By reporter Steven Smalley
Holding the banner leading the next SeaFair Parade, and its newest International Ambassador, is Magnolia?s Eddie Guinasso, the son of Magnolia Village businessman, Ed Guinasso of Magnolia Tech Outlet. A junior at O?Dea High School, Eddie is one of only eight ambassadors whose winnings include a $1000 college scholarship and a trip to Kobe, Japan. The selection process included a written essay, followed by an interview with a five-person panel, on which Eddie believed he performed poorly. Well enough to prevail, it seems. On winning his post, which includes lunch with the Blue Angels, Eddie said he was, ?Excited. Looking forward to it. Should be a lot of fun. I haven?t been anywhere on that side of the world.? Proud papa, Ed was a little surprised his namesake won. ?I didn’t think he did that well in the interview. He was stumped on one or two of the questions,? Ed confessed. Eddie Guinasso won a previous essay contest which garnered him the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington, DC. Responsibilities of the SeaFair International Ambassador requires his family to host a Japanese student here, then the family of the Japanese student reciprocates in Kobe. Eddie goes to Japan in November.