West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle Hi-Yu celebrates royalty, as new Queen is crowned

A royal night at the West Seattle Hi-Yu gala Friday – from left, new Hi-Yu Queen April Davis, her predecessor Queen Kayli Schulz, and Miss Seafair Veronica Asence, who will crown her successor in July. We photographed them before April’s coronation, so Queen April’s new sash was still waiting:

Also holding court at the gala, from the current Junior Court – from left Princess Emily, Queen Madison, and Princess Winter:

The night also incorporated a fundraising auction and the Hi-Yu White Rose Ceremony for the sisterhood of those who have reigned.

P.S. The next event on the Hi-Yu calendar: The West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club-sponsored kids’ fishing pond, 8 am June 1st at Seacrest.

Will West Seattle Hi-Yu reach its 80th anniversary? Not without you…

“This is the 79th year for West Seattle Hi-Yu and it could be the last.” Those words of warning come from the volunteer leaders who are working hard to keep the Hi-Yu traditions – including the last neighborhood-powered traveling parade float in the entire city of Seattle – going. In addition to financial support – business sponsors and annual program-book advertisers – they need people. Hi-Yu relies on a volunteer board, and wouldn’t have one right now without the parents of current court members stepping in to “do everything to keep it going,” explains Regina Arceo-Schulz. But they need successors, and “we need the community to keep the tradition going. Please help support West Seattle Hi-Yu – attend the event, advertise in the souvenir book, volunteer to decorate the float and shadow the board members.”

Want to find out what that entails? Show up for the general meeting tomorrow night (Monday, May 6), 6:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Church (California/Hanford). And then on Friday night (May 10th), be there for the first big Hi-Yu event of the season:

West Seattle Hi-Yu Annual Gala
Auction, Coronation and White Rose Ceremony
7:00 -10:00 pm
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Life Center
7000 35th Ave SW

Hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar
Tickets are available for $30 per person or $300 for a table of 10

Buy yours from the link on the right side of the Hi-Yu home page at westseattlehiyu.com.

West Seattle Hi-Yu announces 2013 Queen: April Davis

Just announced by West Seattle Hi-Yu: This year’s queen! From Regina Arceo-Schulz:

Congratulations to April Davis, 2013 West Seattle Hi-Yu Queen. She’s a senior at Bishop Blanchet and an alumni of Holy Rosary School. Some of the activities she enjoys are volleyball, dancing, singing, and working with children. Mark your calendar to see her crowned: West Seattle Hi-Yu Coronation and Auction Event, Friday, May 10, at Our Lady of Guadalupe.

P.S. Hi-Yu can always use more volunteer help – details here.

Summer’s in view, and West Seattle Hi-Yu needs you!

As decided in November, starting with the sketch above, “Alki Deep, An Undersea Adventure” is this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival theme. Now that it’s February, summer’s in view – and there are two ways you can help with Hi-Yu this year. From Regina Arceo-Schulz:

West Seattle Hi-Yu is looking for your button design. This year’s theme is Alki Deep, An Undersea Adventure. If your design wins, you’ll be participating in this summer’s American Legion Parade (7/20) with the West Seattle Hi-Yu Court. Please bring your button drawings (2″ diameter) to the General Meeting, Monday night (6:30 PM), February 4th at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Avenue SW. We will make a decision on the winning design later in the week.

Also, we are desperately short of volunteers for this year’s festival! It is time to begin float construction, enlisting business sponsors for the souvenir book , and procuring items for this year’s coronation and auction night. We have a great Junior Court, with their families, and a small group of diehard volunteers, but we will not be able to continue preparation for the Summer Festival, if we don’t have more help. This is a great opportunity to fill some of our dreary winter nights & weekends working with other interesting & fun West Seattlelites. Please check out our website westseattlehiyu.com or our Facebook page if you are able to help.

Soundgarden-autographed guitar raffle to benefit West Seattle Hi-Yu, which has other big news

Next Monday, as part of the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) party for the new Soundgarden album release, a guitar autographed by Soundgarden will be raffled – with ticket sales benefiting the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival. It was explained at this week’s general Hi-Yu meeting that the guitar was donated by the brother of Hi-Yu’s new treasurer, Susan Stanley-Jones. Raffle tickets are only $5, available from Hi-Yu (contact info’s on their website at westseattlehiyu.com) or during the party Monday night at the Feedback. Also keep an eye out for Hi-Yu Junior Court members selling tickets in The Junction this weekend – times TBA.

