Spokane Lilac Festival candidates. Back row, from left: Katherine Verkovod, Cheney; Amanda Cash, Lewis and Clark. Front row, from left: Samantha Williams, Medical Lake, Chloe Dugger, Ferris. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Since 1938, accomplished young women from throughout Spokane County have been selected to serve as princesses or queen of the Spokane Lilac Festival. This year, 14 high school girls have been chosen to compete for the crowns Sunday.
The Fab 14, as they are called, have been attending classes to learn table etiquette, self-defense, makeup tips, modeling, stress management and conflict resolution.
The self-defense class included lessons in the Kubotan, a stick about s6 inches long attached to their key rings.
“I really liked self-defense,” said Chloe Dugger, a candidate from Ferris High School.
Members of last year’s Lilac Court held a dinner for the candidates and served them hard-to-eat food to test their table etiquette.
They ate spaghetti, an iceberg lettuce wedge salad with cherry tomatoes and bread.
“We had to take really, really small bites,” Dugger said.
They have become friends – 14 girls who may not have met if not for being part of the Fab 14.
In fact, it will be hard for them to say goodbye to the seven “Spring Free” girls – those who aren’t appointed to the Lilac Court – after the coronation ceremony.
“Definitely, that’s bittersweet,” said Sydne Alegria, of North Central.
“They take a lot away with them, too,” chaperone Gloria Fox said of the Spring Free group. “Sometimes they come back and speak to the girls.”
Along with the classes, the girls are spending time volunteering at various community events. They helped at the Santa Express, First Night and at Toys for Tots in Coeur d’Alene.
“This is the finest organization I’ve been through,” Samantha Williams of Medical Lake said.
Candidates that make up the 2011 Fab 14 are Kaysha Lybecker, Rogers; MacKenzie Johnson, Mead; Courtney Vander Linden, Mt. Spokane; Rayanne Shears, Shadle Park; Sydne Alegria, North Central; Chloe Dugger, Ferris; Amanda Cash, Lewis and Clark; Katherine Verkovod, Cheney; Samantha Williams, Medical Lake; Brianna Bogart, Valley Christian, Kaleigh Fox, Central Valley; Porscha Smith, University; Katie Mandler, Gonzaga Prep; Christa Gentili; The Oaks.
Amanda Cash
Lewis and Clark, 17 years old
Q: Have you always wanted to be a Lilac princess or queen?
A: Yes. My excitement for Lilac started when my mother took me to my first Lilac Parade at 6 years old. Since then, I knew I wanted to be the beautiful girl on a float. Now I’ve grown up, I want to be a role model for other young girls like me.
Q: Where are you planning to attend college?
A: Xavier University of Louisiana.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I participate in many activities in the city through volunteerism and sporting events offered throughout the year. I am my most content improving the lives of people around me.
Q: What Spokane public figure would you like to have lunch with? Why? Where?
A: Anne Kirkpatrick. I would love to have lunch with her to learn more about her job responsibilities as the chief of police. I would also love to talk to her about her experience of working in a male-dominated career field. I would love to go to the Old Spaghetti Factory with her because that is one of my favorite restaurants in Spokane.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being on the Fab 14?
A: I love all the trainings and ladylike things we are learning and getting to take part in. I am a girly girl at heart.
Chloe Dugger
Ferris, 18 years old
Q: Have you always wanted to be a Lilac princess or queen?
A: Yes. Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to grow up and be a role model to younger children.
Q: Where are you planning to attend college?
A: I plan to attend Washington State University next year.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love being with my friends and family watching movies, and I spend most of my time dancing.
Q: What public figure would you like to have lunch with? Why? Where?
A: I would love to have lunch with Cathy McMorris Rodgers. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her twice. She is a remarkable woman with an interesting story. I would eat at Clinkerdaggers. What a wonderful view of Spokane!
Q: What is your favorite thing about being on the Fab 14?
A: My favorite part of the Fab 14 experience are all the trainings we’ve gone through. I know I’ll use the information all throughout my life.
Katherine Verkovod
Cheney, 17 years old
Q: Have you always wanted to be a Lilac princess or queen?
A: Since I was a little girl, I always sat on the curbs of downtown Spokane and watched every float go by. Every year my desire to be on the Lilac Royal Court became stronger. Now that I am on the Fab 14, I’m excited to see what awaits ahead.
Q: Where are you planning on attending college?
A: I am planning on going to Eastern Washington University and majoring in education so I could go back to my country (Kyrgyzstan) and teach English as a second language.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I enjoy the outdoors and learning new things. Many people could find me running, long boarding, rock climbing, reading and volunteering.
Q: What Spokane public figure would you like to have lunch with? Why? Where?
A: Honestly, I think it would be fun to have lunch with any Spokane public figure. It would be interesting to see who they really are and what they like to do, because I know that they have a life other than work. A small restaurant that no one really knows about would be a place where I would like to have lunch with them.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being on the Fab 14?
A: My favorite thing about being on the court is learning how to be a ladylike girl. I am the last person who would go to a tea party, but Lilac has helped me step out of what I feel comfortable with and try new things that will later on help me in life.
Samantha Williams
Medical Lake, 17 years old
Q: Have you always wanted to be a Lilac princess or queen?
A: Yes, I remember back when I was just a little girl sitting with my family watching the Lilac princesses and queen go by waving on their float. Every year I told my grandma that I wanted to be a beautiful parade princess or queen just like them someday. However, running for a spot on the court really sparked my interest my sophomore and junior years, when I watched two of my mentors become Lilac princesses.
Q: Where are you planning to attend college?
A: Spokane is close to my heart, so I am planning to stay here and attend college at either Gonzaga University or Whitworth University. I am looking to get my business degree and my MBA from either of those colleges.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: My hobbies include participating in cheerleading, cross country, softball, horseback riding, FFA, ASB and other extracurricular activities, as well as helping out and donating my time to my community and having quality time with my family and friends. One of my main passions is educating people about the agriculture industry. Our beautiful city was built (from) agriculture, and I hold that close to my heart. I also strive to help and stop teen suicide and depression.
Q: What Spokane public figure would you like to have lunch with? Why? Where?
A: If I had the chance to have lunch with a Spokane public figure, I would choose Mark Few, not because he coaches such a prestigious basketball team, but rather to talk to him about how he inspires young adults to give all their effort, follow their dreams and to most of all, give back to their community. I would invite him out to my house where my mom and I could cook him our homegrown steaks, potatoes and homemade apple pie.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being on the Fab 14?
A: My favorite thing about being on the Fab 14 is forming friendships with the other Fab 14 girls and getting to know all the wonderful people around the Spokane area. I love being able to proudly represent our community and want to be able to promote Spokane to others.
