BLOG: A Past Eagan Funfest Ambassador's Reflections

I am very grateful for the opportunity to share with you my excitement and passion for the newly revamped Eagan Funfest Ambassador Program and want to particularly thank the extremely generous individuals at Eagan Patch who have given our ambassadors the chance to share their experiences with all of you. 

For all the years it has been present, there are plenty of community members who have yet to hear about the Eagan Funfest Ambassador Program. Even those familiar with our spectacular, annual Eagan Funfest and all of its festivities, are not sure what the affiliated Ambassador Program does. I have to admit that I don’t mind the opportunities this gives me to share with others my excitement for a program that gives such unique experiences to young men and women.

The focus of the Eagan Funfest Ambassador Program is to empower Eagan’s youth to give back to others and share with neighboring cities their love of the Eagan community. Perhaps most importantly, however, it encourages personal growth in confidence and generosity. The Ambassador family grows closer as together they give back to their community and put themselves in new situations. An Ambassador is a leader and role model, and I am never failed to be impressed by the number of young men and women who can become leaders when simply given the opportunity.

While the program has been recently revamped, the core values and lasting effect it has on the individuals who participate has remained unchanged. As an Ambassador in 2006-2007 I can still find daily the positive effects being an Ambassador had on me. My memories of the inspiring people I met who had a passion for their community and for sharing that passion with others has made a great impression. I find fellow ambassadors with every new step in my life, the network is always expanding, and each time I’m impressed at the strength of the connections between representatives across communities simply from common experiences.

Perhaps the most lasting impression being an Ambassador had was my current approach to new experiences and situations. Before my year as a representative, unfamiliar situations always made me very timid and shy. I was not confident in stepping into leadership roles, especially in an unfamiliar situation. Being the oldest ambassador of the group, however, I saw the impact I could have on the younger representatives. Seeing their excitement and desire to try something new gave me the courage and motivation to step forward and believe in myself.  Throughout the year, this only became easier, and now, when I find myself in an unfamiliar situation, interviews or beginning a career, I may still be nervous, but I never let this hold me back from experiencing something exciting and new. I have the confidence to take advantage of the opportunity and keep nerves from getting in the way of doing my best.

Now, as a committee member, I help ensure the Eagan Funfest Ambassador Program continues to give young men and women this chance to grow and succeed. I’m particularly excited for the new opportunity the Ambassadors have to blog about their experiences and share personal reflections throughout their year. While it gives community members a chance to learn more about the Ambassador Program, it just as importantly gives the ambassador a chance to reflect on what they have seen or learned, what events stood out for them, and the lasting effect of the relationships they’ve formed.

I encourage everyone to check in and read the Ambassador blog posts! Our current Eagan Funfest Ambassadors are intelligent and energetic youth with a clearly deep appreciation for every opportunity this year will offer them. They are excited to share their thoughts and experiences with the rest of the Eagan community and appreciate all your support!

If you want to learn more about the Eagan Funfest Ambassador Program, check out the website at www.eaganfunfest.org/Ambassador or email EaganAmbassador@gmail.com with any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Lauren Graff
Eagan Ambassador 2006-2007
Eagan Funfest Ambassador Committee Member