Rhododendron Court emerges: A touch of class

PORT TOWNSEND — Four young women are in the running for Rhododendron Festival queen this year, but at the March 18 coronation ceremony, all four candidates are guaranteed to get what they want.

“What little girl doesn’t want to be a princess?” asked Kellie Montgomery.

Montgomery, a senior at Chimacum High School, Elizabeth Hodgson from Quilcene High School, and Stephanie Nickasio and Alisha Parker, both of Port Townsend, were formally presented Sunday at a tea at the Starrett House.

While the court is usually made up of a queen and two princesses, the candidates were asked if they were willing to share the scholarships and choose three princesses in order not to leave one girl out, festival president Christy Spencer said.

“The vote was unanimous,” Spencer said. “The queen will get a $1,500 scholarship, but the princesses, who usually get $1,000 each, will split the money three ways.”