Cherry Blossom Festival and Princesses
Since 1977, WSS has participated in the National Conference of State Societies' (NCSS) Cherry
Blossom Princess Program. This event is held in conjunction with Washington D.C.'s National Cherry Blossom Festival, a long-standing celebration
honoring the peaceful bilateral relations and friendship between the people of Japan and the United States.
Each year, state societies sponsor young women to participate in the
NCSS festival as state ambassadors of goodwill. Since 1948, more than 2,600 students have participated in the program. The princesses perform
a variety of public relations and diplomatic duties during the week. The United States Cherry Blossom Queen is then selected at the Grand Ball at
the end of the week by a random spin of a wheel. Without a doubt, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Every year since 1973, the United States Cherry Blossom Queen has been
invited to visit Japan by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association. Three Wyomingites have been crowned since 1958: Maldi Tarris (1951-1952);
Gina Madia (1989-1990); and Affie Burnside (2001-2002).
Past Wyoming Princesses:
2009 - Christine D'Amico (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
2008 - Michelina Cox (Lander, Wyoming)
2007 - Leah Burke (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
2006 - Anne Hedderman (Powell, Wyoming)
2005 – Reagen Bebout (Riverton, Wyoming)
2004 – Alison McGuire (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
2003-- Trish Fritz (Basin, Wyoming)
2002-- Cindy Reed (Riverton, Wyoming)
2001 -- Affie Burnside (Jackson, Wyoming)
(
2001-2002 Cherry Blossom Queen)
2000 -- Ellen Winters (Jackson, Wyoming)
1999 -- Melissa Nelson (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
1998 -- Jamie Fox (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
1997 -- Susan Shaffer (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
1996 -- Vicki Costantino (Rock Springs, Wyoming)
1995 -- Connie Eisenhauer (Casper, Wyoming)
1994 -- Ivy Johnson (Casper, Wyoming)
1993 -- Stephanie Sword (Casper, Wyoming)
1992 -- Cindy Sherwood (Glenrock, Wyoming)
1991 -- Gina Madia (Evanston, Wyoming)
More Information:
2006 Cherry Blossom Reception Invitation
News Release - 2003 Cherry Blossom
2003 Cherry Blossom Reception Invitation
News Release - 2002 Cherry Blossom
2002 Cherry Blossom Reception Invitation
2002 Cherry Blossom Schedule
News Release - 2001 Cherry Blossom Queen
News Release - Senator Craig Thomas: 2001 Cherry Blossom, Queen
Statement: Affie Burnside 2001 Cherry Blossom Quenn
News Article - 2001 Cherry Blossom Queen
Cherry Blossom Archives
Photos:
