Winning Ways Lilac Princesses From The Valley Share A Dedication To Volunteerism
Six of this year’s Lilac Princesses hail from the Spokane Valley. Each of the girls is distinguished by her volunteer efforts.
Public service is one of the qualifications sought by the Lilac Princess Committee, but there is no stipulation on what that service should be. The six princesses each have demonstrated their own unique approach to public service.
Since her middle-school years, Tara Jorgenson of East Valley High School has helped set up for the Special Olympics event at Horizon Junior High. Through the years, she’s kept track of the special athletes, watching them grow and improve year by year.
Northwest Christian’s Angie Wheeler makes the world a little sweeter with song. She and her church group have brought cheer to juvenile offenders, nursing home residents and her own church.
Brianne Adams of University High School has plucked more than her share of frightened toddlers from the lake at Chester Hills Park. Adams is a lifeguard. Her CPR skills and life-saving techniques have kept young swimmers safe for the past three years.
Central Valley High’s Kelli B. Van Matre tutors elementary school children, keeps school spirit flourishing as a cheerleader and is a volunteer blood drive worker.
Tam Nguyen of Gonzaga Prep has helped adults learn to speak, read and write English as a volunteer for an English as a Second Language program. She was amazed and proud that a teenager could have such a positive effect on adults.
West Valley High School’s Malia Holst is a volunteer coordinator for the Special Olympics and a regular face at Shriners Hospital where she has brought cheer to young patients.
That experience has deepened her interest in becoming a medical researcher in hopes of finding a cure for the many diseases afflicting children.
The coronation, the moment 12 Spokane area girls and the schools they represent are waiting for, is this weekend.
The Lilac Queen Coronation will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Shadle Park auditorium. Tickets are $3 at the door. Look inside for more information on all of Spokane’s Lilac princesses.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MEMO: See related story under the headline: 1997 Lilac Festival Princess