While the West Seattle Hi-Yu float is in Port Orchard tonight for the Fathoms O’Fun parade, Hi-Yu leaders have had to make another tough decision: They say the traditional Junior Court Coronation will NOT be happening during this year’s Hiawatha Fun Fest on July 19:

The 2013 Board has decided that we are not able to select a Junior Court for 2014 during this year’s Summer Festival. We have been unable to line up enough nominees for the 2014 Board. Without adequate leadership for the Hi-Yu Summer Festival, we can’t assure a great experience for Junior Court members in 2014. If we are able to fill the open 2014 Board positions, then the Junior Court Coronation will be rescheduled (likely in the Fall). … We are sorry for the girls that have been looking forward to the event and the possibility of serving on the Junior Court. If you would like information about open positions on the Board and their responsibilities, please contact us at info@westseattlehiyu.com.

You can also find out more about being part of Hi-Yu by going to the general meeting this Monday (July 1st), 6:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (California/Hanford).

Just before the 8 am whistle blew and fishing began at the annual West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club Kids’ Fishing Pond, all eyes were on the collection of bamboo poles prepared for the young participants (14 and under). Then it was off to the trout-stocked temporary pond:

Good turnout right from the start in the morning sunshine, so if you’re going, don’t wait – it’s happening till 11 am, first 100 kids or as long as the fish last, at Seacrest (1660 Harbor Avenue SW). And while you’re there, say hi to Hi-Yu royalty:

Junior Court Princess Emily was the first one there. Hi-Yu would also love to see you at next Monday night’s general meeting, as they gear up for the heart of the summer event season – 6:30 pm June 3rd, St. John the Baptist Church Hall, California/Hanford.

(Photo courtesy Mowery’s Photography)
Updates from the West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival crew, which is just about to start its busiest season:

This Saturday, June 1st, the 2013 West Seattle Hi-Yu Court will be attending the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club Fishing Pond at Seacrest Park from 8-11 am. We would also like to thank the many businesses that contributed to the Gala (Auction, Coronation and White Rose Event), Donations raised help fund the scholarship program for these young ladies and the last community-owned float. We are also looking for board members; if you are interested in volunteering, contact us at westseattlehiyu.com or come join as for our next General Meeting, Monday, June 3rd, at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church at 6:30 pm.

We previewed the fishing event earlier this week – find out more about it here. And read on for the Hi-Yu acknowledgments from the recent Gala:

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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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.

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.

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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:

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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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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.)

(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.

(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

(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.

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.

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.