Young women in the area are invited to consider a unique opportunity for personal growth, leadership development, and community involvement through the Manitoba Sunflower Festival Queen Quest.
Queen Quest is open to women between the ages of 18 (by Dec. 31 of this year) and 21 who live or have previously lived in Altona or the Municipality of Rhineland
According to one of the organizers, Megan Fehr, the program is designed to help young women build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong connection to their community.
“The feedback we receive most often, both from past royalty and past entrants, is how much the Quest helped improve their self confidence,” she said. “That confidence shows up not only in public settings, but in everyday social situations as well.”
Fehr said the program focuses on well-prepared public speaking opportunities, community appearances, and volunteer involvement, all aimed at encouraging participants to step outside their comfort zones.
“The goal of the Queen Quest is for royalty and entrants alike to develop a deeper understanding of their own capabilities and self-worth, while also building a personal connection to the community,” she said.
The skills gained through the Quest often extend beyond the festival year. Fehr said participants develop leadership, self-awareness, teamwork, and time-management skills, along with qualities such as dedication, kindness, generosity, and social awareness.
“These are skills that support young women in their future goals, whether that’s education, a career, or continued community involvement,” she said. “The Quest is a positive, fun environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration, not competition.”
The Sunflower Festival Queen also takes on an ambassador role, representing Altona at local events and internationally through the community’s sister-city relationship with Emerald, Australia. She receives a sponsored trip to Emerald to attend the Central Highlands Easter Sunflower Festival, where she connects with community representatives and festival royalty.
“In return, our queen helps host the queen from Emerald when she travels to Altona,” Fehr said. “That includes organizing activities and tours for our Australian guests, which provides valuable leadership and organizational experience.”
Queen Quest winners and runners-up also play a mentoring role within the program, supporting new entrants and serving as role models in the community, including by mentoring Gr. 6 students.
“That mentorship component is incredibly meaningful,” said Fehr. “We often hear from our entrants and royalty that they were once part of that program themselves, and were inspired by the women they met.”
Most Quest-related activities take place locally in Altona, with participants getting involved in local fundraisers and community celebrations. The busiest period occurs in the weeks leading up to the festival in July, with the festival week itself filled with appearances and events.
“It’s a wonderful whirlwind of activity,” Fehr said. “But it’s also full of friendship, connection, and pride in the community.”
For more information on the Queen Quest, contact Fehr at 1-204-304-2189 or meganfehr22@gmail.com or Adina Schellenberg at 1-204-362-5776 or curtadina@gmail.com. Interested participants are encourage to connect with them by Jan. 31.
