Cherry Blossom Princess Application Forms
Application Cover Sheet - checklist for what is needed for the mailing
Form A - Statement of Interest by Princess – signed by the Princess and the State Society President
Form B & C - Princess Participation Agreement signed by the Princess, Parent or Guardian, and State Society President (Form B) and Cherry Blossom Princess Biographical Information (Form C).
Form D - Emergency Care Information signed by the Princess
Form E - Photo Release signed by the Princess and Parent or Guardian
Form F - Escort Form and Additional Princess Information
Form G - United States Cherry Blossom Queen and Runner-Up Selection and Participation Agreement signed by the Princess, Parent or Guardian, and State Society President
Form H - Absence Request (signed by the Princess) – only if applicable
Princess Gift Memo
Princess Gift Form

Jr. Cherry Blossom Princess Form/Waiver

The Cherry Blossom Princess Program
The Cherry Blossom Princess Educational and Cultural Exchange Program is a weeklong cultural and educational opportunity for young women from across the U.S. and around the world. Since 1948, state and territory societies, as well as the international embassy community, have selected accomplished young women between the ages of 19 and 24 for their academic achievement, exceptional poise and appearance, excellent interpersonal communication skills, leadership, interest in social, civic, community and world affairs strong desire to serve others through community service, maturity and responsibility, and to:
• Represent the National Conference of State Societies and Cherry Blossom Princess Program by actively supporting these organizations’ mission, values, and goals.

• Serve by attending and actively participating in NCSS and Princess Program community outreach initiatives as well as by serving at required events and social functions.

• Learn by taking advantage of opportunities for broadening personal development, volunteerism, and community involvement.

• Have fun and make new friends through festival volunteerism – one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of participation in the National Cherry Blossom Princess program.

These young women representatives are called “Cherry Blossom Princesses.” Today more than 3,000 young women have participated in the NCSS Cherry Blossom Princess Educational and Cultural Exchange Program since 1948, including daughters of presidents, congressmen and senators. The princess program continues to inspire women of accomplishment. The Pi Alpha Kappa Cherry Blossom Princess Sorority includes Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Shannon Vinson, a Captain in the USAF.

The mission of the program is to have the Cherry Blossom Princesses participate in educational, leadership, and cultural activities as they serve their nation and respective state, in a “Washington Classroom,” by introducing the princesses to many government, cultural, military, business leaders, and female role models, who work in the nation’s capitol. In the past decade, the princesses have met with First Lady Laura Bush; former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi; Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson; Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton; Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; Naval Commander Yvette Brownwhaller; Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught; Red Cross President and CEO Dr. Bernadine Healey, among others.

The U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen is chosen by a random spin of a wheel of fortune by the Japan Ambassador in Washington, D.C. The following morning, the newly crowned U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen and her Japan counterpart, along with the State, Territory, and International Princesses are invited to participate in the National Cherry Blossom Parade® and the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival.

Every year since 1948, the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen has been selected at the Official Cooronation of the United States Cherry Blossom Queen and Cherry Blossom Grand Ball from among the Cherry Blossom Princesses representing the states and territories. Every year since 1973, the NCSS-sponsored U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen has been officially invited, by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association (JCBA) to visit Japan in May. This year celebrates the 64th Anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Princess Educational and Cultural Exchange Program.

In 2011, Allison Speaker of West Virginia was selected as the 2011 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen. Ms. Speaker visited with Japanese Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House, Members of the Diet, cabinet officials, and several governors. Ms. Speaker is presenting pursuing a Master's Degree in Public Policy at American University in Washington, DC. While in Washington, she has had the opportunity to intern for the Blue Green Alliance and with Senator Rockefeller, experiences that have only confirmed that advocating for your community, big or small, is both important and rewarding. Allison looks forward to the opportunity to pursue a career in public service, always remembering the people, community, and state that made her who she is.

Jr. Cherry Blossom Princess Program
A new program beginning in 2012 is our Jr. Cherry Blossom Princess Program. This has been in the pilot stages for 2 years and this year we are officially launching it. The Jr. Princess Program allows sisters of princesses, our Princess Alumnae families and members of state societies to participate in the ticketed activities as well. As a special addition, they will be individually introduced for the first time at the Princess Tea (a paid reservation is still required), where they will receive their sash from the US and Japan Cherry Blossom Queens.  They will also get to participate in the USO Care Package Stuffing event at Ft. Belvoir on Friday, April 13, 2012, and will be collectively recognized at each of the NCSS events.  Click here for the Jr. Cherry Blossom Princess form/waiver.

State and Territorial Societies can have more than one Jr. CB Princess, it is not limited. There is no beginning age limit, however, princesses under the age of 5 will not be able to participate in the USO Stuffing Event for safety reasons. The ending age is 12 years old (per the pricing structure for our events). If there are any questions concerning this program, please contact us at: ncssinquiries@gmail.com

Cherry Blossom Princess Sorority (Pi Alpha Kappa)
On May 22, 1963, a new chapter in the Cherry Blossom Princess Program began with the founding of the Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority or Prigkippissa Anthous Kerasias, “Daughters of the Cherry Blossom.” Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority is a permanent organization comprised of National Cherry Blossom Princesses, past, present, and future, regardless of race, religion, or creed. For many years the sorority has been active and an important part of the lives of Cherry Blossom Princesses and the National Cherry Blossom Festival®. Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority provides Cherry Blossom Princess Alumnae with an avenue to share memories, make new friendships, and give back to the community. Membership in ΠAK is automatic when you are chosen by your state, territory, or embassy as a Cherry Blossom Princess.

Information on the Sorority will be made available to the princesses in the first mailing. To receive additional information about, join, or reconnect with Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority, please Email us for more information or visit the Princess Sorority website at: http://www.wix.com/be75th/cherryblossomprincess