More big news from Hi-Yu – they have chosen next year’s theme: Alki Deep – An Undersea Adventure. That was one of more than half a dozen theme suggestions at the meeting:

Now that a theme is set, float ideas are next – you’re invited to the December 3rd holiday open house; bring yours, and/or be there to vote. Speaking of the holidays, it’s benefit ornament time:

They have 60 to sell, at $20 each, for starters. P.S. November 30th is the deadline for Senior Court candidates to apply – scholarship money up for grabs! The application is here.

West Seattle Hi-Yu: Float ideas at meeting tonight; scholarship-program applications continue

(WSB photo of Hi-Yu float/royalty in this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade)
Parade lover? Your idea could inspire the next West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival parade float, traveling around the region. The discussion starts tonight at the Hi-Yu meeting – open to anyone, 6:30 pm, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church Hall (California/Spokane, just south of West Seattle High School). Hi-Yu also is taking pre-orders for its trademark benefit Christmas ornaments made from hand-blown glass, $20 each, and till the end of this month, applications will be accepted for the scholarship program choosing a Senior Court for next year. Full details are in our original announcement from last month; here’s the direct link to the application.

Scholarships available! Application time for Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu

Even as winter approaches, it’s time to look ahead to the 2013 West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival, now accepting applications from prospective royalty – with scholarship money up for grabs:

Candidates benefit from our commitment to personal, professional, and academic development. The program offers individual mentoring by a successful businesswoman, cash scholarship awards, community service opportunities, and career preparation sessions in public speaking and presentation.

The Scholarship Program was revised in 2011, shortening the commitment from 2 summers to 1 summer. Judged events and Coronation take place in the Winter and in Spring with the newly crowned court moving right into the Summer festivities. A Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Queen and two Princesses are crowned receiving scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. Additional individual achievement scholarships, such as academic, performance, athletic, or entrepreneurship are typically awarded by community sponsors.

Click to read the rest of Scholarships available! Application time for Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu…

Video: West Seattle Hi-Yu (and more) at Seafair Torchlight Parade 2012

In case you were watching the Seafair Torchlight Parade on TV and missed the West Seattle Hi-Yu float because, we’re told, they went to a commercial break – here you go. This year, they were fairly close to the top of the running order, so it wasn’t even dark yet when Queen Kayli, Junior Queen Thea, and Junior Princesses Elena and Amanda passed by our spot in the photography zone close to the TV cameras and bleachers at Westlake.

West Seattle’s neighbor South Park was represented too:

Ahead – the West Seattleite-led All-City Band, for starters:

Click to read the rest of Video: West Seattle Hi-Yu (and more) at Seafair Torchlight Parade 2012…

West Seattle Hi-Yu: Community breakfast today; Grand Parade views

This morning, 8-11 am, you are invited to come support West Seattle Hi-Yu by joining in the annual Community Breakfast (at the Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 40th SW, suggested donation $6 adults/$3 kids). It’s been a big week for Hi-Yu royalty and volunteers – especially Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade:

This year’s Junior Court – from left, Princess Elena, Queen Thea, and Princess Amanda – and Senior Court Queen Kayli showed off their synchronized moves while riding on the “Secret Garden” 2012 float. Here’s our video:

If we haven’t said this often enough, ours is the last Seattle community to have “its own” float, and Hi-Yu represents West Seattle in parades around the region, from late spring through fall; community support is vital to keeping it going, though – donations and volunteers. Saturday marked James Kline‘s first year in the parade as Hi-Yu president:

Each year, the designers of the official Hi-Yu button – sold at various major summer events around Seattle – get to ride in the parade too, and this year, that happened to be last year’s Junior Court royalty, so they got a parade encore!

Tonight, Hi-Yu’s float and entourage will be part of the Chinatown Seafair Parade; next Saturday night, look for them in the Seafair Torchlight Parade downtown.

