All hail the new Royalty Court
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, February 14, 2018
While you might normally see Erin Gordon on stage in a local theater acting, singing, or dancing; she took the stage in a new way last Saturday as the 2018 Irrigation Festival Queen.
Gordon was crowned queen on Feb. 10 at the 41st Annual Royalty Pageant set at the Sequim High School Auditorium. She is the daughter of Li Hui and Scott Gordon and hopes to become a reconstructive plastic surgeon while continuing her creative talents in the future.
“I’m just so thankful to the judges and the contestants and the community,” Gordon said, all in smiles at the Pageant reception.
“This is such an amazing opportunity and all of us did so well, I’m so proud of us.”
The new princesses are Gabi Simonson, Eden Batson and Gracelyn Hurdlow who will join Gordon as the 2018 Irrigation Festival Royalty Court.
The Court will reign over this year’s 123 Irrigation Festival from May 4-13, represent the Sequim at community functions and participate in a number of other festivals throughout the year.
In return for their service, the members of the Royalty Court each receive a scholarship — $1,250 for the queen and $1,000 for each of the princesses.
Simonson, daughter of Jonathan and Kenda Simonson, hopes to open a coffee shop with a daycare for children in Sequim so that mothers can have their children taken care of while they enjoy a cup of coffee.
She also plays six instruments and can be found teaching Sunday school to children at Sequim Valley Foursquare Church where her father is a pastor.
Batson, daughter of Shelly and Bill Batson, plans to earn a Registered Nursing Degree where her knowledge of the deaf culture and American Sign Language will be an asset.
She also wants to work with the Boys and Girls Club to arrange a number of dance, art and music classes for children and low-income families.
Hurdlow, daughter of Amy and Travis Hurdlow, will be taking a year off after she completes high school to travel with Youth with a Mission organization to the Pacific Islands or Papua New Guinea to work with a team of doctors and nurses to bring help and healing to those in need.
She also wants to attend nursing school and specialize in Pediatrics.
The other young women running for Royalty spots were McKenna Kelbel, Janeydean O’Connor and Liliana Williams.
The annual Irrigation Festival celebrates the irrigation ditches which brought water to the once-dry prairies of Sequim.
The Kick-Off Dinner and Auction is set for 5 p.m. on March 24, at 7 Cedars Casino Club Seven. This event unveils the 2018 float and is a chance to meet the 2018 Royalty, festival dignitaries, Grand Marshal, Pioneers and community leaders. Tickets will be available soon.
Information for the 2018 Sequim High School Operetta is coming soon and Crazy Callen weekend is set for 7 a.m. starting May 4.
For more information, visit http://www.irrigationfestival.com/.
