(March 31, 2011) — In preparation for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., the Utah State Society has crowned Kourtney Coomans as Utah’s 2011 Cherry Blossom Princess. A graduate of East High in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kourtney is enrolled at the University of Utah and is currently interning in Washington, D.C. for Congressman Jason Chaffetz.
Each year, during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the National Conference of State Societies (NCSS) sponsors the Cherry Blossom Princess programs. Approximately 60 women participate in the program from states and territories from across America.
“We are pleased to have Kourtney represent the state of Utah in our Nation’s Capitol.” Dain Hansen, President of the D.C. area for the Utah State Society, states. “This will be a great opportunity for Kourtney to meet federal officials, international leaders and princesses from across the country, all while exemplifying the great state of Utah.”
The National Cherry Blossom Program in not a beauty pageant, but rather a program where the various princesses will represent their respective states before members of congress, ambassadors and international leaders. In the past, the princesses have met with the First Lady of the United States and Supreme Court Justices. The culminating event is the Grand Ball, which takes place on April 8th, and is where the 2011 National Cherry Blossom Queen is crowned. The theme of this year’s Grand Ball is “Stand With Japan.”
“It is such a great honor to represent the state of Utah at the National Cherry Blossom Festival.” Kourtney Coomans said. “I look forward to this opportunity and hope our efforts throughout the week will provide as much aid as possible to Japan.”
Being that Japan is a close partner with the U.S. through the history of the Cherry Blossom Festival, all events, silent auctions and fundraisers this year are geared toward supporting and assisting Japan in the wake of the disasters.

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