ADDED: One more view of Team Hi-Yu on Saturday – courtesy of J.P. Peck at QuickShows.com:

One more reminder that the new Web address for Hi-Yu is westseattlehiyu.com – where you’ll find an updated calendar and the latest Hi-Yu news.

Meet your newly coronated West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court!

2:04 PM: The newly coronated West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court for next year, with the current Junior Court and Senior Queen, from our crew at Hiawatha Community Center.

2:53 PM UPDATE: The new court has three princesses, one more than the current court. Thanks to WSB summer apprentice Callan Carow for gathering the information, working with photographer/co-publisher Patrick Sand. The new court:

Jr. Queen Madison Stanley-Jones — age 10, goes to Our Lady of Guadalupe (interests include music)
Jr. Princess Winter Williams — age 12, goes to Denny International Middle School (interests include underwater robotics)
Jr. Princess Emily Galvin — age 12, goes to Shorewood Christian (interests include art)
Jr. Princess Olivia Efird — age 9, goes to Schmitz Park Elementary (interests include dance)

ADDED 3:59 PM: The clip above includes all 11 candidates.

West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park 2012: A breeze!

That photo sums up the not-completely-summery conditions at Hiawatha on Tuesday night for the annual West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park: Note Hi-Yu president James Kline and Junior Court Princesses Amanda and Elena in long sleeves, while in the background, Hi-Yu past president Tim Winston tends to the festival banner, which had been tousled by the wind. Even Jim Edwards of the featured West Seattle Big Band joked that it felt more like a fall concert. And yet the kids danced on as WSBB performed songs such as “Bye, Bye Blackbird”:

Next up for Hi-Yu: The Junior Court Coronation, also at Hiawatha, at 1 pm this Friday (during the noon-3 pm Kids’ Fun Fest) – then their star turn in the West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday, and the Community Breakfast on Sunday (details in our recent preview). P.S. Reminder that the official Hi-Yu website has a new address – westseattlehiyu.com.

West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival updates: Big week ahead, from concert to breakfast; plus, button-sales success!

As mentioned in our continuous West Seattle Summer Fest coverage, WS Hi-Yu royalty and volunteers were busy at the festival – and you’ll see even more of them in the days ahead. Four big events for West Seattle Hi-Yu in the coming week: First, the Hi-Yu Concert in the Park brings the West Seattle Big Band to Hiawatha’s east lawn (along Walnut, south of Lander) on Tuesday night (July 17th), 7:30 pm – free! On Friday, the West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court for next year will be coronated, also at Hiawatha, during the noon-3 pm Fun Fest – coronation’s at 1 pm. On Saturday, your Hi-Yu float and current royalty will be in the West Seattle Grand Parade (starting around 11 am from California/Lander and headed south). And Hi-Yu president James Kline just confirmed that the Community Breakfast is back on for Sunday (July 22nd) at the Masonic Hall, 4736 40th SW, thanks to volunteers and a donation. Keep up on festival happenings at westseattlehiyu.com.

ADDED 8:14 AM MONDAY: During our weekend Summer Fest coverage, we mentioned the Hi-Yu button sales, including the prizes they gave after spotting random button-wearers at the festival (see one winner in our Saturday afternoon report). The sales were a big success, according to this update received this morning:

West Seattle Hi-Yu would like to thank the West Seattle Community for their fantastic support over the Summer Fest weekend! We sold approximately 400 buttons, 25 totem pole pins and received about $100 in donations. All of these funds go towards the float and our scholarship programs. Queen Kayli gave out 4 cash prizes on Saturday to random supporters wearing their “Hi-Yu Button” during the festival. It was a lot of fun and we hope to do it again next year. We hope everyone enjoyed seeing the float up close.

Button sales will continue this week and during the American Legion Grand Parade on Saturday. Thanks again, West Seattle!

West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival: Get your official booklet!

