RIVER FALLS – Three young women will contend for the River Falls Grand Royal Ambassador title at the coronation Thursday, July 7. The coronation will begin at 7 p.m. at River Falls High School. Tickets are available by visiting the “River Falls Royal Ambassadors” Facebook page.

The Royal Ambassadors mission is to promote community involvement while developing leadership skills and bringing goodwill and the spirit of River Falls to other communities.

This year’s candidates are: Aryanna Lee

Aryanna Lee will be a junior at River Falls High School and is the daughter of Laura Lee. She describes herself as hardworking, confident, and dedicated. Lee’s school activities include marching band and color guard. She has participated in the band and choir’s Acapella group where she choreographed music and formations. Through music she has participated in honors band for three years and the Shell Lake honors band for two years.

In the community, Lee attends the St. Croix Valley Dance Academy. She is on the senior competition dance line and assists in teaching ballet. She has volunteered at the Como Zoo, connecting with other teens through nature walks and teaching teens how to handle animals.

Participating in the Saint Croix County Junior Fairest of the Fair, Lee has shared knowledge about the fair with the public and participated in many parades. As a River Falls Royal Ambassador, Lee would share her concern about underage sub- stance abuse and the affect it has on teens. She would advocate for more opportunities for teens to receive help within their community.

Elena Lester

Elena Lester will be a junior at River Falls High School and is the daughter of Erin Nelson. She describes herself as hard working, caring, and responsible. Lester’s school activities include National Honor Society, band, hockey, and softball. During her freshman year she received an academic letter award.

In the community she has been to state competitions two times, once for U-12 hockey and once for U-14 softball. She has also worked as a lifeguard. Since recently moving to River Falls, Lester has been pursuing volunteer activities available in the community.

As a River Falls Royal Ambassador, Lester is passionate about providing opportunities for youth so that everyone’s voice can be heard. She would advocate for this by encouraging youth to share their information through class projects, school competitions, public forums or by attending conferences on topics of interest. This would provide youth with an opportunity to listen to others and expand their knowledge on the topics that they are passionate about.

Lexi Broten

Lexi Broten will be a senior at River Falls High School and is the daughter of Kristy Broten. She describes herself as eager, patient, and empathetic. Broten’s community activities include volunteering for events at her church, such as being involved in the church’s youth group, teaching Vacation Bible School, singing with the teen praise team and helping with the highway clean-up project.

Additionally, Broten participates in figure skating competition, where she has received three first place medals as part of the River Falls Synchronized Skating Team and the figure skating team in Stillwater, Minn.

As a River Falls Ambassador, Broten is passionate about the need for more parks in our community. While recognizing that River Falls continues to grow and is building more housing units, children need an area outside to play and participate in recreational sports. Additionally, parks will preserve nature and provide beautiful wildlife sighting, flowers, and trees.

Submitted by Janet Landgraf

Aryanna Lee

Elena Lester

Lexi Broten