8 September 2013

MEDIA RELEASE

First Blossom Queen in 40 years “a passionate ambassador”

Vanessa Kirk, 22, is the 2013 Hastings Blossom Queen and received her crown and sash from the reigning queen, Margaret Ross, who took the title 40 years ago.

Ms Kirk, a graduate of EIT’s Tourism and Travel Diploma, works at the Hastings I-site and impressed judges with her confidence, maturity and passion for her city. “She totally sold us on Hastings” was how judges Louise Grey and Anna Jepson described the winner.

Runner up was Mandeep Dadrah, an 18 year old Havelock North High School student of Indian descent, who entered to represent her Guru Ravidas community.

Ms Kirk receives a Great Mystery Break anywhere in New Zealand for two nights supplied by Best Travel. She will also receive hair and makeup treatments ahead of her ride on a blossom float in the parade from Mphosis Hair Studio and Urban Retreat Hastings respectively.

Ms Dadrah received a $150 voucher from Urban Retreat Hastings. She and other contestants will also be paraded on floats on Saturday.

“We were looking for a young woman with confidence, communication skills, poise and personal presentation to be an ambassador for the Hastings District,” says Cynthia Bowers, who helped reinstate the Blossom Queen to the week’s festivities. “Someone to be a role model for other young people; someone to promote civic pride.”

In announcing the winner at a ceremony at the Arts Centre in Hastings today (Sunday 8 September), Mayor Lawrence Yule told the audience that the event “is part of our history and we’re keen to revive it.”

ENDS

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