If you’re going to the Seafair Pirates’ Landing on Alki today, keep an eye out for the distinctive red polo shirts of West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival royalty (like Queen Kayli and Junior Court Princesses Amanda and Elena at right) and volunteers – they’re among the community groups helping out at the big event. Hi-Yu has also just announced that their summer booklet is now available – free! – at local businesses; it’s full of information about the festival, its events, and other West Seattle summer fun. You can also download (or view) it as a PDF – linked from this update on the new Hi-Yu website. You’ll also find copies at West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Among the other Hi-Yu events coming up are the free Concert in the Park (east lawn of Hiawatha with the West Seattle Big Band, 7:30 pm July 17th) and, as noted here last week, the Junior Court Coronation during Hiawatha Fun Fest, 1 pm July 20th (there’s still time for girls to apply to become Hi-Yu royalty – details here).

West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court: Girls 8-12 can become royalty!

(West Seattle Hi-Yu photo from 2011-12 Junior Court coronation)
Girls who will be 8-12 by the start of September are invited to apply right now for this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court coronation – to serve as the Junior Court Queen and Princesses from this fall through next summer, right after the reign of current royalty (above, Princess Elena, Queen Thea, and Princess Amanda). Here’s the announcement we received from Hi-Yu this morning:

The Hi-Yu Summer Festival is in full swing and the float will be in the West Seattle American Legion parade on Saturday, July 21st, 11 am, PLUS traveling to the following communities soon: Burien – July 4th, Chinatown-July 22nd, and Torchlight-July 28th, to name just a few.

Also, it’s that time of year to look for NEW JUNIOR COURT ROYALTY FOR 2013. The current court of royalty will be crowning new girls on Friday, July 20th at the Hiawatha Fun Fest at 1:00 pm.

For an application, click here, print it, fill it out and mail it in BEFORE Tuesday, JULY 17th. ALL INSTRUCTIONS ARE ON THE APPLICATION.

TRY OUT TO BE PART OF HI-YU ROYALTY, HAVE FUN MAKING NEW FRIENDS and PROUDLY REPRESENT YOUR COMMUNITY – WEST SEATTLE!!!

The application form isn’t just an application, but includes lots of information about what’s expected of Hi-Yu Royalty during the year – event appearances and other involvement – as well as Junior Court members’ perks. (Our coverage of last year’s coronation event, with video, is here.)

This year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float debuts – and wins

(Saturday photo courtesy West Seattle Hi-Yu)
The 2012 West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float, with the theme “Secret Garden” (chosen last December, from an idea by Riley Fredericks), has made its debut – and brought home an award. At Saturday’s parade in Marysville, the Hi-Yu float was honored for “Best Floral Display,” as reported on the Hi-Yu website. Its next scheduled parade appearance is in Port Orchard on June 30th; three weeks after that, you’ll get to see it here at home in the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade on July 21st.

West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival announces 2012 White Rose Reception

(Hi-Yu royalty past and then-present at 2011 White Rose reception; photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
The West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival has just announced one of its signature summer events, the White Rose Reception:

The 2012 West Seattle Hi-Yu White Rose Reception will take place from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Fauntleroy Church, UCC, 9140 California Ave SW in West Seattle. This event is for women only and is a celebration of past and present Hi-Yu royalty. Come and share your Hi-Yu memories and learn about this year’s plans for our community festival. Past royalty are encouraged to wear or bring your crowns and memory scrapbooks. Tickets are available at the door for $10 and every ticket comes with two raffle tickets. For more information about Hi-Yu past and present: www.westseattlehiyu.com

West Seattle Hi-Yu: Your 2012 royalty, plus Miss Seafair and a Pirate

(Photo by Gail Ann Photography)
Thanks to Gail Ann Photography in Fauntleroy for sharing this photo from last Sunday’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Tea, which doubled as this year’s Senior Court coronation, as the program is in transition to a new calendar, rather than lumping all events into the summer months. Gail Ann reports:

Kayli Schulz was officially crowned the 2012 Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Queen at the annual Spring Tea and Auction held Sunday at the Hall at Fauntleroy. More than 150 guests were on hand to watch as Miss Seafair Veronica Quintero presented her with her tiara, sash, and flowers. In addition, the fundraiser will help support the West Seattle community float and the scholarship program for young women.

Kayli Schulz will represent our community this spring and summer at events and parades around the Pacific NW. She will also represent us at Seafair’s 2013 Scholarship for Women Program for the title of Miss Seafair.

