Courting the crown

One of 14 high school girls will be the next Lilac Festival queen.

The girls of the self-proclaimed Fab 14 will vie for the chance to be one of six Lilac princesses or, better yet, Lilac queen. The Lilac Coronation Ceremony will be Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in the Spokane Masonic Center, 1108 W. Riverside Ave.

“They’re starting to get giddy,” said Darla DeCristoforo, the vice president of royalty of the Lilac Festival Association.

Every high school can enter one senior girl, and there are no specifications about how the school chooses her, DeCristoforo said. After the high schools have chosen their representatives, the field is whittled down to 14.

This year’s group includes

Kylie Berger, Gonzaga Prep; Alexandra Cozza, North Central; Sarah Crowley, Lewis and Clark; Kylee Denevan, Shadle Park; Marilis Earle, Central Valley; Leah Horton, Mt. Spokane; Lindsay Jarvis, East Valley; Brajee Jennings, Cheney; Beth Lehinger, Ferris; Alyssa Robinson, Freeman; Karmel Stone, Medical Lake; Jeannette Thompson, West Valley; Kaylee Van Gelder, University; and Tovah Yaron, Contract-Based Education.

By the time of Sunday’s coronation, the girls will have completed 14 weeks of classes centered around the duties of the Lilac Royal Court, including classes in poise, stress management, personal safety, speech and modeling.

“They’re just learning how to be royalty,” DeCristoforo said.

The ceremony is the culmination of three days of public appearances and talking to judges. The girls will speak in front of judges, and the public Friday at the preliminary competition at 7 p.m. in the Spokane Masonic Center. Admission is free.

On Saturday, the girls will have an all-day, one-on-one interview junket with the judges at the DoubleTree Hotel downtown.

The coronation ceremony will feature the return of last year’s Royal Court, along with last year’s queen, Wylie Patton. Tickets are $10.

Until then, it’s anyone’s guess who will walk away with the crown.

“This group?” DeCristoforo wondered. “I will be absolutely delighted no matter what the judges say.”

She said that all 14 of the girls are eager, dedicated and talented, and she doesn’t feel as though there is a frontrunner in the group.

“Nobody has the edge,” she said.

Here are the North Side candidates for the Lilac Royal Court.

Alexandra Cozza

North Central High School

18 years old

Q. Have you always wanted to be a Lilac princess or queen?

A. Yes, I have always wanted to be a Lilac queen/princess. Having lived in Spokane all my life, I have gone to many, many parades, and I have always wanted to be the role model the girls were to me. When the opportunity became available at school, I didn’t hesitate to get involved. Also, when I heard the theme was “Salute to Service,” I knew it would be a great way for me to honor my loved ones currently serving our country.

Q. Where are you planning on attending college?

A. I was recently accepted to Gonzaga University, so I will be going there next year. I plan to major in Spanish and minor in law so that I can become an interpreter for the criminal justice department.

Q. What Spokane public figure would you like to have lunch with?

A. I would love to have lunch with Jeremy Affeldt, the MLB pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. I had the opportunity to hear him speak at my school, and I admire his perseverance and incredible talent. He has given back so much to our community, and I think that he has created a fantastic organization. I would love the opportunity to learn more about it. I would like to have lunch at Aloha Grill, the little Hawaiian restaurant on Monroe. It is about two blocks from NC, and the people are so friendly – they know my order when I call – it’s always the teriyaki chicken rice bowl combo!

Q. What is your favorite thing about being on the court?

A. My favorite thing about being on the court is, without a doubt, getting to meet all the girls who are so genuine, sweet and all around fun. It is great to get to know girls from so many schools and backgrounds. These are truly lifelong friendships, and it has been an invaluable experience.

Kylee Denevan

Shadle Park High School

17

Q. Have you always wanted to be a Lilac princess or queen?

A. Ever since I was a little girl I have attended the Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade. It has been one of my greatest aspirations to be a part of the Spokane Lilac Festival Association. Knowing girls who have previously been on the court and hearing their experiences ensured me that the association was definitely something I want to be a part of.

Q. Where are you planning on attending college?

A. I am planning on attending either the University of Washington or Santa Clara University to study pre-medicine. I plan on being an anesthesiologist or a pharmacist.

Q. What are your hobbies?

A. I enjoy cheerleading, leadership activities, running, skiing, volunteering at City Gate, water sports, counseling at Camp Spalding, cooking, dancing, camping, Young Life, playing Frisbee and salsa dancing.

Q. What Spokane public figure would you like to have lunch with?

A. I would like to have lunch with my principal, Mr. Herb Rotchford. He is an outstanding administrator and encourages me to achieve my goals and reach my full potential. I would enjoy having lunch at Raw Sushi and Island Grill because they have amazing sushi.

Q. What is your favorite thing about being on the court?

A. My favorite thing about being a part of the Fab 14 has been Santa Express. I absolutely loved helping the little kids find the perfect present for their family members.

Kylie Berger

Gonzaga Preparatory School

17

Q. Have you always wanted to be a Lilac princess or queen?

A. I moved from Seattle to Spokane in 2004. Once I moved, I fell in love with the city of Spokane and knew the Spokane Lilac Festival Association would help me get more involved with the Spokane community.

Q. Where are you planning on attending college?

A. I am planning on attending college in Spokane. I have applied to Eastern, Gonzaga U. and Whitworth U.

Q. What are your hobbies?

A. I am involved in many leadership clubs and activities at my school and have participated in three different sports. I love shopping, singing and being with friends and family.

Q. What Spokane public figure would you like to have lunch with?

A. A Spokane public figure I’d like to have lunch with would be Mary Verner, our mayor. She is such a leader and an icon to Spokane and would love to learn something from her. I’d take her to Zip’s to make it comfortable and casual.

Q. What is your favorite thing about being on the court?

A. Being on the Fab 14 has been an amazing experience and a great opportunity. I love being a leader, and being a part of this group has allowed me to be a true role model.

Leah Horton

Mt. Spokane High School

17

Q. Have you always wanted to be a Lilac princess or queen?

A. Well, I haven’t always lived in Spokane, I grew up as a military “brat,” but as long as I have lived in Spokane I have been interested.

Q. Where are you planning on attending college?

A. Eastern Washington University to major in education.

Q. What are your hobbies?

A. I love acting and being a typical girl – hair, make-up, the whole shebang. I’m also involved with ASB, DECA, student store, Washington Drug-free Youth, Link Crew and interclass council at school.

Q. What Spokane public figure would you like to have lunch with?

A. I would love to have lunch with my principal, Mr. Hook, because he is such a fun person to be around. It would not matter where we went to eat.

Q. What is your favorite thing about being on the court?

A. Being with all 13 other amazing girls. I learn so much from being around them, and they are all so amazing.