History of the Cherry Blossom Princess Program and Festival

The National Cherry Blossom Festival annually commemorates the 1912 gift to the city of Washington, D.C. of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo. The gift was designed to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and celebrate the continued close relationship between the two countries.

Today more than 700,000 people visit Washington, D.C. each year to admire the blossoming cherry trees that herald the beginning of spring in the nation’s Capitol and celebrate the close and special Japanese-United States friendship.

Since 1948, State Societies have selected accomplished young women to share their state’s rich culture, traditions, and history with national and international visitors and dignitaries at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and abroad. These young women ambassadors are called “Cherry Blossom Princesses.”

The Cherry Blossom Princesses participate in educational, leadership, and cultural activities as they serve their nation and respective state. To date, more than 2,500 young women have participated in the NCSS Cherry Blossom Princess Program and it remains a great gateway for cultural exchange and friendship.

Requirements

Cherry Blossom Princesses represent their respective states in a variety of activities including a Congressional Reception, Luncheon and Ball. Princesses are required to attend events during the day and at night throughout the week, and specific attire is required. Princesses are also responsible for their accommodations in Washington the week of the Princess Program.

To view the 2009 Cherry Blossom Princess application and additional requirements, please visit the National Conference of State Society (NCSS) website at http://ncss.typepad.com/my_weblog/about-2009-cherry-blossom-princess-program/.

The 2009 Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to occur during late March/early April. To learn more about the activities and events planned during this year’s Festival, please visit the official website at http://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/.

Missouri’s 2010 Cherry Blossom Princess

The Missouri State Society nominated Jordan Blase to represent the State of Missouri as the 2010 Missouri Cherry Blossom Princess at the 98th National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.  Jordan will participate in a variety of activities and events that week along with other Cherry Blossom Princesses from each U.S. State and Territory.

Jordan Blase 1

Jordan is a 2006 graduate of Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, MO, and is currently a student at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  Jordan currently works part time for the Voice of America in the Public Relations department.  She is a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority and has served as both the philanthropy and social chairs.  In her free time, Jordan enjoys playing the violin, volunteering with her soriority and playing golf with her family.


2007 United States Cherry Blossom Queen

Jennifer Elkins of Independence, Missouri, was selected as the 2007 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen on April 13th, 2007 at the annual National Conference of State Societies (NCSS) Cherry Blossom Ball in Washington, D.C.  This marks the first time ever that a Queen has been selected from Missouri since the inception of the Cherry Blossom Princess program in 1948.
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Pictured above (L to R) are Congresswoman Madeline Z.  Bardallo of Guam, Missouri Cherry Blossom Princess Jennifer Elkins, and Minister Akitaka Saiki, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan.
In accordance with the tradition of 59 years, Jennifer was chosen at the NCSS Cherry Blossom Ball when the Wheel of Fortune landed on Missouri.
Jennifer was invited to visit Japan later that spring by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association.  She traveled to various events in Japan with her counterpart, Michiru Hirabayshi, the Japan Cherry Blossom Queen.

Missouri’s Cherry Blossom Princesses through the Years

1948 – Mary Cole

1949 – Leslie Ontrich

1950 – Billy Jean Rixey

1951 – Patricia Covert

1952 – Nell Jones

1953 – Louise Armstrong

1954 – Sue Hennings

1955 – Debby Bolling

1956 – LaVerne Karsten

1957 – Susan Huff

1958 – Karla Hennings

1959 – Saralee Foulis

1960 – Margaret Pike

1961 – Mary Pat Randall

1962 – Ann Garner Long

1963 – Jane Simmons

1964 – Ann Brown

1965 – Ann Fuhrman

1966 – JoAnn Middleton

1967 – Leslie Ann Hazur

1968 – Lynn Hearnes

1969 – Nancy Newman

1970 – Debbie Blair

1971 – Patricia Cahill

1972 – Anne Symington

1973 – Nancy Nelson

1974 – Caryn Mosher

1975 – Margo Godaire

1976 – Kylene Koch-Ichord

1977 – Mary Allyn Haines

1978 – Peggy Young

1979 – Karen Clare Kroggel

1980 – Terri Irving

1981 – Elizabeth Brock

1982 – Mary Jane Pogue

1983 – Nancy Israel

1984 – Kelly Throckmorton

1985 – Kelly Ann Stewart

1986 – Debbie Montgomery

1987 – Stephanie Theglinger

1988 – Deborah Kroggel

1989 – Angela Pogue

1990 – Sharon Lynn Wilson

1991 – Stephanie Vadasz

1992 – Jeneth Cottrell

1993 – Emily Schuchart

1994 – Tara Leigh Reichert

1995 – Shilley Hanke

1996 – Mary Potts

1997 – Robyn Simmons

1998 – Aimee Lubbers

1999 – Alison Wilson

2000 – Amy cochran

2001 – Jessica Triplett

2002 – Missy Simms

2003 – Michelle Hawks

2004 – Nicki Thompson

2005 – Darby Grant

2006

2007 – Jennifer Elkins

2008

2009 – Meredith White

2010 – Jordan Blase