In the photo Kayli is surrounded by the MC of the tea and auction – Seafair Pirate “The Marquis,” also known as Chuck Marcoullier, and her West Seattle Hi-Yu court – Junior Court Princess Elena Kline; Junior Court Queen Thea Pulido; Miss Seafair, Veronica Quintero; and Junior Court Princess Amanda Elders.

This year’s Hi-Yu theme is “Secret Garden” – the float is scheduled to make its debut in May at the Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival, with the court on board representing West Seattle.

Miss Seafair’s West Seattle weekend: Commodores’ Bowl-A-Thon today, Hi-Yu Spring Tea tomorrow

It’s a West Seattle kind of weekend for Miss Seafair 2011, Veronica Quintero. This morning, we photographed her at West Seattle Bowl with (from left) Paul Davis, Bruce Bentley, and Kathryn Bohot, during the Seattle Seafair Commodores‘ 20th annual Bowl-a-Thon. Tomorrow, she will crown the new West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Senior Court Queen, Kayli Schulz, during the Hi-Yu Spring Tea and Auction 2-4:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Hi-Yu president James Kline notes: “We are planning a great event … catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes. With over 150 items to choose from, auction items range from manicures to a Mexican condo vacation. It will be the perfect opportunity for you and your friends and daughters to enjoy the spectacle of a royal event.” To see if tickets are still available, e-mail info@westseattlehiyu.com.

West Seattle Hi-Yu: Winning pin; looking ahead to Tea time

Summer will be here before you know it, and West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival volunteers/members have a lot to do. Notes from last night’s Hi-Yu membership meeting: This year’s Senior Court Queen Kayli Schulz was on hand in the West Seattle Hi-Yu sash, and is getting closer to receiving her crown. It was announced at the meeting that when she is coronated at the Hi-Yu Spring Tea and Auction on March 18 (2 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy, ticket info here), she will be crowned by the reigning Miss Seafair, Veronica Quintero.

Also shown at last night’s meeting – Diane Szender‘s winning design for the Hi-Yu trading pin – which you can look for at this year’s summer events, since it’s sold to the public as well as provided to royalty to trade with their counterparts from other festivals:

Diane explains that the goal was to incorporate the past pin design (which you can see on the Hi-Yu Facebook page) into the new one. Riley Fredericks also proposed a pin design (she’s behind this year’s float theme too).

Other discussions last night included fundraising logistics. Planning for the Tea is on track with donated auction items, and table captains, though they’d still love to have more donations. Other fundraising strategies are being brainstormed.

And the Hi-Yu Float is still in need of a storage site. Its undercarriage is in Everett at the moment; volunteers are going to help with locations to store supplies and build components, but Hi-Yu still would love to have a space donated where Seattle’s last remaining community-promoting float could be kept for easier access, maintenance, etc.

West Seattle Hi-Yu double bill: Spring Tea and coronation!

(2012 West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty, photographed by WSB in December – Senior Court Queen Kayli, Junior Court Queen Thea and Princesses Elena and Amanda)
New West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival president James Kline has been visiting community groups around West Seattle to get out the word that Hi-Yu is hoping more people than ever will support their work this year, and beyond. Hi-Yu isn’t just a collection of summertime events – it’s also a traveling ambassadorship of sorts that lets the rest of the region know about West Seattle, the last community in the city to have its own traveling float appearing in parades around Western Washington. Here’s one way to support Hi-Yu this year: Buy tickets and/or serve as a table captain for this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Spring Tea – which also will include a coronation, since Hi-Yu has made some calendar changes. Here’s the official announcement

This year’s Spring Tea and Auction will be held on Sunday, March 18th, 2:00-4:30. A rare event this year, the Spring Tea will also feature the official coronation of the West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Queen Kayli Schulz, accompanied by her junior court, Queen Thea Pulido, Princess Amanda Elder, and Princess Elena Kline. We are planning a great event at The Hall at Fauntleroy, catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes. Many wonderful auction items have already been procured that are sure to spark your interest. It will be the perfect opportunity for you and your friends and daughters to enjoy the spectacle of a royal event.

Tickets are now available for purchase. You can buy tickets individually or become a Table Captain and buy a table for 10 to share with your closest friends. For those who have filled tables in the past, thanks so much. Hopefully, you and your friends would love to come again. For those who are new to Hi-Yu, seriously consider becoming a Table Captain and purchasing a table to enjoy as a group. This is an event your friends/daughters will remember for years.

