But first, a video flashback:

Last July, WSB was at Grace Church to capture that moment on video when Margo Femiano was announced as Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival for 2008-2009. With less than three months remaining now till Queen Margo’s successor is coronated, it’s time to introduce you to the six candidates in this year’s scholarship competition: Two Chief Sealth High School students, two Holy Names Academy students, one John F. Kennedy High School student and one Mount Rainier High School student. Read on to see their photos and brief bios, shared by Hi-Yu pageant coordinator Shirley Enebrad:

Kelsey Bills is currently a senior at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School and will attend University of Puget Sound next fall. She is very family-oriented. She has traveled extensively and gained perspective into the lifestyles of other cultures, and also made many friendships. Kelsey enjoys athletics, most significantly softball at Kennedy. Her other passion is music, where she participates in a variety of school bands. Kelsey looks forward to continuing music throughout college.

Julia Hodges is a senior at Chief Sealth High School. She will be attending the University of Washington at the Bothell campus. She wants to study international law, the Spanish language and music. Julia loves sports and music. She participates in soccer, lacrosse, gymnastics, and cheerleading. In the music part of her life, she plays in the All City Marching band with the bells and can also play Violin and the upright Bass. Julia loves to travel and has been to Guatemala, China, England, Italy, and France. She loves her family and having a good time.

Georgia Mitchell is currently a senior at Chief Sealth High School and plans to attend Seattle University in the fall. Georgia has been active in sports. She has been an integral part of Chief Sealth’s soccer, volleyball, and softball teams. She is a member of the Polynesian Club and has performed Hula and Tahitian dances this school year. Nothing excites Georgia more than traveling abroad and gaining new experiences. She has been to China, Africa and many interesting destinations. She is a proud Summer Search Seattle student. Georgia has done well in the Running Start Program and manages to perform many hours of community service. She enjoys interacting with people and looks forward to making new friendships this summer while a Miss West Seattle candidate.

Kelly Nealson is a lifelong West Seattle resident. She previously attended Lafayette Elementary and West Seattle Christian School and currently attends Holy Names Academy, where she is a junior. Kelly enjoys traveling, singing, acting, and writing in her spare time. She hasn’t selected a college yet, but plans to study psychology, education, or international business. Kelly is excited to be a candidate for the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Program this summer.

Veronica Pupava is a senior at Mount Rainier High School, where she is a full International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate. Her favorite classes are art and the Theory of Knowledge. Next year she plans to attend the University of Idaho to major in both dance and interior design. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in one or both of those subjects. Veronica has danced at the Seattle Civic Dance Theater for fifteen years. Veronica also enjoys skiing, which she learned at the age of two. She is very excited to be a part of the West Seattle Hi-Yu outreach this summer.

Rosemarie Unite is a senior at Holy Names Academy and wishes to attend the University of Washington in the autumn of 2009 studying Mechanical Engineering. Known as Rosie, she enjoys numerous activities. Her hobbies include, track and field, dancing, swimming, singing, drawing, and playing piano. She takes pleasure in hanging with her family and friends. In the winter of 2009, Rosie became Queen for the Filipino Festival Pagdariwang. Rosie enjoys socializing and having a great time with new experiences and people.

The coronation is July 20th. Between now and then, the candidates have a variety of events to attend, both to meet community members, and also to participate in activities that are part of the judging. The American Legion Candidates’ Reception on June 11th is the first event on the list; the full Hi-Yu Festival schedule is here.