Story and photos by Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

There were princesses everywhere, just as would be expected, at last night’s White Rose Ceremony and Reception in Fauntleroy, part of the 75th annual West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival festivities.

Dressed in jewel-hued gowns, dining on cake, the current courts met the new Senior Court candidates and offered them a little entertainment, during a women-only event to celebrate Hi-Yu royalty past and present.

In the crowd were a dozen or more past Hi-Yu royalty, including Pam Storz, a princess in 1978, and Ella (then Vogelpohl) Engelking, who was Miss Congeniality in 1973.

Both women still live in West Seattle. Engelking remembers that in 1973 there were 66 young ladies competing for the 10 princess titles. Eventually 11 were selected, because of a tie. She brought her photo album filled with pictures of bouffant-haired beauties in lime green dresses – here she is, then and now:

Back then, the candidates were competing for titles and community recognition. Now, there are scholarships at stake, and a talent segment has been added to the competition. One of the most famous long-ago Hi-Yu princesses was actress Dyan Cannon (then known as Diane Friesen), who grew up in West Seattle and was a 1955 princess.

There are fewer candidates these days, but they are just as serious. They are sponsored by West Seattle service organizations such as Rotary, Eagles, Lions and American Legion.

The royal candidates spend an intense spring and summer attending parades and festivals, selling tickets to Hi-Yu events and representing West Seattle while visiting other communities’ celebrations. It culminates July 20 with the crowning of the queen and her court (7 pm, West Seattle High School Theater).

In the reception room of Fauntleroy Church last night, princesses spoke of their fondest memories.

Vanessa Radke, part of the 2008 Junior Court, remember she had just had braces put on her teeth as she started her campaign for princess, and she was hesitant to smile. Her pictures show the lively young lady with a serious face.

“I will still always keep them,” she said, smiling and free of braces.

Recent West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty includes 2008 Senior Court Queen Sivona Lingle, 2008 Junior Court Queen Danica Honts Tongol, and princesses India Gants, Ally Warnke, Vanessa Radke, and Leah McFadden.

The 2009 Senior Court includes Queen Margo Femiano:

She has reigned with princesses Katie Tarabochia and Alicia Watanabe. The 2009 Junior Court features Queen Zoe Mahn and princesses Anna Fuller and Elyse Mitchell.

The 2010 candidates are Kelsey Bills, Georgia Mitchell, Veronica Pupava, Julia Hodges, Kelly Nealson and Rosemarie Unite.

The court and the candidates provided entertainment. They sang, danced, and played piano.

Callie McFadden, 6 [above with 2008 Junior Court Princess Vanessa], was soaking it all up, inbetween bites of cake, of course. Someday, she said, she wants to be a princess – just like her sister.
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Girls who will be ages 7-11 by this September still have time to apply for this year’s Junior Court; see this WSB story to find out how, and to download an application.