Nine youth ready to compete in festival competition
With the Manitoba Sunflower Festival just months away, Queen Quest coordinator Adina Schellenberg is busier than ever making sure everything falls into place for this cherished Altona tradition.
This year, nine excited entrants are gearing up for the competition, embracing the opportunity to grow in confidence, learn new skills, and represent their community. Their names will be announced closer to the festival.
“Right now, we’re in the middle of securing sponsors,” Schellenberg shares. “I like for the contestants to connect with their sponsors, so we’re planning a meeting in March to finalize all the paperwork.”
The contestants are also preparing for various aspects of the competition, including dance instruction and the mentorship program, which has been restructured in recent years to encourage group bonding.
“We’ve invited all Grade 6 girls in the area to participate in our mentorship program,” says Schellenberg. “We used to do one-on-one mentoring, but last year we shifted to group activities, and it was such a success. The girls had the chance to mix and mingle with everyone, and we saw how much they enjoyed it.”
Another exciting highlight of Queen Quest is the international connection between Altona and its sister city, Emerald, Australia. The reigning Queen Quest royalty will be heading to Emerald on April 9 to take part in their Sunflower Festival, further strengthening the bond between the two communities.
Back home, preparations continue for Altona’s festival in July.
“We’ve already scheduled speech prep sessions, and now we’re working on securing three judges,” Schellenberg says. “In the past, we’ve reached out to former royalty who have moved away, as they often have great recommendations. This year, we’re considering having two past queens as judges, along with another outside perspective. We’ll see how it unfolds.”
Schellenberg would like to see the bake sale make a return to Queen Quest this year.
“It was such a wonderful way for the community to connect with the entrants last year,” she says. “Watching mothers and grandmothers who had participated in the Quest themselves come out to support the new contestants was truly special. We want to continue to encourage those connections.”
Schellenberg has a long history with the Queen Quest, having first participated as a contestant herself in 1986. She served as an assistant the following year and then as coordinator from 1988 to 1995, returning in 2018 to lead the program once again.
“Except for the year my own daughter competed, I’ve been involved in some capacity,” she reflects. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s so worth it.”
She says being involved with the program has been a big highlight in her life.
“This experience helped shape me into who I am today. It brought me out of my shell and gave me the confidence I needed. Now, I get to witness that same transformation in the contestants. Watching them bloom over the months leading up to the festival is incredible.”
For Schellenberg, Queen Quest is about far more than just a competition—it’s about personal growth.
“This is a positive experience for everyone involved. The girls learn public speaking, gain confidence, and perform in a fashion show in front of a large audience. It takes a lot of courage, and that’s why we’re so careful with choreography and speech prep. We do everything we can to make sure the girls feel confident and proud of themselves.”
With preparations in full swing, Schellenberg is also looking to expand Queen Quest’s presence on social media.
“We want the community to get to know the girls before the festival, and we also want younger girls to see how much fun they can have in the mentorship program. We hope it inspires them to participate when they’re old enough.”
