Ferris’ Meghan Long crowned Lilac Queen
It’s the moments you remember, not the days. That was the premise of the last task the Spokane Lilac Festival candidates performed in their quest for the crown.
Onstage for Sunday night’s coronation at the Bing Crosby Theater, the 14 finalists each gave a two-minute memorized speech about the moments that inspired them in their lives.
When it was her turn, Ferris High School senior Meghan Long, wearing a sparkly pink gown, recalled a rigorous backpacking trip she took with eight friends – a metaphor for working hard to reach a goal.
“Sometimes we will fall, we will get hurt. We may not make it to the summit. … But when we remember the moments, and who is alongside us, they can make any journey, no matter how arduous, worth it,” she said.
The judges named Long, 18, queen of the Spokane Lilac Festival. She is the 12th Ferris High student to wear the crown since 1940.
Last year’s queen, Kaylee Pearson, announced the winner to a burst of cheers and applause.
“This isn’t real,” Long said after the ceremony as friends and loved ones crowded around to take pictures and exchange hugs. “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. Hearing my name, that was the last thing I would have thought. … I’m still in shock.”
High school seniors from around the region competed in events over the past three months, with 14 invited to the final round.
The six princesses named to this year’s court are Maddy Wilhelm, West Valley High School; Chandler Stein, Mead High School; Kendra Kilpatrick, Northwest Christian School; Danica Guerrero, Rogers High School; Jami Pratt, Freeman High School; and Bailyn Piecewicz, Mt. Spokane High School.
“It feels so surreal right now,” said Kilpatrick, 18. “I honestly feel so honored just because all 14 of us girls would have been perfect for this spot. I just feel so blessed they picked me, but so sad to see some of my friends go.”
The “Fab 14,” as the finalists are known, got to know each other well over the last two months, she said.
Long, too, said the hardest part is seeing only half of the group move on.
“We’ll always be with them and we’ll always be united,” she said. “And we can hang out all the time. But tomorrow morning when we wake up and it’s just seven of us, it will be different.”
Each member of the court receives a $1,500 scholarship, and the queen earns an additional $1,500 scholarship.
The court will take part in a series of public events this spring, including the Royal Tea Party at the Davenport Hotel on April 12, the All City Civic Military Luncheon at the Davenport on May 14, and the Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade on May 16.
Long, the daughter of William and BethAnn Long, has a 3.76 GPA and is editor of the Ferris yearbook. She is in the Canterbury Belles Choir, symphonic choir and show choir, played the lead role in her school’s fall musical, “White Christmas,” tutors students and teaches guitar.
She also volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House and Southside Christian Youth Group, and is leader of worship at Summit Youth Group.
Long plans to attend Seattle University, Eastern Washington University or the University of Washington to study psychology and social sciences with the goal of becoming a teacher or counselor.