Sequim Irrigation Festival

Each year the junior royalty are chosen from the 3^rd graders at Helen Haller and Greywolf Elementary schools. They are the winners of the 2013 essay contest answered the question: "What would you see as you are dancing through the valley?”.

The 2013 Junior Royalty were announced at the Pageant on January 26, 2013.

Chloe Stanford, age 9, is in the 3rd grade at Greywolf Elementary. She lives with mom, dad & her 5 year old brother on 20 acres in the foothills of Sequim. Chloe enjoys singing and dancing, swimming, soccer and snowboarding. She recently mastered the intermediate rope at Hurricane Ridge and plans on tackling the waves of La Push this summer.

Essay: While I am dancing through the valley I see the sun peeking over the green treetops, flowers swaying in the light soft breeze and leaves twirling like a twister with butterflies soaring around it. I see a crystal clear waterfall leading to the fastest stream with silver salmon gleaming in the sunlight. As I head into the woods I see mother birds teaching their babies how to fly. They are flapping their wings struggling to stay in flight. In the shade of the oak tree there lies a mother deer and her fawn. The fawn is resting on her arms just how it should be. In the distance there is a field of wild flowers where a family is enjoying a picnic.

Dierdre Anne Dorrell is a 3rd grader at Helen Haller Elementary School. Known as Dee Dee she loves spending time with her mom, Lisa Anne Lindley, and her dad and step mom, Lee and Heather Dorrell. Dee Dee is active in her church youth program at Sequim Community Church,  Girl Scouts and youth soccer.

Essay: This is what I see as I am dancing through the valley, rivers and streams which carry salmon, trout, frogs and other small water beings. The grass, berry bushes, and trees swaying in the breeze along the banks. The dogs are playing in the yards of people with beautiful flowers in the gardens. I see wild life peeking through the grass, bushes and around trees, wishing to join in the dance around the valley. I see cats of all sizes pouncing on prey, and then tossing the kill in the air. I see man and nature in a waltz to celebrate life.

Logan Phipps is in the 3rd grade at Helen Haller Elementary. His teacher is Mrs. Riggs. Logan's favorite subject is reading and his favorite author is JRR Tolkien. Logan has two brothers, Trenton and Marshall. His favorite sport is Taekwan-Do, which he has a blue tag in. Logan also likes to play with his favorite toy, LEGOS!

Essay: If I was dancing through the valley I would see...the beautiful lavender farms and playful deer. I would also see the graceful elk grazing through the field. On a clear day I would see the Olympic Mountains reaching for the sky. Then I would dance to the beach to spot a seal or a sea lion, a humpback whale or a grey whale, or a beautiful bald eagle. Last I would dance to railroad bridge park and dance across the trestle. And that is what I would see...Dancing through the valley.

Henry Hughes is a 3rd grader at Greywolf Elementary. His parents are Brian and Megan Hughes and he has one sister and two brothers. Henry enjoys flag football, piano, cub scouts, skiing, birding, collecting rocks, playing with his pets, and performing in musicals.

Essay: When I dance through the Sequim Valley, I see nature's gifts. At the Railroad Bridge Park I see kingfisher and salmon swimming up stream. Bikers ride on the Olympic Discovery trail. Down at the Dungeness  Spit, I see driftwood and smooth stones. At Port Williams, I play with big empty crab shells. In the fall I toss colorful leaves and like to pick apples for making apple pie and cider. At Carrie Blake Park I see people enjoying birthday parties, swinging, and walking dogs. Children run and kick soccer balls or catch a football. I love Sequim.