The ‘Fabulous 14’

The search for the next Spokane Lilac Festival queen has been narrowed to 14.

The group – dubbed the “Fabulous 14” – was chosen from approximately 200 Spokane County girls who had visions of being the belle of the Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade on May 19. The committee contacted 30 high schools and opened the selection to all senior girls, including those at alternative schools, home-schooled students, and Running Start students with a 3.0 or better grade-point average. Twenty-three schools responded.

On Feb. 11, the 14 finalists will be interviewed by the five-member Spokane Lilac Festival royalty selection committee judges. The interviews will be at the Spokane Masonic Center, 1108 W. Riverside Ave.

The committee will select a queen and six princesses, all of whom will participate in various events, highlighted by the annual parade. This year’s theme is “Here’s to the Heroes.”

The selection process will include a breakfast with the judges and 15-minute private interviews, followed by the coronation.

The queen will be the 62nd in a civic event that was founded in 1938.

The seven members of the royal court each will receive a $1,250 scholarship. The committee is in search of a new scholarship sponsor as the previous sponsor, Northern Quest Casino, announced on Nov. 21 it will not provide the scholarship money. The queen will be awarded an additional $1,300, which is paid through private funds.

Here’s a look at the “Fabulous 14,” in alphabetical order:

•Erika Brathovde, Mead

Activities: Drama, French clubs, Miss Spokane Outstanding Teen Organization, Model United Nations, debate team, Middle Eastern dance

Work: Albertsons, baby sitter, Miss Teen Spokane 2005

College plans: Undecided, with plans to major in international studies

•Kali Clark, Central Valley

Activities: Choir, Key Club, piano and voice, Just4Fun youth group, Chase Youth Award

Work: Pet Veterinarian Hospital and Wellness Center

College plans: Undecided, although she would like to major in nursing

•Brianne Didier, Northwest Christian

Activities: Sunday School teacher, Youth group, INSTE, VBS leader

Work: Roybal Chiropractic, McGlades Market

Post-high school plans: Interface computer school to become a Microsoft Office specialist

•Margeaux Fox, Lewis and Clark

Activities: ballet, piano, Girl Scouts, drama, acolyte, Spokesman-Review student newspaper

Work: Park Bench restaurant

College plans: University of Washington; major is undecided

•Rachel Hart, Shadle Park

Activities: band, percussion, pipe band, Link, vacation Bible school teacher

Crew, cross country, golf, ASB, class president, school senate, church

youth group, Washington Association of Student Councils, Sunday school teacher

Work: nanny, baby sitter

College plans: Seattle Pacific or University of Washington, where she plans to major in medicine or physical therapy

•Alyssa Henke, Gonzaga Prep

Activities: Logan School volunteer, G-Prep food drive, Link Crew, volleyball, cheerleading, Ancilla, Blue Crew Spirit

Work: baby sitting, boat washing

College plans: University of Washington or San Diego to major in neo-natal nursing

•Melissa Johns, West Valley

Activities: orchestra, leadership and drama teams, Spokane Teen Advisory Council, technology/robotics team

Work: West Valley Outdoor Learning Center, Buckle

College plans: Washington State University, to major in civil and

environmental engineering and minor in Spanish

•Kelleene Jolstead, East Valley

Activities: Drama, treble select choir, seminary class president

Work: McDonald’s

College plans: Brigham Young University to major in music

•Kristin Kelly, Mt. Spokane

Work: Commellini’s Italian Restaurant

Activities: VBS, food bank, Sunday School teacher, hippotherapy, Sacred Heart Medical Center mission trip

College plans: Spokane Falls Community College or Spokane Community College to major in early elementary education

•Laura Lorber, Ferris

Activities: Choir, Select Jazz, piano and voice lessons, Link Crew, Box and Hat Players

Work: Cold Stone Creamery

College plans: Western Washington University, where she will major in theater arts

•Tawnee Moss, Rogers

Activities: Choir, youth group, cheerleading, Chase Youth Award, volleyball, Youth Leadership Spokane

Work: Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, Albertsons

College plans: New York University to major in journalism

•Wylie Patton, Freeman

Activities: Volleyball, cheer, Running Start, American Cheer University

Work: Cornerstone Sterling, Teddy Bear Junction, currently the Sourdough Place

College plans: University of Montana, where she plans to major in

broadcast journalism

•Alexandra Stierwalt, North Central

Activities: Volleyball, senior class officer, Youth group international representative, Chase Youth Award

Work: Page for Rep. John Serben, baby sitting

College plans: University of Montana; her major is undecided

•Jasmine Williams, Medical Lake

Activities: Young Life, ASB officer, freshmen mentor, Future Business Leaders of America, dance club,

Work: Medical Lake Pizza

College plans: Spokane Community College or Eastern Washington University to major in dentistry