FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2024
Contact: Executive Director, Adriana Berndt, ed@spokanelilacfestival.org
[Spokane, WA] On Saturday, March 2, seven local high school seniors were selected to represent the Spokane Lilac Festival Association (SLFA) as members of the 2024 “Dare to Dream” Royal Court.
The seven Royal Court members began their journey late last year, when area high schools in Spokane County were eligible to present a candidate from among their senior class. Beginning in early January, the 17 candidates participated in an eight-week preparation course in character-building and servant-leadership with a strengthened focus on community service, integrity, and teamwork. After a series of interviews and presentations, the Royal Court was selected.
The members of the 2024 “Dare to Dream” Royal Court are:
- Chloe Matteson – West Valley High School
- Kate Wolf – Mead High School
- Katie Payne – East Valley High School
- Kwynci Peters – Gonzaga Preparatory School
- Livi Bennet – Mt Spokane High School
- Madeleine Froese – Lewis & Clark High School
- Olivia Cassie – University High School
Together, the 2024 Royal Court holds a 3.951 grade point average and participates in a wide variety of activities including HOSA, National Honors Society, Key Club, cheerleading and dance teams, Associated Student Body officers, as well as contribute volunteer time at a multitude of civic and community-service programs.
The Royal Court will make their first public appearance on Saturday, March 16 at the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Parade in downtown Spokane.
On Saturday April 13, the SLFA will crown the 2024 “Dare to Dream” Festival Queen from among the members of the Royal Court at a coronation held at 4:30 p.m. at the Spokane Community College Auditorium, 1810 N Greene Street. Tickets are available for purchase now at www.spokanelilacfestival.ejoinme.org/coronation2024, $10 online/$15 at the door, or $5 for students 18 and under, service fees apply.
The Queen and Royal Court will represent the SLFA at the 86thAnnual Armed Forces Torchlight Parade, broadcast by NonStop Local KHQ and SWX, in downtown Spokane on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. and will travel with the SLFA float to over one dozen community festivals across the Pacific Northwest this summer.
An album of the Royal Court members can be located at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oBuqOVVVOTNnwM3UovFXePXSSPG4T42H?usp=sharing.
The Spokane Lilac Festival Association (SLFA) is a 501c3 nonprofit community organization established in 1938 by the Associated Garden Club of Spokane. Following the end of World War Two, what had been a loosely organized group of enthusiasts gathered to officially form the Spokane Lilac Festival Association, launching in 1946 and continuing to this day. Each May the SLFA hosts communities from across the Pacific Northwest for the annual Lilac Festival culminating in the nation’s largest Armed Forces Torchlight Parade on Armed Forces Day. SLFA Directors and the Royal Court of seven high school seniors selected from among Spokane County’s 31 area high schools travel across the northwest each summer with the festival float, serving as ambassadors of Spokane to the region and beyond. To learn more about the SLFA visit www.spokanelilacfestival.org.
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