Mihai crowned queen at Fathoms Royalty Scholarship Pageant

Veronica Mihai was crowned queen of this year’s Fathoms O’ Fun Festival in Port Orchard at a ceremony March 4.

Mihai, 18, of Explorer Academy, had a platform of “Mental Health Matters.” After graduation, she plans to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston and New York’s Conservatory for Dramatic Arts to study to become a music therapist and a detective. She also hopes to be on Broadway someday.

Miah Strombach was named duchess. Strombach, 16, attends South Kitsap High School. Her platform was “Inclusiveness in the System.” After graduation, she wants to go to college and study acting and/or music.

Savannah Horsely is a princess, and junior princess is Hope Halady.

Horsely, 17, of Central Kitsap High School, had a platform of “Jeeping — Leave No Trace.” After graduation, she plans to get a degree in agriculture and later attend taxidermy school.

Halady, 12, attends Marcus Whitman, and her platform was “God’s Love.” She wants to go to college but is unsure of a major at this point.

These young ladies will spend their year participating in parades and helping the community with different events. They will appear at the Easter Egg Hunt April 8 and the Seagull Splat 5K Run, both at the Kitsap Regional Community Park.

The Fathoms O’ Fun Annual Parade will be June 24 in downtown Port Orchard. For details go to www.fathomsofun.org

Fathoms is a volunteer community service organization continuing a tradition that began in 1968. It presents, participates in or co-sponsors community events year-round, including the 2-Day Vendor Show, Fireworks over Sinclair Inlet and Hotrods at the High School, to name a few.

Fathoms and its Royalty present an award-winning community float, which travels throughout Washington furthering the promotion of the community.

The Royalty Court theme this year is “Legends around the Sound.” The Royal Scholarship Pageant winner was selected at a ceremony at Harper Church in Port Orchard.

Other awards were:

Volunteer of the Year — $150, Rebecca Greenberg

Port Orchard Memorial — $300 Mihai, $100 each to Strombach and Horsely.

Congeniality Award — $150, Mihai

Best Essay — $250, Mihai

Impromptu Question — $100, Strombach

Overall Talent — $50, Strombach

Formal Wear/Modeling Award — $50, Halady

Top Sponsor — $150, Mihai

Best Oral Essay — $125, Mihai

FOF Board of Directors Award — $75, Strombach

Best Private Interview — $125, Mihai

Royalty Spirit Award — $50, Strombach

Recruitment Award — $150, Strombach

Top Button — $50, Mihai

Award sponsors: Larry Lewis, Helene Jensen, South Kitsap Fire and Rescue Volunteer Association, Debbie Macomber, Bob Morehouse, Karen Aquino and Delores Mattson, Dana Soyat, Harbor Valley Counseling, Chris Stansbery, Stokes Auction, Soroptimist International and Tim Mathis.