Natalie Revers, left, is the 2019 Cherry Blossom Princess from Virginia.
Each year, as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, each state sends a Cherry Blossom Princess to the festivities in D.C.
Last year, West Potomac High grad Margaret O’Meara (pictured on the right, above), Class of 2015, represented Virginia as the 2018 Cherry Blossom Princess in the decades-long tradition started by the National Conference of State Societies.
During the weeklong festivities, she helped plant a tree at the Kennedy Center, took part in the parade, read and donated books about Virginia to schools on Capitol Hill and participated in the Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony. She also attended a reception at the home of the Japanese ambassador.
Other activities included visiting the Speaker of the House, the White House and taking part in the black-tie Cherry Blossom Grand Ball. At the ball, through the spin of a wheel (not unlike “Wheel of Fortune”), a Cherry Blossom Princess is chosen to become the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen.
Last year, the wheel landed on Virginia and O’Meara was crowned queen. Then a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in art history, O’Meara represented the United States during a two-week goodwill trip to Japan. She met with Prime Minister Abe, the Royal Princess, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, the Mayor of Tokyo and other dignitaries.
This year, the Society of Virginia has named the new 2019 Cherry Blossom Princess, Natalie Revers, who is also a native Alexandrian and a 2014 graduate of St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria. A 2018 graduate of William & Mary, she is a financial analyst for Wells Fargo Commercial Real Estate Group.
“I am thrilled to participate in this year’s Cherry Blossom program,” said Revers. “Virginia has been home to many generations of my family and I thank you for the opportunity to represent our state in this historic festival.” Revers, 22, will be crowned at a luncheon March 9 at Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington and will represent Virginia as she participates in the Princess Program during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
What was the highlight of your year as National Cherry Blossom Queen?
Margaret: Without hesitation, I think the goodwill trip to Japan will be a highlight of my life. It was truly an extraordinary experience of a lifetime, a cultural edu-cation unequal to any other experience I’ve ever had.
What advice would you give anyone who is considering applying to the Cherry Blossom Princess program?
My best advice is to join your state society—or even more than one—and do it! Even though this program has a 71-year-old history, it seems like a well-kept secret. State societies are unique to our area because they were formed as people in new political administrations and military placements were relocated to the DC area. The NCSS Cherry Blossom Program has a traditional history that has evolved into a unique week-long cultural and professional development opportunity for young women. The participants who get the most out of it are open to new experiences, interested in other cultures, and have a desire to positively represent their states.
What did you enjoy most about visiting Japan?
There were so many very special moments and so much to admire and enjoy in Japan. Everywhere we went, I was accompanied by the Japanese Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Queen, who was my age, and there was a hospitality team in each city we visited and they were all so gracious, generous and kind.
What do you like most about living in Alexandria? I’ve loved growing up just steps from George Washington’s Mount Vernon and in an area that has both historical significance and beauty along the Potomac River. And we also have all the advantages of being so close to Washington, DC, and other major metropolitan areas. Alexandria is a great place to live.
If someone from Japan was visiting Alexandria, where would you take them? Actually, the Cherry Blossom Program is a cultural ex-change program and we will be hosting the new Japan Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Queen when she comes to Washington for the National Cherry Blossom Festival during the week of April 7-14. In Alexandria, I would definitely take Japanese visitors to the historic sites and shops and American-fare restaurants in Old Town and the Potomac River waterfront area, and for a scenic drive down the George Washington Parkway, and of course, to Historic Mount Vernon. I would hope to do it at a time that our Cherry Blossom trees were in bloom because they have great significance as a symbol of friendship to the Japanese people.
