What's in a smile? Yang Ying, a 23 year-old "Smile Ambassador"
from Tianjin, knows that a smile involves not only facial
expression, but also language and action.
Yang became a smile ambassador almost by accident. In 2005, when
she was a second-year college student, Yang entered a contest in
Beijing for "smile ambassadors" as the only representative of
Tianjin. Yang was rather busy with schoolwork and school activities
prior to the contest, so she had limited free time to prepare for
the contest.
But her radiant smile won over the judges.
As a smile ambassador, Yang would later attend the commencement
ceremony for Olympic volunteers in Beijing on June 5, 2005. Before
the ceremony, however, Yang attended several intensive days of
training that covered basic ceremonial information and what else,
but how to smile.
"Smiling is a natural thing, but by rehearsal time for the
commencement ceremony, our facial muscles had begun to cramp up,"
says Yang.
For Yang, being a smile ambassador is a full-time job. In the
two years since being given her title, she has become conscious and
cautious of her speech, poise and actions. She won't event cross
the street if the light is red. Yang hopes to set an example by her
actions and encourage other people to come out and volunteer for
the Olympics as well.
(BOCOG October 19, 2007)
