Make no mistake about it. It’s a shame that the Princeton Ambassador Program, which has enjoyed a 51 year run in the community, is on the brink of folding.
For a second consecutive season the program will not take place, due to lack of interest. Organizer Lori Thomas told The Spotlight if there is not enough participation in 2019, it will be time to turn out the lights.
That sense of regret comes out of longing for tradition, the memories shared by past ambassadors, and the loss of the key roll participants have always played in local events throughout the year.
There is also sincere respect due to the talents, qualities and interests the program has developed in ambassador contestants throughout the decades.
Public speaking, personal presentation, etiquette.
These are skills that young people need now more than ever.
Colleges and private companies have resorted to offering courses in “adulting,” for millenials who never learned how to take a phone message or which fork to save for dessert.
All that said, it is also understandable why an ambassador-type program might just have too much in common with the drive in movie - a good idea whose time has past.
Related: Princeton ambassador program cancelled for second year
The Princeton Ambassador Program is categorically not a beauty pageant, but unfortunately there are similarities that make some uncomfortable.
Well, there’s a lot of hair and taffeta, for one thing.
There are ball gowns, and crowns. While the focus of the program is personal development, there is also a pageant-style finale - called a coronation - that has contestants answering questions on stage and judges sitting behind a table.
Young men have been allowed to compete since 1995, and there have even been some here.
But overall – even in a society that is taking unprecedented looks into what gender means, and what expectations come with a chromosomal makeup – sashes and bouquets of flowers are not something generally associated with the male coming of age experience.
There is likely more at play.
This generation of would-be ambassadors has grown up with American Idol, and Dancing with the Stars.
There are so many pursuits and distractions, far less worthy than the Toast Masters training available to ambassador contestants, but just more sexy.
Way more cool.
If Princeton has indeed crowned its last ambassador, it can only be hoped that the energies and time put into making this program a success for so many years can be redirected in ways to be relevant to youth in 2018.
Maybe there is a need or a market for smaller, less public, enrichment opportunities.
Pick creative writing, advocacy, technology, volunteerism. Nurture these interests in young people with more guts and less glitter.
Just a thought. -AD
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