DJJD Seeking Ambassador Candidates
The Defeat of Jesse James Days is currently accepting applications for Ambassador and Junior Ambassadors to participate in its Candidate Experience program. The Candidate Experience is rewarding for everyone and runs approximately 10 weeks, culminating on the last day of the DJJD festival when a coronation is held. Three equal Ambassadors and two Junior Ambassadors will be selected to be a team throughout the next year visiting many other communities and meeting hundreds of people through parades, coronations and volunteering at other special events. Candidates are offered fun social activities, learn about the Defeat of Jesse James Days history and develop new friendships in a non-competitive environment. The focus is on development of lifelong skills such as public speaking, interviews, poise, building self-confidence, responsibility, and leadership. This is NOT a beauty pageant!
Ambassador candidates must be 16 years of age by July 1st through age 21, live, work, frequently volunteer or worship in Northfield, and have never been married or have children. If selected a $2,500 Scholarship will be awarded at the completion of their year.
Junior Ambassador candidates must be 6-8 years of age by September 10th and attend Northfield Schools, live in Northfield School District, or have parents that live, work, frequently volunteer or worship in Northfield. If selected, $250 will be awarded at the completion of their year.
More information can be found on the Ambassador pages on the www.djjd.org website. For Ambassador questions, please contact Allie Harmer (507) 581-9408. For Junior Ambassador questions, call Mandy Malecha (507) 301-4068.
About the program
The Defeat of Jesse James Days Ambassador Scholarship Program is designed to provide young people an opportunity to learn lifelong skills of public speaking, interviewing, volunteering, networking and learning a lot about Northfield’s favorite celebration! The three ambassadors that are selected spend the entire year making over 90 appearances throughout Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Their “job” consists of 1) promoting and raising awareness about Northfield and DJJD by attending other festivals, coronations and parades, 2) promoting volunteerism at organizations such as Salvation Army, Feed My Starving Children, and Ruth’s House of Hope as well as many local groups such as Laura Baker Services Assn, Three Links Care Center, Give Cancer The Boot, and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, and 3) making valuable networking associations with other communities while developing as leaders that serve as positive role models. At the completion of their year, each will receive a $2,500 scholarship and one will be selected to spend a weekend at St Paul Winter Carnival and then almost a week at Minneapolis Aquatennial vying for a title which is also an educational scholarship opportunity with a deep commitment to community & volunteerism. Last July, 2020-2021 Ambassador Kaia Schomburg was crowned Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes.