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The 2014 Valley of Flowers Queen Alex Phifer
celebrating her last moments as queen by crowning
Courtney Neisler as the 2015 Queen.
Another Perfect May Day For Valley of Flowers and
2015 Queen Courtney Neisler
Text and photos by Nichole Richardson
The St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Knights of Columbus Pavilion again hosted this year’s 53rd annual Valley of Flowers Queen and Court crowning ceremony, celebrating the theme of “Those Who Serve.”
The 16 contestants, and the weather, were equally gorgeous Sunday afternoon for this “first festival of spring.” The high school juniors competed for the honor of being named Valley of Flowers special maid, first runner up, or Queen, respectively.
2014 Queen Alex Phifer took one last moment to celebrate her reign as queen before handing off her title to fellow McCluer North classmate Courtney Grace Neisler. A shocked and shaking Neisler took her crown while wearing a stunning, off the shoulder, long ocean blue gown. When asked, Neisler admitted she was most excited to “get out and meet new people and to help her community to grow.”
Apparently becoming 2015 Queen was in the cards for Courtney. “The day after I won last year, said 2014 Phifer “ Courtney came up to me and laughingly said ‘I want to be like you when I grow up!’ She knew she wanted to be Queen right then,” said the 2014 queen.
The queen and court must all be juniors in high school and not have been previous court candidates. They are sponsored by local businesses and organizations and are then interviewed by a panel of impartial judges. The judges pick the queen and four girls to act as her court. The Valley of Flowers Festival serves as the beginning of a year-long commitment to serve in parades and other events representing Florissant.
Prior to the crowning ceremony, awards were given out for the pretty baby contest, winning parade units, and sponsors.
For the pretty baby contest, all contestants had to be age 2 years or younger. Juniper Sherman (parents Megan and Thomas Sherman) won in the personality category. Zoey O’Donnell (parents Meghan and Kyle O’Donnell) took the prize in the popularity category. Winners received gift baskets and plaques.
The parade categories included best theme, best decorated car, best organization entry, and best commercial unit. First place in each of these categories was $100 and a large plaque, with second-place winners receiving a medium
(see pages 5 and 6 for more information on the winners)
Valley of Flowers Parade Award Winners
(continued from page 1)
plaque. In addition, awards were given to the best antique car and best walking unit, with first place winners receiving $50 and a large plaque and second-place winners receiving a medium plaque.
The first-place James J. Eagan Award for best theme unit went to the Wedding Wonderland Cake Shop. The medium plaque in this category was awarded to Queen Candidate Katie Leonard, sponsored by the Biondo Sewer Service.
The first-place winner for best decorated car was awarded to Queen Candidate Taryn Farley, sponsored by VFW Post 4105. The car for Queen Candidate Madison Scott, sponsored by Jan Grafeman State Farm Insurance won second place.
Operation Christmas Child won first place for best organization entry. Second place went to the Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 794 entry.
Click Heating & Cooling sponsored the first-place vehicle for Queen Candidate Anne Merriman in the best commercial unit category. The Pin Oak Creek RV Park sponsored Queen Candidate Hannah Schaljo’s second-place vehicle in this category.
The first-place best antique car was sponsored by Old Town Donuts for Queen Candidate Lauren Everett. The second-place award went to Welch Heating and Cooling in this category.