All purchases will be helping support the West Seattle community with family events to include Seattle’s last remaining community float and our scholarship program for women. This year’s theme is “Secret Garden.” You can read more about coming events at www.westseattlehiyu.com or view us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WSHiYu. You will also find a link to buy tickets for the Spring Tea which you can share with your friends.

You have two options for purchasing your Spring Tea tickets, by mail or online. To purchase by mail, send a check for $25 each to West Seattle Hi-Yu, PO Box 16130, Seattle, WA 98116-0130. To purchase online, simply click one of the links below and you will be forwarded to our PayPal account, where you may use a major credit card or your own PayPal account. Online ticket purchases are $26, which covers all credit card transaction fees.

Click here to Purchase Individual Tickets

If you have any questions: (206) 388-8778 or lynaiapulido@gmail.com

West Seattle Hi-Yu picks 2012 float theme: ‘Secret Garden’

For the second consecutive year, Riley Fredericks has the winning idea for the next West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival traveling parade float. Last year, while she was still a reigning Junior Court Princess, Riley’s “Sparkling Seattle” idea won the vote at the December Hi-Yu meeting – and last night, her proposal for the theme “Secret Garden” did the same. That’s Riley above with the concept model she brought to the Hi-Yu meeting/holiday potluck at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church Hall; here’s a closer look at the model:

Other suggestions included “Sunlight Seattle” from current Junior Court Queen Thea, “The West Seattle Beach Party,” “Picnic in the Park,” and “Through the Emerald Looking Glass.” Next step: Riley’s concept will be turned into the official float design, and there’ll be a community-wide button-design contest too. Meantime, Hi-Yu’s new Senior Court royalty joined her Junior Court counterparts (Queen Thea, Princess Elena, Princess Amanda) at the meeting:

Kayli Schulz is a Holy Names student, looking ahead to studying biology in college, and takes lessons at Kathy’s School of Dance in The Junction. Hi-Yu, which has a new president – James Kline – plans more extensive outreach this year to businesses and the rest of the West Seattle community; WS is the last community in the city to have a traveling float, which represents our area all around the region, including the big Seafair Torchlight Parade every summer (by the way, the West Seattle Grand Parade date is set for next year – you’ll see Hi-Yu there too – mark your calendar for July 21, 2012). Hi-Yu’s online presence has changed, too; for now, find them at facebook.com/WSHiYu.

West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Program: It’s time to apply!

(WSB photo from July 2011 West Seattle Hi-Yu Community Breakfast)
Who will succeed Queen Kelsey and Princesses Victoria and Rosemarie? The first milepost on the newly rescheduled road to the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Senior Court selection is here: It’s application time. Hi-Yu members decided back in May (as reported here) to reboot the calendar and reschedule the process, with applications in the fall and coronation in spring. Now the application is ready to go, and most of the process is online – it starts here. Candidates must be high-school seniors or college students who live, work, and/or attend school in West Seattle. New this year: Hi-Yu has two informational sessions planned during the application process, so that prospective candidates can talk with board members and past royalty. Both have Facebook event pages: 2 pm October 2nd at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, and 6:30 pm October 6th at Prudential Northwest Realty. Applications have to be in by November 1st.

Urgent request from West Seattle Hi-Yu: Float needs a home

(“Sparkling Seattle” Hi-Yu float parked alongside Admiral Safeway before West Seattle Grand Parade 7/23/2011)
One of the many unique attributes about our wonderful part of the city is the fact it’s the LAST neighborhood in Seattle with its own traveling parade float. West Seattle Hi-Yu keeps afloat, so to speak, thanks to the hard work of a relatively small group of volunteers, and community support. Today, Hi-Yu has an urgent request for help with something that volunteers can’t just pull out of thin air – someplace to put the float:

West Seattle Hi-Yu has been having an amazing award-winning parade season with our “Sparkling Seattle” parade float and we are very proud that we have been able to represent West Seattle as the last community parade float in Seattle again this year.

