IN CONVERSATION
Meet Lily Eggert, our 2017-2018 Miss Penticton
Lily Eggert, 17, is Queen Valvadette the 70th, Miss Penticton 2017/18. She recently graduated from Pen-Hi and will continue her studies in the fall at the Penticton campus of the Okanagan College.
She spoke with Herald editor James Miller about the experience.
HERALD: How did you become interested in the royalty program?
EGGERT: I became interested in the program because of my friendship with the past royalty, and I attended an informational meeting at Pen-Hi.
HERALD: What were your thoughts when your name was called, Friday night?
EGGERT: It felt surreal, it didn’t feel real until a good friend of mine tackle-hugged me and my crown was knocked off.
HERALD: Who was in your cheering section on Friday night at the Cleland Theatre?
EGGERT: I am so lucky to have had my family and friends rooting for me that night. My grandparents even managed to come from Langley with my mom, so they could be there with my parents and brother. Not to mention my incredibly supportive friends, Heather, Kali, Dustin, Carmen, Kaitlyn, Hope, Nik, and Angela.
HERALD: Did you know the other contestants prior to being involved in the program?
EGGERT: I knew a few of them as friends from Pen-Hi, but I now think of them as close friends.
HERALD: What was your favourite memory from high school?
EGGERT: My favorite memory of high school was meeting my incredible friends, who have supported me throughout the program.
HERALD: Royalty plays a big part in Peachfest each year. What was your favourite moment last weekend?
EGGERT: My favourite part was meeting a little girl at the kiddies day parade who was wearing a princess gown and a sash with “Miss Penticton 2030” on it, and being able to take a picture with her.
HERALD: Looking ahead, what do you anticipate will be the highlight for you over the next 12 months?
EGGERT: Being able to spend more time with Romalee (Stanley) and Makayla (Stasuik), the princesses and visiting and meeting other ambassadors.
HERALD: What are your career ambitions?
EGGERT: I would like to pursue the sciences, but I have yet to decide the specifics.
HERALD: Who was your most influential teacher?
EGGERT: Because I was home schooled for the majority of my life, I would have to say my parents. They always pushed me to do the best work I could, and I can’t thank them enough for that. HERALD: Tell me about your summer job. EGGERT: I have worked at Sirius Science and Nature for almost four years now, and I absolutely love working there. It’s such a fun environment to be in a toy store, but working with my co-workers is what really makes it fun for me.
HERALD: I understand you’re participating for one month with a Rotary exchange to Mexico. How did that come about?
EGGERT: There was an informational meeting at Pen-Hi that I went to with my parents, and I ended up going through the selection process and being chosen to go. HERALD: Do you speak Spanish? EGGERT: Sí, me habló un poco español. I took classes at Pen-Hi in Spanish, but I expect the real experience is going to be a lot different.