Vermont Sends a Representative to the 100th Anniversary of the
National Cherry Blossom Festival
April 7–14, 2012, Washington, DC
Vermont has not been represented at the annual
Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC since
2002. This year is the 100th anniversary of the
Cherry Blossom Festival, and Vermont is sending a Cherry Blossom Princess
once again!
The festival commemorates the gift of spectacular cherry trees to the nation’s
capital from Tokyo, Japan in 1912. Since 1948, states, territories, and the
international embassy community, have selected accomplished young women to
represent them as Princesses at the Cherry Blossom Festival, where they share
their rich culture and history with visitors and dignitaries. Cherry Blossom
Princesses participate in a week of civic and cultural activities in Washington,
DC on behalf of their sending states.
Hillary Laggis from Hardwick – a graduate of Hazen Union and
a sophomore at the University of Vermont majoring in
Communications – is the 2012 Vermont Cherry Blossom Princess.
In addition to her studies, Hillary is a member of the Dewey
House for Civic Engagement where she participates in service
projects, including a yearlong project at Spectrum Youth and
Family Services. She also joined the DREAM mentoring program
for low-income children living near UVM. Hillary volunteered in Waterbury
after Tropical Storm Irene, spearheading a successful effort to bring the
traditional Halloween celebration back to devastated Randall Street. With an
abiding interest in international communities as well as Vermont, Hillary said, “I
feel that I can best represent Vermont due to the deep love and understanding I
have for my home state.”
Please consider a donation to help send Vermont’s first Cherry Blossom Princess
in a decade to represent Vermont in our nation’s capitol. We are committed to
raising $2,500 to send Hillary to Washington. Donations may be sent to Karen
Horn, 201 Story Drive, Moretown, Vermont 05660. All donations are welcome!