It was all about the yellow Friday night, as Kenna Erhardt of Rogers High School was crowned the 2013 Daffodil Festival queen.
“I dreamed about it,” she said moments after her coronation. “I can’t believe it’s real.”
The Rogers senior thanked her friends, family and members of the Daffodil Festival, as well as audience members who gathered at Life Center church in Tacoma for the ceremony.
Kenna — short for McKenna — is the daughter of Eric and Holly Erhardt.
“She’s done amazing things in her life,” said her proud dad. “She’s a born leader. They did a good job picking her.”
Kenna’s mom said she had no words to describe how she was feeling.
The Daffodil Queen is selected each year from girls nominated by Pierce County high schools.
Kayla Prewitt of Curtis High School was named both Miss Congeniality and first runner-up. Grace Collins of Fife High School was named 2nd runner-up.
Kenna is a member of her school’s leadership team and a class spirit leader, a two-year soccer captain, Vacation Bible School teacher and hospital volunteer. She wants to be a pediatric nurse.
The festival tradition — and its iconic yellow flower — celebrates youth, service to community and the approach of spring.
This year’s 24 princesses grasped yellow bouquets and wore sweeping yellow evening gowns as they took the stage to deliver one-minute prepared speeches on the festival theme — the magic of music. They also offered impromptu remarks about the magic of the Daffodil Festival.
Some sang their answers; others recited poems. Zoe Mix from Wilson High School wrote and sang an operatic piece on the magic of music theme.
Royal court biographies revealed career ambitions including medicine, education and politics. Cierra McMahon of Emerald Ridge High School wants to participate in the 2016 Olympics as a competitive shooter — one of her many activities, along with knitting and crocheting.
Each princess was escorted onstage by a tuxedoed classmate.
And each princess was supported by family members and friends in the audience.
Even though the Daffodil Festival dates to the 1930s, these 21st century students said the tradition still has meaning for them.
“For a small community like Orting, it’s a big deal for someone to represent our school,” said Amy Parkhurst, a senior from Orting High School who came to support her good friend Princess Kayla Williams.
The Daffodil Festival queen will preside over the April 13 Grand Floral Parade, which commences in downtown Tacoma, then travels to Puyallup, Sumner and Orting.
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