By Marianne Lincoln

There were bright yellow balloons, some lilting romantic accordion music and some lovely young ladies in glistening tiaras. The stage at Bethel High School was set for the annual Daffodil Festival Princess Selection.

Tonight, November 19 at 7 p.m., the Daffodil Festival Administrators assembled in the theater at BHS along with many of the princesses already selected .  Candidates Samantha Hooper and Noelle Kaku gave speeches, answered impromptu questions and their biographies were presented.

The MC, Toby Hanson played the accordion as the judges were making their decision. The judges consisted of Brenda Rogers from the Bethel School Board, Megan Miller from the Boys & Girls Club and Stacy Rushton from the LeMay Family Collection Foundation.

At last it was time, but before the judges could present their decision, the outgoing princess from 2012, Alysa Linke gave her farewell speech. She knew what she wanted to say, it wasn’t written down. The year of events, appearances and speeches had given her the ability to speak extemporaneously. She said she had no idea how much she would experience and what an incredible opportunity it was to become part of the Daffodil family. She said it really is a family in which she will always be a part. Then she noted that this particular year was unique and brought the princesses closer than ever because of the loss of Alex, the Princess from Chief Leschi before the parade last year.  She thanked everyone for all they had done for her over the past year.

Then it was time to name the winner. The escorts and the candidates returned to the stage and Noelle Kaku was named the 2013 Bethel High School Princess. Alysa brought out a bouquet of white roses to present to Noelle. The cameras flashed as Noelle’s astonished look turned into a beaming smile. The others on stage rushed up to give her hugs and congratulations.

2013 will be the 80^th year for the Daffodil Festival. Beginning this year, the “Queen Mother” will be called the “Director of Royalty,” no longer confused with the real mother of the Daffodil Queen. This year’s Director of Royalty is Karen Baskett, wife of Bethel High’s Kent Baskett, class of 1971.

In the library, there were cookies, juice and a chance for all the princesses to chat and congratulate their newest member. Eleven princesses from the other county high schools were present. They each try to come to as many of the coronations as possible. Anna Kessner of Spanaway Lake High School and Amy Bernstein of Graham Kapowsin were selected in late October. Only 3 more princesses remain to be selected. I asked Amy and Anna if they noticed any difference the day after they were selected. Amy said, “The next day everyone came up to me, even people I didn’t know.” They were congratulating her. She said it was amazing. Anna agreed. Both were obviously excited about their upcoming year.

Last year’s Daffodil Festival had a tougher time than usual getting support and backing for the event. Losing Alex Cole, the Leschi princess, was even more difficult for the Daffodil Court. This year the Festival’s Executive Director, Steve James is optimistic. Fundraising for the events is where it should be and participation appears to be on the right trajectory. He was on hand, not in his yellow jacket, but in his holiday shirt from the South Hill Mall where he is already hard at work taking Santa photos. His camera was also useful for taking photos of the princesses on hand at Bethel. He started out with the Festival a few tears ago doing photography and marketing, this year he made the leap to Executive Director.

In order for schools to participate in the Festival with their bands and princesses, they are required to enter a float each year. The Bethel School District will be organizing a team soon to design and assemble a float for the Grand Floral Parade in April. We’ll bring you more information on how to help out when they need you. The theme for 2013 is “The Magic of Music.” (As a former Daffodil Parade drum major, I’ll second that!)

Congratulations and best wishes to Noelle, Amy and Anna, Bethel’s 2013 princesses!

Here are some other upcoming event dates for the 2013 Daffodil Festival:

Queen’s Coronation, March 8, 2013

Magnificent Mutt Show, April 4, 2013

80th Annual Daffodil Parade, April 13, 2013

27th Annual Y-Run for Kids, April 13, 2013

Junior Parade, April 20, 2013

Marine Parade, April 21, 2013