel Ambassadors Have Been Crowned

Grace Cassidy and Ociah Woodruff have been crowned the 2025 Quesnel Ambassadors.

Cassidy and Woodruff will be the new representatives for Quesnel’s Youth across local and regional events, building new skills in public speaking and leadership while immersed in the countless volunteer opportunities over the next year.

“It feels and is such an honour,” said Ociah Woodruff, after being announced as one of the new Ambassadors.

“I’ve been wanting this for so long, I’ve lived here my whole life, and I love Quesnel from the bottom of my heart.”

Grace Cassidy affirmed her own happiness of being named an Ambassador through some tears of joy, and said how much she enjoyed the Leadership Program.

“I’m so proud of everyone who did the program, and I’m so excited to see what the next year is going to be like.”

The final night of the Quesnel Ambassador Leadership Program (QALP), held at Echen Deni Nen Keyoh Hall, was MC’d by the 2023 Quesnel Ambassadors, Avery Cassidy and Jamie–Lynn Fedoruk. The Awards Ceremony started with a recognition of all the sponsors, and Williams Lacey Real Estate, who helped organize and put on QALP, from the Director, Cara Nault.

The 2025 candidates, Grace Cassidy, Finley Clausen, Dylan Cross, and Ociah Woodruff, performed a dance number after the opening speeches with the now outgoing 2024 Quesnel Ambassadors Lacy MacDonald and Jayla Wheeler, who received an honorarium and good-bye before the 2025 candidates were announced.

Each candidate also reflected on what they learned and overcame during the six-month program. Each one spoke on the bonds made with each other, and how their love for the City and communities has grown. They each thanked their sponsors for supporting their journey through QALP.

After, the candidates were asked their final impromptu question reflecting on their time in the QALP: “What advice would you give to a 10-year-old version of yourself?”

Cassidy’s answer was to push her comfort levels more, and be courageous to go to more community events when if she felt nervous.

“Don’t let other people’s words get to you, and trust in yourself,” was Finley Clausen’s advice to his 10-year-old self. Clausen also said that through QALP, he had gained more confidence through the program.

Dylan Cross advised her former self and all 10-year-olds to “not worry so much” as nothing can be worse than the worse worst case scenario one could envision.

Finally, Ociah Woodruff advised her self to have more self-confidence and to “continue being that inner child you are, and never care what people think.”

After a short intermission for fresh air, and to allow the judges, former winners of QALP, community members, and a representative of the MLA’s office, to adjudicate the answers and decide on the ambassadors, Councillor Laurey–Anne Roodenburg gave a heartfelt speech congratulating the candidates on making it through the program.

Then, through many smiles but also many tears, the 2024 Ambassadors, MacDonald and Wheeler, were given a final special last promenade with a final reflection on their time and friendships through QALP.

Lastly, before the announcement of the new Ambassadors, the Awards were handed out.

Finley Clausen won the Bob Graham and Public Speaking awards. Grace Cassidy won the Most Improved Speech and Friendship awards, and Ociah Woodruff won the Knowledge and Presentation Awards.

Grace Cassidy and Ociah Woodruff were selected as the two new Ambassadors, and are excited for the journey they are embarking on through the community.