Friday evening marked the 80th annual Daffodil Festival Queen’s Coronation. This year’s reigning Daffodil Queen, Kenna Erhardt, hails from Rogers High School but 23 other girls complete the 2013 Royal Court.
Princess Taylor Friend attends Bonney Lake High School. When she isn’t busy being a princess, she participates in Panther Club, ASB, Leo’s Club and keeps busy with AP classes.
Though she loves so much about the area, she is most proud of the community’s response during times of need. She said that it’s beautiful to see everyone in Bonney Lake come together.
She adores children and looks forward to being an inspiration for younger girls. During her own childhood, Friend often watched the Daffodil Princesses and dreamt of joining their ranks one day.
“This is a dream come true for me,” she said. “As a little girl, I practiced my princess wave until I perfected it.”
Princess Marissa Gregg attends Sumner High School and works at Happy Pho Time in Bonney Lake. Her spare time is often spent doing cheer and leadership.
As a Daffodil Princess, Gregg encourages others to take risks and always be themselves. The process of becoming a Daffodil Princess has been an awe-inspiring experience for her.
“I’m humbled to call myself an ambassador,” said Gregg. “And I’m honored to represent this community.”
For the second year, White River High School is represented in the Daffodil Festival Royal Court. Princess Jessie Gamble said that school is always her No. 1 priority but she also enjoys fastpitch and standup comedy. She hopes to study political science at the University of Washington.
Gamble appreciates the unique opportunities that come with being a princess. She has met people from all walks of life; from children to city council members and she relishes the diversity.
Gamble credits all of her success and motivation to her parents, Steve and Linda Gamble.
At the coronation ceremony rehearsal, each Daffodillian was bound by a sisterhood of support. Many of the girls held hands and they all had words of encouragement for each other. They reminded one another that no one was being judged and that everyone should have fun.
“I couldn’t be here without the rest of them. We’re sisters and best friends,” the Bonney Lake princess said.
As official ambassadors of Pierce County, the princesses will make public appearances throughout the year.
For a chance to read with them and take photos, come to the Bonney Lake and Sumner libraries on Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m. Princesses will also be in attendance at various other Pierce County libraries the same day.
