The Rodney Fair is a source of cherished memories for many members of our community including me, as well as a way to show our respect and appreciation for the hard work of our abundant local farmers. I am so grateful to be able to represent our local fair as the 2024-2025 Rodney Fair Ambassador.
My inspiration for entering the Fair Ambassador competition comes from my aunt who was the Rodney Fair Ambassador in 1993 as well as community members who attend aquafit lessons that I teach at the local Rodney Pool. They encouraged me to give it a try in spite of my slight stage fright and by stepping outside my comfort zone I have earned an extremely rewarding experience that has made me more confident in myself. My family, especially my grandparents, gave me an interest in, and respect for agriculture as generational farmers. Growing up visiting the farm and helping in the summer to pick sweet corn sold at the roadside are memories that I will hold onto forever. These memories and the respect that I have gained throughout my life for farmers are more reasons that the celebration of our local agriculture at the fall fair is immensely important to me.
Being a part of a small community is such an enriching experience, you more clearly get to see the goodness that human beings are capable of. I have seen our community come together to support families in need, accomplish seemingly impossible feats for our small population, and go above and beyond to give our local youth enjoyable experiences and every opportunity to succeed. It has been so rewarding to get to know my community more deeply by being a part of the fair and working with such great people from the Rodney Aldborough Agricultural Society. I am looking forward to any opportunities that present themselves before I sadly must pass on my sash to the next Ambassador, including the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.
I have always aspired to someday work with youth, to have a positive impact on them as so many of the staff at our local schools had on me. The teachers at our small schools go above and beyond for their students every day and are simply an inspiration. I hope to one day join one of our local schools’ staff and attempt to be as wonderful as they are. To achieve this goal I am currently attending Western University for a degree in English as well as a minor in Biology with the intent to attend teachers college afterwards. I am also currently involved in our community as the supervisor at the Rodney pool during the summer, teaching swimming lessons and keeping kids safe, and at the Aldborough child care center. I have recently joined the West Lorne Optimist Club and will be volunteering at multiple upcoming events.
I am so grateful to have had this amazing opportunity to become more involved in my community and represent it at the CNE. Although sad, I am proud to pass this honour on to the person who will represent our town this year and wish the contestants the best of luck.Lily Kalita
2024 Rodney Fair Ambassador
