The results are in from the Trail Ambassador Programme finale, held Friday night at the Bailey Theatre.
After seven months of preparation, growth, and community engagement, Hayden Leduc and Dean Sutherland were named Trail’s 2025 Ambassadors.
“What a night!” organizers shared via Facebook.
“We are so incredibly proud of our four candidates who have each grown so much in their time in the Trail Ambassador Programme.”
With the pageant now behind them, Trail celebrates a new team of young leaders.
About Hayden Leduc
Sponsored by Trail Firefighters Local 941, 16-year-old Hayden Leduc is a Grade 11 student at J.L. Crowe.
She’s active in the school’s outdoor education program, an experience she calls one of the most meaningful parts of her high school journey.
In her downtime, Hayden finds calm in sewing, baking, journalling, and spending quiet moments at home. Her passion lies in working with children, and she plans to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education after graduation.
She joined the Ambassador Programme to challenge herself and grow her confidence, and through it, discovered the power of stepping outside her comfort zone and surrounding herself with supportive people.
Hayden expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to represent her community and to grow alongside a team of young leaders.
About Dean Sutherland
Dean Sutherland, 17, is also in Grade 11 at J.L. Crowe and is sponsored by The Colombo Lodge.
A future writer, Dean’s interests stretch across literature, travel, music, food, history, philosophy, and gaming, both video and tabletop.
As a child, Dean remembers watching the Silver City Days Parade and seeing the Miss Trail candidates waving from their float. He never thought he’d get to do the same.
But when he learned the programme was open to all genders, the dream became possible. Now, he’s proud to be on that float himself, making a difference for kids who were once just like him.
A milestone year
This year’s programme featured four standout candidates, each bringing unique talents — from singer-songwriter and artist, to athlete and academic.
The Trail Ambassador Programme, open to youth aged 15 to 17, offers months of mentorship in public speaking, resume writing, financial literacy, health, and local history.
It’s a personal development journey that prepares young people to represent Trail with confidence and pride.
The Friday night pageant was the culmination of this journey, showcasing each candidate’s growth through speeches and personal presentations.
Though the programme has long been inclusive, this year marks the first time non-female candidates have stepped forward in Trail.
Organizers Cassidy Favaro and Lauren Shepherd see this as a powerful moment.
“We are excited to be part of this evolution,” they said. “The Ambassador Programme offers something valuable to all youth — it’s about growth, confidence, and community, not appearance.”
As Hayden and Dean begin their ambassador year, they carry forward the values at the heart of the programme: courage, inclusivity, and the desire to give back. Trail is in good hands.
