CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle Hi-Yu’s new Junior Court

(WSB photos. From left, above, 2015 Princess Audrey, 2016 Princesses Stephanie and Ava, 2015 Queen Emily, 2016 Queen Amelia, 2016 Princesses Sara and Cailyn, 2015 Princess Emma)
Tonight’s crowning of the new West Seattle Hi-Yu Community Festival Junior Court and farewell for their predecessors had an extra technological touch:

That’s Senior Court Queen Kelly Crum attending via Skype, on her mom Gloria‘s smartphone. Connected from Spokane, where she’s attending Gonzaga University, Kelly wished the candidates good luck and congratulated the three members of the outgoing court:

The ceremony was the main event for the monthly Hi-Yu meeting at Admiral Congregational Church. It began with goodbyes from Queen Emily Cain, an 11-year-old Shorewood Elementary student, Princess Audrey Kline, a 12-year-old Holy Rosary student, and Princess Emma Maffeo, an 11-year-old Westside School (WSB sponsor) student, who shared their favorite memories. (Emma drew laughter by saying she enjoyed the Seafair Torchlight Parade because “it was really fun riding with the Pirates even if they stole your ice cream.”)

Hi-Yu leaders Jay and Joanne Murray spoke of watching the trio grow from being shy about speaking in front of a room of 15, to talking confidently in front of hundreds, since “it’s a wonderful learning experience.”

Former Junior Court member Isabella Carufel (above) – whose sisters and mom Danette are past Hi-Yu royalty too – emceed. And then it was announced that all five of this year’s candidates were so impressive, the organization decided to expand the Junior Court and have them all reign. Crowned queen was Amelia Kline, a 10-year-old Holy Rosary student. The princesses – 9-year-old Stephanie Moore from Schmitz Park Elementary; 10-year-old Sara Henggeler from Holy Rosary; Gatewood Elementary 4th grader Cailyn White; and Holy Rosary third grader Ava Karman.

You’ll see them at community events throughout the year, particularly in spring and summer, when the Hi-Yu float travels to parades around the region.

2 Replies to "CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle Hi-Yu's new Junior Court"

  • Gloria Teves December 8, 2015 (9:42 am)

    Congratulations to Hi Yu’s 2016 Junior Court! Great group of young ladies! The 2015 Junior Court represented the West Seattle community very well during the last year. In every parade and event Hi Yu participated in, Queen Emily, Princess Emma and Princess Audrey were engaging and energetic representatives of West Seattle. It was a pleasure to spend time with them and see how others responded to the Court and the Hi Yu float. Hi Yu is one of only a handful of local organizations that still produces a float – and we do it all with volunteers! We would love to have you join us as we get ready for next year’s activities: the Daffodil Parade in Puyallup is only 123 days away – on April 9th!

    Senior Court Queen Kelly’s mom – Gloria

  • Joanne Murray December 8, 2015 (11:39 am)

    Thank you for the wonderful coverage of the West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court coronation. We appreciate all of the volunteers that help to keep Hi-Yu alive and thriving. Our new Junior court and their parents are all excited about the upcoming year of activities and parades as well as the fund raising that is necessary to fund the activities, parade float and scholarships. West Seattle Hi-Yu individual memberships are just $20. per fiscal year: Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 of each year. Business memberships and Service Club membership and sponsorships are available. Applications: westseattlehiyu.com
    Hi-Yu is an All Volunteer non-profit 501 C4 organization. Join and help keep the festival active for the next decade.

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