MARGARET O’MEARA TO BE CROWNED 2018 SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS

The Society of Virginia has named Margaret O’Meara of Alexandria the 2018 Cherry Blossom Princess.

Lorraine Barclay Nordlinger, President of the Society of Virginia stated, “The Society of Virginia was very impressed with Margaret’s passion for her home state of Virginia and her involvement, leadership, and accomplishments.  We are excited to have her represent the Society of Virginia in our nation’s capital during the National Cherry Blossom Festival© in Washington, DC.”

ABOUT THE 2018 SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS

Margaret O’Meara, a junior at Virginia Tech, has been recognized for her academic achievements as well as leadership in various student social and professional organizations. A candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree, she is majoring in Communications Studies with a minor in Art History in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. 

Margaret is a dean’s list student, a two-time recipient of The Steve and Renie Guback Communications Scholarship, and was named the 2016 winner of The J. Brooke Rand Up-and-Coming Leader Award by the Virginia Tech Union (VTU).

Margaret holds several leadership positions on campus, including Vice President of the Virginia Tech Union (VTU), Peer Mentor to freshmen Communications Majors, and Ambassador for the Fraternal Leaders Institute.  She also served on the Chapter Executive Board of Sigma Kappa Sorority and as a Panhellenic Delegate.  As an English Conversation Leader, she leads weekly conversation groups of international students and faculty, to improve their proficiency in English.

Margaret, 20, has lived most of her life just outside the gates of George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate and is a 2015 graduate of West Potomac High School, where she was Editor-in-Chief of The Wire and an award-winning theater critic for the Cappies Critics Theater and Awards Program of the National Capitol Area.  She is the daughter of Pam and Kevin O’Meara.

“It’s my great honor and privilege to represent Virginia as Cherry Blossom Princess.  I’m looking forward to participating in the program and celebrating in all the festivities of this great annual event. Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve as ambassador for the Commonwealth I love,” said Margaret upon her selection.

ABOUT THE CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS PROGRAM

The Cherry Blossom Princess Program is a cultural, educational, and professional development program for women leaders ages 19 to 24 held each year during one week of the National Cherry Blossom Festival© in Washington, DC.  It is sponsored and managed by the National Conference of State Societies (NCSS), the non-profit, voluntary umbrella association for State and Territorial Societies in the National Capital Area. Notable alumni include U.S. Senators Shelly Moore Capito and Lisa Murkowski. The 70^th Anniversary Cherry Blossom Princess Program will be held April 7-14, 2018 in Washington, DC.

Each year a new representative is crowned to represent Virginia and join other Princesses representing the U.S. States and Territories in the National Conference of State Societies’ Cherry Blossom Princess Program during the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival© in Washington, D.C.  

The winner is selected for her leadership, academic achievements and interest in social, civic, community and world affairs, as expressed in an essay and interview. The Princess represents Virginia at Congressional receptions, visits with international dignitaries, attends the Cherry Blossom Grand Ball, engages in cultural and educational activities and participates in the National Cherry Blossom Parade. During the Cherry Blossom Grand Ball, one Princess is selected at random, by a spin of the “Wheel of Fortune” to become the 2018 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen and has the opportunity to travel on a goodwill trip to Japan in May.

ABOUT THE SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA’S 2018 CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS CROWNING LUNCHEON

The Society of Virginia’s Crowning Luncheon will take place on Saturday, March 24, 2018, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. A ticketed event, the Crowning Luncheon is open to all.  Tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/society-of-virginia-2018-cherry-blossom-princess-crowning-luncheon-tickets-40806434143

For more information about The Society of Virginia’s Crowning Luncheon: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/society-of-virginia-2018-cherry-blossom-princess-crowning-luncheon-tickets-40806434143

For more information about The Society of Virginia: https://www.vastatesociety.org/

For more information about The Cherry Blossom Princess Program: https://www.statesocieties.org/cherry-blossom-1/

For more information about The NCSS Cherry Blossom Grand Ball Tickets:

https://impactflow.com/event/ncss-cherry-blossom-grand-ball-7122