2017 Cherry Blossom Festival

The North Dakota State Society is excited to support Olivia Cox as she represents our great state during the 2017 Cherry Blossom Festival, the week of April 2 to April 10.
 
Olivia Cox is a graduate of West Fargo High School and a 2015 graduate from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) with a degree in Political Science.  It was during her semester in DC with the American University’s Washington Internship Program that she  “fell in love with the culture of DC and decided to pursue a career in politics upon graduation.”  She returned to DC and works in Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s office, first as a staff assistant and now as deputy scheduler.  She is honored and excited to represent North Dakota at this year’s events.
 
Events
You are warmly invited to attend the Festival events sponsored by the National Conference of State Societies. To learn more, see our events page. 

Program Overview
The Cherry Blossom Princess Program is a cultural, educational, and professional development program for women leaders ages 19 to 24 held each year during one week of the National Cherry Blossom Festival© in Washington, DC. It is sponsored and managed by the National Conference of State Societies (NCSS), the non-profit, voluntary umbrella association for State and Territorial Societies in the National Capital Area.
 
Since 1948, State and Territorial Societies along with many Embassies and Consulates in Washington, DC have enabled more than 3,000 young women leaders from across the United States and world to participate in this program and the celebration of the unique and enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. As Cherry Blossom Princesses, these young women represent their respective states, territories, and countries in both public and private events held each day across the Washington, DC area and engage with leading government, business, arts, and media leaders and role models. In the past decade alone, the Cherry Blossom Princesses have met with First Lady Laura Bush; President of the Kennedy Center, Deborah Rutter; former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; Cmdr. Yvette Brown Wahler; and Red Cross President and CEO Dr. Bernadine Healey; among others.
 
At the conclusion of the week-long Cherry Blossom Princess Program, a new United States Cherry Blossom Queen is chosen at the Official Cherry Blossom Grand Ball and Sushi Reception by a random spin of a wheel of fortune from amongst the Princesses representing States and Territories. The following morning, the newly crowned United States Cherry Blossom Queen and her Japanese counterpart, along with the State, Territory, and International Princesses are invited to participate in the National Cherry Blossom Parade® and the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival.

PAST YEARS

2016

Rachael Gabrelcik: Ms. Gabrelcik is studying Psychology/Occupational Therapy at the University of North Dakota.  When she isn’t studying, she volunteers at Circle of Friends, the local humane society in Grand Forks.  She enjoys rugby, reading, and playing the oboe.  Ms. Gabrelcik is a 2013 graduate from Fridley Senior High School in Fridley, Minnesota. She is honored to be representing her new home, the state of North Dakota, as a Cherry Blossom Princess.

The Cherry Blossom Princess Education and Cultural Exchange Program is a weeklong opportunity for young women from across the U.S. and around the world to come together and network. Since 1948, state and territorial societies, as well as the international embassy community, have selected accomplished young women between the ages of 19 and 24 to participate in the Cherry Blossom program.   These young women representatives are called “Cherry Blossom Princesses.” Today more than 3,000 young women have participated in the Program since 1948.   All representatives have a chance to be queen. With a fateful spin, the Wheel of 'States' selects the princess who will serve as the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen. The Queen also wins a trip to Japan to celebrate their Cherry Blossom Festival. 

2014

Karly Moen: Karly Moen is a 2013 graduate from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Political Science.  Karly was a member of Alpha Phi and served as Director of Scholarship and Vice President of Program Development. At UND, Karly volunteered for local community events and worked with her sorority to raise awareness for cardiac care.  She also interned for former Senator Kent Conrad.   Karly embodies small town, North Dakota values.  She grew up in a small town in Minnesota, just a few miles form the ND border, with her parents and brothers.  They spent every holiday and many weekends on her grandparent's farm outside of Milton, ND. She and her extended family would gather at Icelandic State Park to enjoy North Dakota's great outdoors.  We are excited that she will represent North Dakota during the Cherry Blossom Festival this year.

2013

Bethany Martindale​:  Bethany Martindale is a 2008 graduate of Fargo North High School and recently received her degree in Political Science from the University of North Dakota. When she wasn't studying, she was busy keeping active in Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, playing cello in the university's chamber orchestra, and working in the Student Involvement Office. Upon graduating in May of 2012, Bethany moved to Washington, D.C. to work for Senator Kent Conrad. Following Senator Conrad's retirement, Bethany was hired and now works for the newly elected Senator Heidi Heitkamp. Back in 2010, one of her best friends, Kathryn Berg, was the Cherry Blossom Princess for North Dakota and Bethany is excited to be able to share this once in a lifetime experience with her.