M-PHS students named festival royalty
Published on Thu, Mar 26, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Communities
Cheered on by hundreds of friends and family members, the seven candidates for the Strawberry Festival Royal Court demonstrated confidence and poise as they delivered introductory speeches, showcased their talents and answered an impromptu question in the April Friesner Memorial Royalty Scholarship Pageant, held March 14 at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
Master of ceremonies Frank Michal introduced the seven girls to the audience and the pageant judges, all of whom are officials with neighboring Washington festivals. Candidates Samantha Hall, Shelby Hintze, Jessica LaPlante, Erinn McPherson, Azzlin Morales and Rebecca Thomas, escorted by young men in tuxedos, entertained the crowd with a group dance number. The young ladies then took turns on stage to present a short speech tied to this year's festival theme of "Magical Fantasy," and to perform their chosen talent.
As the evening wrapped up, last year's royal court was on hand to pass the torch-and the tiaras--to their successors. Representing Marysville at the 2009 Strawberry Festival, and in various statewide appearances, will be Queen Shelby Hintze and Princesses Rebecca Thomas and Azlinn Morales. Becca and Azlinn will each receive $2,000 scholarships, and Shelby qualifies for a $3,000 scholarship.
11-year-old Sara Clayton was officially inducted as a Junior Royalty representative for the 2009 festival. The sixth grader will have the opportunity to attend some of the summer festivals around the state this summer, accompanying the float and the Royal Court as needed.
The candidates each impressed the audience during the talent portion of the pageant. Showcasing two unique skills, M-PHS junior Becca Thomas played a classical piano piece accompanied by video footage of her performing gymnastics moves. Shelby Hintze, also a junior at M-PHS, sang an a capella version of "Crayola" while friends provided a patty-cake percussion beat. Sami Hall, an accomplished dancer and M-PHS junior, treated the audience to a Russian character dance full of powerful leaps and graceful pirouettes.
Erinn McPherson, a senior at Marysville's Arts and Technology High School, performed a touching monologue about the passion and uncertainty of a first kiss. Lakewood senior Jess LaPlante was accompanied by guitarist Spencer Ludington as she sang "Strawberry Wine." Wrapping up the talent offerings, pianist Azlinn Morales, an M-PHS senior, performed a beautiful rendition of Beethoven's "Für Elise."
Following the candidates' responses to random impromptu questions, the 2008 Strawberry Festival Royal Court and Junior Royalty took the stage. Queen Danielle Wilcoxson and princesses Ché Renouard and Lila Hart were given a warm welcome by the audience. They bestowed sashes, tiaras and flowers on this year's royalty as the announcements were made.
The Bob Klepper Memorial Scholarship, decided by the pageant contestants as a congeniality prize, was awarded jointly to Erinn and Jessica. The scholarship award, named in honor of a longtime festival volunteer, is valued at $250. Shelby Hintze also picked up a $50 prize for selling the most tickets to the pageant event.
Master of ceremonies Frank Michal introduced the seven girls to the audience and the pageant judges, all of whom are officials with neighboring Washington festivals. Candidates Samantha Hall, Shelby Hintze, Jessica LaPlante, Erinn McPherson, Azzlin Morales and Rebecca Thomas, escorted by young men in tuxedos, entertained the crowd with a group dance number. The young ladies then took turns on stage to present a short speech tied to this year's festival theme of "Magical Fantasy," and to perform their chosen talent.
As the evening wrapped up, last year's royal court was on hand to pass the torch-and the tiaras--to their successors. Representing Marysville at the 2009 Strawberry Festival, and in various statewide appearances, will be Queen Shelby Hintze and Princesses Rebecca Thomas and Azlinn Morales. Becca and Azlinn will each receive $2,000 scholarships, and Shelby qualifies for a $3,000 scholarship.
11-year-old Sara Clayton was officially inducted as a Junior Royalty representative for the 2009 festival. The sixth grader will have the opportunity to attend some of the summer festivals around the state this summer, accompanying the float and the Royal Court as needed.
The candidates each impressed the audience during the talent portion of the pageant. Showcasing two unique skills, M-PHS junior Becca Thomas played a classical piano piece accompanied by video footage of her performing gymnastics moves. Shelby Hintze, also a junior at M-PHS, sang an a capella version of "Crayola" while friends provided a patty-cake percussion beat. Sami Hall, an accomplished dancer and M-PHS junior, treated the audience to a Russian character dance full of powerful leaps and graceful pirouettes.
Erinn McPherson, a senior at Marysville's Arts and Technology High School, performed a touching monologue about the passion and uncertainty of a first kiss. Lakewood senior Jess LaPlante was accompanied by guitarist Spencer Ludington as she sang "Strawberry Wine." Wrapping up the talent offerings, pianist Azlinn Morales, an M-PHS senior, performed a beautiful rendition of Beethoven's "Für Elise."
Following the candidates' responses to random impromptu questions, the 2008 Strawberry Festival Royal Court and Junior Royalty took the stage. Queen Danielle Wilcoxson and princesses Ché Renouard and Lila Hart were given a warm welcome by the audience. They bestowed sashes, tiaras and flowers on this year's royalty as the announcements were made.
The Bob Klepper Memorial Scholarship, decided by the pageant contestants as a congeniality prize, was awarded jointly to Erinn and Jessica. The scholarship award, named in honor of a longtime festival volunteer, is valued at $250. Shelby Hintze also picked up a $50 prize for selling the most tickets to the pageant event.
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