Thursday, April 15, 1965 University Daily Kansan Page 9
By Bob Cunningham
What is it like to be a princess?
KU Girl Whirls During Cherry Blossom Fete
What is it like to be a princess?
Judith Lister, Ottawa senior and member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, knows. She is the Kansas Cherry Blossom Princess and she represented her state at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington April 3-12.
KU BEAUTY—Judy Lister, Ottawa senior, represented Kansas last week as the state's candidate for Cherry Blossom Festival queen in Washington.
By Bob Curtright
Miss Lister explained that she has been Cherry Blossom Princess since before Christmas — having been chosen by Rep. Robert F. Ellsworth—but that last week was the culmination of her duties.
"I WAS REALLY surprised when they told me I was the princess," Miss Lister said. The petite blonde explained that there is no competition or contest as such, but that the Kansas Cherry Blossom princess is chosen through the Kansas State Society.
"The state society is made up of all the Kansas people in Washington." Miss Lister said. "Congressman Ellsworth is the president of the society this year and chose the princess on his own criteria." Miss Lister added that she did not know the criteria.
"The Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington was represented by 53 girls." Miss Lister explained.
The Festival has been an annual tradition in Washington since March 27, 1912, when Mrs. William Howard Taft accepted the first cherry trees from Japan as a symbol of friendship.
Miss Lister remarked that the schedule last week was a bit hectic—being on official business from 9 am. often till midnight each night—but that the excitement was well worth the effort.
SOME EXAMPLES:
"Sunday, April 4, was the first day of the Festival," she said, explaining that a formal reception for all the states was given.
"Tuesday was the day that the traditional friendship symbols—the cherry trees from Japan—were planted." Miss Lister added that Mrs. Lydon Johnson and Vice-president Hubert Hupmphrey officiated at the session Tuesday.
"Wednesday was the fashion show where we (the different state princesses) were all escorted by a senator from our states." she said.
Miss Lister said she toured the White House on Thursday and was entertained at a luncheon that noon. She said that she attended a tea with the Japanese ambassador and his wife in the Japanese embassy the same afternoon.
"Friday night was the climax of the entire week." Miss Lister explained that the Cherry Blossom Festival Ball was, in a word, "wonderful." She added that Miss Lynda Johnson, daughter of the President, spun a wheel to choose the Cherry Blossom Queen. Miss Pennsylvania was the lucky girl.
"THURSDAY WAS topped off with a pageant of the history of the army at Fort Myer," Miss Lister said.
Miss Lister said that Saturday was filled with pomp and circumstance
in the form of the annual parade down Constitution Avenue, a parade $ 2^{1 \frac{1}{2}} $ hours long and full of colorful floats.
Saturday, in the Sylvan Outdoor Theater within sight of the Washington Monument, Orval Freeman, secretary of agriculture, crowned the queen.
When asked about the most significant aspect of the pageant, Miss Lister replied:
"INCIDENTALLY." MISS Lister said, "the queen's crown—a creation in gold with pearls—is worth $100,000."
"To me, the most important thing was the symbolization of the friendship between the United States and Japan by the planting of the traditional cherry trees." Miss Lister thought the ceremony a beautiful and meaningful one.
SUA FRIDAY FLICKS
"THE LIST OF ADRIAN MESSENGER"
starring George C. Scott, Dana Winter PLUS
W. C. Fields in
"THE GOLF SPECIALIST"
Admission 35c
FRASER THEATER
7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
At
Peppermint Park (West of Sandy's)
Easter, April 18, 2:30 p.m.
For all children under 12 of Students, Faculty and Staff Members
Sponsored By S.U.A.