Gilbert Elementary School third-grader Ruby Derwin and her father, T.J., are pleased with her recent experience as an ambassador for Sun-Maid’s Board of Imagination. Ruby and other young ambassadors provided feedback on products and got to travel and meet new people along the way. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

GWINN — For Gilbert Elementary School third-grader Ruby Derwin, being a member of Sun-Maid’s Board of Imagination has been more than taste-testing new types of raisins.

It also was about having a voice, meeting new people and seeing new parts of the country.

Ruby and her father, T.J., recently went to Fresno, California, as part of her board experience.

“It was really fun,” Ruby said. “We went on a lot of planes, and went to see a lot of things.”

Activities included eating at a zoo for dinner, playing with worms and lady bugs, and visiting the Sun-Maid plant.

It also was an all-expenses-paid trip that allowed the current ambassador board, which included Ruby, to meet the new board members.

Ruby, the daughter of T.J. and Sarah Derwin, was honored in a school assembly in October when the raisin company Sun-Maid presented Gilbert Elementary a $5,000 check and a freestanding red locker that will hold a year’s supply of Sun-Maid snacks on behalf of the third-grader.

Ruby, who submitted a video to the company, was selected to its Board of Imagination after Sun-Maid called for nominations across the United States, receiving over 1,300 applications for its first-ever board. After narrowing the number of finalists to 15, a public vote determined the winning six youngsters between the ages of 6 and 12.

According to Sun-Maid, as part of the Board of Imagination, the youngsters worked alongside Sun-Maid executives in a series of board meetings to influence and provide feedback for the company’s snacking innovations while learning about the brand and acting as Sun-Maid ambassadors to their schools.

As is typical of the real business world, many meetings were held virtually.

“We had a lot of Zoom meetings and talked about the things in the future that we were excited to do,” Ruby said.

Undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable parts of being a Board of Imagination member was tasting new varieties of raisins. Ruby said samples, which were sent to her home, included peanut butter and jelly, fruit punch, blue raspberry, peach and apple cinnamon.

One flavor that prompted a change on the board’s recommendation was apple cinnamon.

“We said they used too much cinnamon,” Ruby said.

These kinds of opinions can be helpful considering the varieties were in their early stages of development.

“Some of them were prototype,” T.J. Derwin said. “They didn’t even have packaging yet.”

Ruby said they also tested new products such as a “rainbow unicorn granola bar.”

Perhaps that sort of snack will appeal more to the younger set.

“It had a lot of sprinkles,” Ruby said.

The Gilbert third-grader picked up new culinary and marketing skills in her term as board ambassador.

For instance, she learned how to make raisins and how they’re packaged.

Her social skills probably took on an added dimension too.

“I made a lot of new friends,” said Ruby, who now is pen pals with other ambassadors.

Her dad was pleased with her experiences as well.

“I think it’s great because it showed her, and probably a bunch of other kids, that whenever you use your imagination and you just throw ideas out, there aren’t really bad ideas,” T.J. Derwin said. “They’re all great.”

He also is impressed that adults listened to the youngsters’ ideas on Zoom.

“They would attend those meetings and wouldn’t want to leave, and would be asking questions and engaging,” T.J. Derwin said. “It made the kids feel heard and valued.”

He said Sun-Maid showed an interest in listening to how kids view their products — and the world — and tailoring their approach from what the youngsters were saying.

“I think it probably shows kids that they are valued, and that any of your ideas can lead to big things,” T.J. Derwin said.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.