I’m a third-generation Calgarian and the Stampede is an integral part of my life. I coordinate all the street marshals for the Parade committee. Part of my education with the Parade was going to the entries’ meeting held to introduce the Stampede Parade to new prospective entries.

We were asked to go around and chat with some of the new people and groups. I ended up sitting down with a group from South Korea. They wanted to bring a martial arts group from their country to be in the Parade. What struck me by the end of the conversation was how excited they were to be a part of this. We found a place to fit them in the prelude. The business of bringing people from around the world to the Stampede just made me sit back—I’m a home girl and I grew up with Stampede, but seeing this international aspect of people who want to come here and be a part of it really impressed me.