“Howdy, and welcome to the greatest outdoor show on Earth! I’m Grace Fahlman and I’m live on location at the Calgary Stampede for BMO Kids’ Day. I’m here to tell you about the most exciting thing to do on Stampede Park!”
That was the introduction that paved the way for 10-year-old Cochranite Fahlman to expand upon and write the winning essay for the annual BMO Kids’ Day Junior Reporter Contest in the female division at the Calgary Stampede.
Fahlman, who is entering Grade 6 at Holy Spirit this year, self-describes as “pretty funny” and acknowledges that it was probably the delivery of her essay to the judges up against some 30 competitors that gave her the leg up.
“You can do anything if you put your mind to it,” advises the spunky, outgoing 10-year-old, who found out at the end of June that she was the winner of the annual contest. Her prize? To be the on-scene Stampede reporter for the entire day on July 12, along with the male division winner 13-year-old Matthew Barnett of Calgary.
The pair began their reporting day bright and early – at 6:15 a.m. on the grounds. A whirlwind of interviewing more than 10 people was on the agenda – including Mayor Naheed Nenshi and a 99-year-old veteran volunteer.
Fahlman gave her interview with the two-term Calgary mayor a thumbs up – adding that he was funny and nice and advised her “do not eat the mini donuts before you get on the rides.”
After a full day spent alongside City TV and 660 News, interviewing, flipping pancakes and doing the full tour of the carnival extraordinaire, Fahlman and her co-reporter also made an appearance on Breakfast Television with host Jill Belland.
Edging out the competition, the duo each received a prize package including a $2,500 BMP RESP, $1,500 to their respective schools to go toward school supplies, a $250 Lammle’s Western Wear gift certificate, and some sweet Stampede swag, vouchers and day passes.
It was a nice break for Fahlman, who keeps pretty busy playing softball and any other sport she can fit in.
“I try to do a lot of sports – this was kind of taking a break from that,” she revealed.
“She likes to win,” smiled mom, Tracy Nielsen, adding that her eldest daughter has “a big heart” and is “kind, generous and very responsible.”
As far as the reporting gig itself, Fahlman said she’s a fan and that she would pick feature news reporting if she had the option.
“But I totally don’t want to be a weather reporter,” she emphasized, adding that she thinks her younger sister, Tess, will probably give the competition a try next year and follow in the family’s footsteps – as cousin Tanner Fahlman is also a previous winner.
