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Blossom queen hopeful eyes nursing career
QUEEN--Ambrose-Pic1
Ripon High junior Sarah Ambrose is one of this year’s Almond Blossom Queen hopefuls. - photo by JASON CAMPBELL

FAST FACTS

• WHAT: 48th Almond Blossom Festival kick-off dinner
• WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m.
• WHERE: Ripon Community Center. 334 Fourth St.
• COST: $30 with ticket deadline this Friday
• MORE INFO: Call Ripon chamber at 599-7519

RIPON – Sarah Ambrose had plenty of places to turn to in order to find out what it was like to be a part of the Almond Blossom Queen Court.

With her sister Michelle as a participant last year, Ambrose got a first-hand look at the community function and the activities undertaken during the month-long run.

And with some of her JROTC friends also being past participants – and friend Mary Bell being a past Almond Queen – she quickly realized that it was something she could have fun being a part of as well.

“I thought that it would be a really good experience to have,” said Ambrose – the daughter of Scott and Betty Ambrose and a Ripon High School junior. “I thought it would be something that would be good to put on a college application as well, and at the same time it would  be something that I could have fun doing.”

While the future is still pretty wide open for Ambrose, she harbors ambitions of attending a four-year university and eventually becoming a registered nurse – having the chance to care for people on a daily basis.

And as a longtime Ripon resident, Ambrose has nothing but good memories of the weekend that draws thousands of out-of-town residents to the quiet community for a celebration of all things that are almond – as long as the weather is good.

“I always looked forward to the carnival, and we’d go every year as long as it wasn’t raining,” Ambrose said. “Right now I’m looking forward to being part of the fashion show and the coronation ceremony. This is something I’m really looking forward to being a part of.”