Meet this year’s Lilac Festival “Fab 14”
On Sunday, a new Lilac queen will be crowned.
She and her court of six princesses will represent Spokane at parades and events around the Northwest.
Fourteen girls – known as the Fab 14 – are competing to be members of the Lilac Festival royal court. Sunday at the Bing Crosby Theater, they will be judged on a prepared speech, an onstage question and interviews with five judges.
The Spokesman-Review posed questions to the teens. Here are some of their answers.
Breanna Byrum, 18
Shadle Park High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Either attend Eastern Washington University and earn my bachelor’s in dental hygiene, or attend Whitworth University and be part of their pre-dental program and major in biology.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
My friends and family.
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
Kindness.
Larissa Caldeira, 17
John R. Rogers High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Gonzaga University or Pacific Lutheran University as a pre-medical student.
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one book, movie and CD with you, what would you bring?
I would bring the “Lord of the Rings” soundtrack because it wouldn’t remind me of home as much as a popular artist’s CD would … a tropical survival guide and … “Castaway” so I would feel like someone could relate to the struggles I would be facing on an island.
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
Humility. The queen is responsible for keeping her court on good terms and upholding all that Lilac stands for, but in order to do that, she must be kind, relatable and see everyone, including herself, as equals.
Mandi Edlin, 18
Mead High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Whitworth University or Eastern Washington University
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one book, movie and CD with you, what would you bring?
Book: Any Nicholas Sparks book. Movie: Complete collection of Bear Grylls’ “Man vs.Wild.” CD: The “Shrek 2” soundtrack, the album of my childhood.
If you are chosen as a member of the Royal Court, what activity or event are you most looking forward to?
The entire Spokane Lilac Festival Week, of course!
Rianne Ellingwood, 17
Riverpoint Academy
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Western Washington University … for interdisciplinary studies.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
Dogs are technically not an item, but I can’t live without them, especially my dog, Molly.
If you are chosen as a member of the Royal Court, what activity or event are you most looking forward to?
I am looking forward (to) taking dance lessons with my dad the most.
Shalyn Guegel, 17
Central Valley High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Oregon Culinary Institute.
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one book, movie and CD with you, what would you bring?
I would choose “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Big Hero 6” and “2014 Forest Hills Drive” (by J. Cole).
If you are chosen as a member of the Royal Court, what activity or event are you most looking forward to?
The whole Lilac Festival Week.
CaraLee Howe, 18
Lewis and Clark High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Either Stanford University or the University of Washington.
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one book, movie and CD with you, what would you bring?
I would bring my copy of “The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe,” the movie version of “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” and “Stages” by Josh Groban.
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
Kindness.
Aili Jones, 17
West Valley High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Washington State University.
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one book, movie and CD with you, what would you bring?
The book I would bring is “Lord of the Flies.” For my movie, “Home,” and for my CD, “Trilogy” by The Weeknd.
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
The ability to talk and have a conversation with someone whether they’re 80 years old or 8 years old.
Kristiana Kershaw, 17
Gonzaga Preparatory School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Loyola University in Chicago or the University of Portland. My plan is to start studying nursing in the fall and hopefully specialize in pediatric oncology or neonatal nursing.
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one book, movie and CD with you, what would you bring?
I would bring my Ralph Waldo Emerson essay and poem collection, “Sabrina” with Audrey Hepburn and “Retrospect” by Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan.
If you are chosen as a member of the Royal Court, what activity or event are you most looking forward to?
Read Across America. I have always loved reading and working with kids, so I would really look forward to sharing that love for reading with them.
Christa LaVoie, 18
The Oaks Classical Christian Academy
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Hillsdale College in Michigan to major in sociology and social thought.
What is one item you can’t live without?
I can’t live without people; I am filled by the joy of others.
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
To respect others. If the queen cannot respect and honor others, then she cannot be respected or honored.
Megan Paternoster, 17
Freeman High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Azusa Pacific University and Point Loma Nazarene University are my top two choices. I hope to major in biology and minor in the visual arts.
What is one item you can’t live without?
My pictures and photo albums. I love remembering the important moments in life with a photo.
If you are chosen as a member of the Royal Court, what activity or event are you most looking forward to?
I love giving back to Spokane, and Lilac would present me with wonderful opportunities to serve in our great community.
Gabrielle “Ellie” Reavis, 17
East Valley High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
The Young Americans College of Performing Arts in Corona, California.
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one book, movie and CD with you, what would you bring?
I’d take my favorite coloring book, the “Finding Neverland” soundtrack, and “Mulan.”
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
To be personable, so she can interact confidently with the community as a whole.
Jaedyn Starkey, 17
University High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Eastern Washington University.
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one book, movie and CD with you, what would you bring?
Favorite book: “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.” Favorite movie: “Frozen.” Favorite CD: Adele “25.”
If you are chosen as a member of the Royal Court, what activity or event are you most looking forward to?
The Royal Tea Party.
Annika Tangvald, 18
Joel E. Ferris High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Either University of Portland or Pacific Lutheran University.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
My friends and family. They mean everything to me, and they are always there for me when I need them.
If you are chosen as a member of the Royal Court, what activity or event are you most looking forward to?
Being given the opportunity to help more around my community.
Hannah Workman, 17
Riverside High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
University of Idaho.
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one book, movie and CD with you, what would you bring?
Movie: “Furious 5.” Book: Bible. CD: Skillet’s “Awake and Alive”
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
Compassion.