Miss Auburn and Miss Auburn’s Teen named goodwill ambassadors; pledge community outreach and anti-stigma work

Mayor Nancy Backus presented proclamations on May 19 naming Chandler Gross as Miss Auburn 2025 and Malia Watanabe Collier as Miss Auburn's Teen 2025 and designated both as goodwill ambassadors for the city.

Chandler Gross said she will use the role to focus on mental health education and stigma reduction. "Being named a goodwill ambassador for the city of Auburn is far more than a title," she told the council. "My mission is simple but powerful. I will continue to be a bridge between lived experience and understanding. My commitment is to mental health education, breaking stigma, and to building spaces where every person feels seen and valued."

Malia Watanabe Collier described her community service initiative, "Stories That Heal," which she said uses storytelling and cultural exchange to build empathy. She told the council she plans classroom visits in the Auburn School District and online outreach to highlight personal stories, including those of a friend with type 1 diabetes and her grandfather’s experiences with discrimination. "When we take time to hear someone else's story, we grow in curiosity, empathy, and compassion," she said.

The proclamations encourage the two titleholders to represent Auburn at community events, school visits, fundraisers and parades and to promote volunteerism, scholarship opportunities and leadership development. The council did not attach funding or programmatic requirements to the proclamations during the meeting.