PORT TOWNSEND — The six candidates for the 2015 Rhododendron Festival’s royal court have been announced, beginning the celebration of the event’s 80th anniversary.
The announcement Sunday kicked off a schedule for the candidates to appear at six public events before the March 14 coronation ceremony, at which time the six will be whittled down to a queen and two princesses.
The queen will receive a $1,500 scholarship and the princesses will each get $1,000.
The event shifts into high gear in the week before its culminating event, the Grand Parade on May 16.
Each parade has a theme, and this year it is “80 Years and Still Blooming.”
“I do this every year, and the joke is that my blood runs pink,” said Christy Spencer, who was a princess in 1987 and has worked on the event every year.
“But this means so much to me, and I look forward to all of the events.”
Along with the Grand Parade, Rhody Week includes the Dude Looks Like a Lady cross-dressing fundraiser, the pet parade, the kiddie parade, the bed races and, since 2013, the Cake Picnic.
A new event this year is a kick-off dinner March 28 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, at a time yet to be determined.
All six of those applying as royalty were accepted, Spencer said.
Spencer called this year’s royalty “a great group” with the added bonus that they are all juniors and will remain in the area until the 2016 parade, allowing them to participate in events leading up to that event.
This year’s contestants
■ Morgan Chaffee, 17, is involved in football and basketball cheering, is Associated Student Body class secretary and was involved in an anti-bullying campaign in 2012.
Her community activities include coaching at Twisters Gymnastics, Relay for Life and serving as a page at the Capitol in Olympia in 2012.
She plans to attend college and become a physical therapist.
■ Deidra Morris, 16, is a member of varsity cheering, National Honor Society, WE Act Club and Future Farmers of America; and is also student body president and a Cispus Learning Center counselor.
She plans to attend Washington State University as a communications major in the hopes of becoming a sports broadcaster.
■ Lillian Kelly, 17, is a member of varsity cheering for both football and basketball, plays golf and serves at Senior Presentation nights.
Her community activities include Centrum Gala, Cake Walk, Port Townsend Food Bank Senior Day and Superintendent Dinner.
She plans to become a physician’s assistant in pediatric oncology.
■ Krissy Schmucker, 17, is involved in Java 101 at school as well as many community activities, including volunteering at the Port Townsend Food Bank, Christmas for Kids and Kiwanis Foster Care Christmas program.
She plans to earn a degree in linguistics with a bachelor’s degree in American sign language.
■ Paula Sexton, 16, is involved in drama and is currently fundraising for a drama trip this summer to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Ore.
Her community activities include serving Thanksgiving dinners at a local church.
Her future plan is to become an actress and work for the Disney Corp.
■ Sam Smith, 17, is involved in Knowledge Bowl as well as many community activities, including 4-H Cat, local 4-H Leadership and Know Your Government, and she is a member of 4-H State Advisory Board.
She hopes to become a nurse midwife and use her training to help women in impoverished countries.
Aside from Morris, who attends Chimacum High School, all attend Port Townsend High School.
For more information, visit www.rhodyfestival.org or phone 360-774-0882.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
