April 19 — Bringing home the yellow

Michele Wood, the Daffodil Queen, gets her chance to shine

Andrew Hosford / of The Herald

Michele Wood finally got her chance to bring the party to Sumner High School.

The newly crowned Daffodil Queen was presented, along with the 21 princesses from Pierce County, to her classmates at a school assembly on Friday, April 13.

“I was a little nervous as to how they would react,” Wood said.

Any second thoughts quickly dissipated, though, as she entered the packed gymnasium to a standing ovation.

The crowd of students, Wood’s family and the Daffodilian board members, in their traditional yellow sport coats, cheered her and the other princesses on as they walked the red carpet leading in to the gym.

“I think it is wonderful. There is a lot of energy here,” said Nella Hawks, vice president of the royalty committee.

Since being selected by their individual school this past fall it has been a whirlwind ride for the participants.

During the year, the girls were tested during multiple interviews and events, even attending princess school on Saturdays. In the end, Wood prevailed and got to celebrate the victory with her peers.

At the assembly, each princess was introduced with a short biography and escorted into the gym with a male student on their arm.

The girls wore matching yellow dresses that blended well with the purple and gold banners hanging from the Sumner High rafters.

The last to be introduced, Woods wore an all-white dress and a big, white smile as she took center position in the line-up of this year’s Daffodil royalty.

“We are exceptionally proud of her,” said Principal Bill Gaines. “She does a great job representing the community.”

He and the rest of the community finally got its chance to thank Wood for representing the city well.

The Sylvan Learning Center of Bonney Lake, a sponsor of the festival, surprised Wood with a $500 scholarship check. She was not the only one to score, though. Sylvan also announced it is giving the student body $550 to hire a DJ and light show for the upcoming dance.

“I have to pay for college myself so it really helps,” Wood said.

In her bio, she said she wants to go to school in California.

After the proceedings, the students showered the ladies with one more set of loud applause.

“I am really proud to bring the girls to my school,” she said.

As everyone exited the gym, a crowd of peers gathered around Wood to congratulate her on the success. One even attempted to get an autograph.

“They have all been really supportive,” Wood said.