SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Lilac Festival Association crowned the 2026 Embrace Festival Queen at a coronation at the Spokane Community College Auditorium on Saturday.
Queen Hayden Bowdish from Cheney High School is involved in many activities at her school, including Leadership, Key Club, DECA and others. She also serves as a Launch NW Peer2Peer Mentor.
Hayden plans to go to either the University of Washington or Washington State University after graduation to pursue a Masters in Information Systems.
The Royal Court Princesses are:
Ava Hubble – University High SchoolAva Payne – East Valley High SchoolChloe Nelson – Spokane Valley TechKahlan Cartmell – Shadle Park High SchoolNaliesha Richardson – Gonzaga Preparatory SchoolSimone Kaczmark – Lewis & Clark High School
At the coronation, Royal Court members were given court scholarships. Other awards included the Spirit of Lilac, Community Service and Academic Achievement scholarships. SLFA says over $25,000 in scholarships was awarded.
Queen Hayden and the rest of the Royal Court will represent the SLFA at the annual Armed Forces Torchlight Parade in downtown Spokane on Saturday, May 16. They will also travel with SLFA to over one dozen community festivals across the Pacific Northwest this summer.
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