Quincy woman representing Illinois in Cherry Blossom Princess Program in Washington, D.C.

Sophia Marcolla headshot 2023 copy

Sophia Marcolla

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sophia Marcolla of Quincy is representing Illinois as part of the Cherry Blossom Princess Program, which takes place annually during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

Marcolla, a 2018 graduate of Quincy Notre Dame High School, now is a student at the University of Missouri School of Law. She is one of several women recognized by the Cherry Blossom Princess Program, a week-long program started in 1948 to celebrate the gift of the Cherry Blossom trees from Japan to the United States.  The program offers cultural, educational and professional development opportunities for young women leaders, ages 19 to 24, from across the United States and around the world. 

The Washington Post reports there have been more than 3,000 princesses since 1948. Each state society selects a princess from a pool of applicants to represent its state or territory — 55 in total. There can also be international princesses, but they can’t be crowned queen. The princesses are chosen based on things like leadership and academic and professional achievements. 

Besides the age limit, applicants must be single (and never married with no children) and have a high-school degree. 

The night before the Cherry Blossom Festival, a queen is chosen from the group at a gala, where they all wear white dresses with pink sashes. This year’s gala takes place on Friday, April 14 at the Capital Hilton hotel. 

The queen is selected by spinning a giant pink wheel. The Washington Post reported the Board of Trade, which was originally in charge of the program, decided that because the program takes place in D.C., there was too much risk that politics would get involved. The wheel first is spun to select a runner-up, and then a second time to name the Cherry Blossom Queen. 

The crown is decorated with pearls and is so heavy that queens can only wear it for five minutes.

Each Cherry Blossom Queen can visit Japan on a “goodwill tour,” hosted by the Japan Sakura Foundation. She will visit with local dignitaries and the prime minister.

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