All this year, the Bills Family has kindly been parking and storing the float in their yard, Hi-Yu thanks them for graciously providing us with this space. As the parade season draws to a close, it is necessary for us to vacate, and we are again faced with the dilemma of finding a storage location for our float and trailer. To store the float we would require space in the dimensions of 25′ x 10′ and it could be indoor or outdoor. We are pretty desperate, so if you have space, own or work for a company that has a secure parking lot, or know of anyone who may be able to help us, please contact Tim Winston 206-938-2088 as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support and for helping to keep this community tradition going strong!!

Seafair update: West Seattle Hi-Yu rep chosen 2nd princess

First West Seattle update from Seafair Torchlight Parade night: WS Hi-Yu Festival rep Veronica Pupava has just been chosen Second Princess – one of the two princesses who join the new Miss Seafair in reigning over the festival. Veronica gets a $1,000 scholarship from the Seafair Commodores. (WSB photo at right is from Veronica’s appearance at the Junior Court coronation two weeks ago.) The new Miss Seafair is Veronica Quintero, entered in the competition as Miss Hispanic Seafair.) Here’s a coronation photo tweeted by KIRO, which is broadcasting the parade live.

West Seattle Grand Parade 2011, report #4: Hi-Yu represents!

(All WSB parade coverage is archived here, newest to oldest.)

While it’s not the “Hi-Yu Parade” any more, it wouldn’t be the West Seattle Grand Parade without the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float and volunteers. West Seattle is the last neighborhood in the city with a community float, and every year, Hi-Yu chooses a new theme for its float and button (always open to public suggestions, so watch for the announcement here and on the Hi-Yu Facebook page in wintertime!). This year, it’s “Sparkling Seattle.” The current Junior and Senior Courts rode on the float in today’s parade, while the newly coronated Junior Court whose reign starts this fall carried another Hi-Yu banner in the West Seattle Rotary Kiddie Parade:

(From left, the incoming Junior Court’s Princess Elena, Queen Thea, and Princess Amanda.) Along the parade sidelines, HI-Yu volunteers sold buttons as a fundraiser as usual, and Hi-Yu president Tim Winston wanted to share these words of appreciation:

Hi-Yu is very appreciative of all the people who bought Hi-Yu buttons and pins today along the parade route and, for that matter, all the people who purchased buttons and pins earlier in the month at Pirates Landing, Summer Fest, Concert in the Park, etc.. We thank all for their support! Proceeds help both the Scholarship and Float Programs. The Festival does not happen without the support of our community. Thank you so much!

Video: West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park 2011

7:24 PM: If you’re not already among the 100 or so people here – c’mon over to Hiawatha’s east lawn. The West Seattle Big Band is playing what Jim Edwards quipped is the “Hi-Yu FALL Festival Concert in the Park” (added, that’s Jim with the mike in the center background, in the next photo):

And the program so far has included songs evocative of the weather, like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The concert’s scheduled to continue till about 8:30, and we’ve even seen sunbreaks. Bring a blanket to sit on and another one to wrap yourself in, and you’ll be fine (and a dollar for a Hi-Yu fundraising button – the royalty and volunteers are here). We’ll add more photos later as well as video.

ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: A sample of the sounds:

More outdoor music ahead for West Seattle this summer – even if you might need a sweater to enjoy it! – the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association (co-sponsored by WSB) start July 28 (full schedule here), and Friday Night Summer Concerts at the Mount start August 5 (full schedule here). Back to Hi-Yu – cheer the float, royalty, and volunteers in this Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade, 11 am, California SW from Lander to Edmunds.

Free, live music tomorrow! West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park

(WSB photo of the West Seattle Big Band during the 2010 Hi-Yu Concert in the Park)
Might be some clouds, but no rain forecast for tomorrow (Tuesday) night – which is good news for the next big summer event, the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Concert in the Park. You’re invited to the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, 7-8:30 pm tomorrow – bring your own blanket/chair, picnic dinner if you feel like it, and enjoy the West Seattle Big Band (celebrating its 15th anniversary). If you haven’t been there before – Hiawatha’s address is 2700 California SW, just north of West Seattle High School, but the concert area is on the east side, which is bordered by Walnut. (Parking is generally plentiful in the high-school lot, entering from California SW, however.)