Hougar to represent Medical Lake at Spokane Lilac Festival coronation

Medical Lake High School senior Katelynn Hougar is within reach of becoming one of the 2015 Spokane Lilac Festival Royal Court. She just has to overcome one last hurdle Jan. 25, when she competes at the Spokane Lilac Festival coronation at the Bing Crosby Theater to be one of the seven chosen to be a member of the royal court and maybe Lilac Queen.

Hougar, who became one of the Fab 14 back in November, said there are many emotions leading up to the coronation.

According to Hougar, each contestant will give a two-minute speech while being judged by a committee. The committee will select one Lilac Queen and the six members of the royal court. Hougar is nervous because she will be in front of hundreds of people.

"It's been an overwhelming process but it's so worth it," Hougar said. "It's exciting to be a part of this association and be a part of this family."

Hougar, who has lived in Medical Lake her entire life, wasn't originally interested in becoming a Lilac Princess.

"I've attended the parade in the past and you see the princesses, they are beautiful girls in those gowns," Hougar said. "This summer I researched and looked into what these girls actually do and I read their mission statement and learned how the (Spokane Lilac Festival) association honors the military and serves the community and I thought I would fit right in."

According to the association's website, each school in Spokane County will submit a candidate for the Fab 14. Some of the criteria to be selected for the Fab 14 include a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for six semesters, leadership roles within the school, volunteering in the community and a willingness to represent their city at events, festivals and parades. After she was selected, Hougar met the other 13 candidates at orientation.

"We all became kind of a family right away because we're all trying to reach the same goal," Hougar said. "It was easy to connect and we're all at the same point in our lives."

Since she started in November, Hougar has been busy learning etiquette and participating in events throughout the county. Hougar's favorite project so far was the Operation Cookie Drop at Fairchild Air Force Base. While she does not have any family in the military now, Hougar has known many friends who live at Fairchild.

"I was one of the only girls who have been on Fairchild, so we got to go and deliver baked goods to the airmen who live in the dorms and don't have any family," Hougar said.

Hougar balances her time with the association along with schoolwork, a part-time job and other activities. She said being in constant contact with her teachers and boss is what's helped her maintain her schedule.

"If you're not organized, then this project is not for you," Hougar said. "It takes a lot of focus, but I enjoy everything I do. I just make the time and make it all fit."

Hougar's English teacher June Horton said she possesses the "true royalty characters to become a Lilac queen."

"If royalty is represented by modesty, grace, confidence and admirable service to others, Katelynn's (Hougar) inner confidence, who she is within, will represent the mission of the Spokane Lilac Festival organization in an admirable way," Horton said. "She represents Medical Lake High School as a community-minded young adult, scholarly student, respected leader and influential role model."

Regardless of whether or not she is named to the royal court, Hougar will keep all of the lessons and relationships with her for the rest of her life.

"I've learned a lot from people I've met on this journey," Hougar said. "I've been a part of a lot of teams, as an athlete, but I've learned about being a team with so many strong-minded girls. We are leaders and we're passionate. We've somehow meshed together."

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.