Deer Park Royalty Continues Involved Reign of Community Service and Representation

Deer Park's royalty has been keeping a busy schedule this year, representing the community at parades, community events, fundraisers, and meetings throughout the region. According to Deer Park Royalty Advisor Karen Martino, the three royals have participated in 11 parades, 17 community events, and 10 community meetings during their reign so far. Their community involvement has included the Settlers dinner and auction, several fundraisers for the Greenhouse Food & Clothing Bank, a fundraiser for Santa Express, judging a coloring contest for Horizon Credit Union, helping with Music in the Park, and participating in Friday Night on Main.

Among the memorable events have been the Lilac Festival in Spokane, and Penticton and Prosser festivals, with Martino noting that each offered something different. The Lilac parade was memorable because it was a night parade, while Penticton featured a threeday schedule filled with activities. The royalty's role extends beyond simply attending parades. "They represent our town wherever we go and always hang out with other royalty," Martino said. The girls have also become familiar faces at local community activities, Martino said, stepping in whenever their help is requested. "The Greenhouse fundraiser, Santa Express fundraiser – pretty much anything anyone asks them, they are there to help," Martino said. "Community involvement is very important.

The community has been very supportive and loves having the girls come and help. Everybody is very pleasant," she said. Other events Martino highlighted from this year's reign include the Hunters and Miss Lakeside programs and crownings. While the royalty's busy schedule has allowed them to represent Deer Park throughout the region, Martino said one of the biggest accomplishments has been watching the girls grow and mature. Public speaking has been another area of growth. "My goal as an advisor is to get these girls to speak to anybody at any time – impromptu speaking," Martino said. "They have achieved that goal. There isn’t one of these girls that couldn’t walk up to a stranger on the street and say, ‘Hi, how’s your day going?’"

Martino said the girls have also gained an appreciation for aspects of the community they may not have previously known about, including local fundraising efforts. For Martino, seeing the impact of that growth outside of royalty activities has been especially rewarding. She recalled hearing from a teacher who had noticed a sig- nificant change in one of the girls. "Had a teacher come up and say, ‘What did you do to (Jane)? She used to sit in the back of the room and now she sits in the front row, and when I ask something, her hand is the first to go up,’" Martino said. The three royals still have a full calendar ahead. Upcoming activities include Christmas on Main Street, the tree lighting, four speeches at various events, and the Leavenworth parade. The royalty will also participate in a Greenhouse Food & Clothing Bank fundraiser on Sept. 24, Pumpkin Lane on Oct. 31, Tom's Turkey Drive on Nov. 24, and the Santa Express on Dec. 12. In January, February, and March, the court will help with practices for the upcoming royalty, while January will also include the Settlers dinner and auction. For Martino, the busy schedule is about more than appearances.

"They are great – I have great girls every year. They are willing to help all the time. People ask if they can help, and I let them know it is up to the girls,” Martino said. When asked what this year's royalty has brought to Deer Park, Martino summed it up simply, "A lot of help with a smile." As their reign continues, Martino hopes the community will remember the girls for more than the crowns they wear. "They were very helpful, very polite; they’re just good allaround kids," she said.