Meet the new Forest Festival court

Journal reporter Gordon Weeks sent questions to each of the five members of the royalty court for the 78th Mason County Forest Festival.

Shawna Lacy

Princess of Cedar

Age 17, Shelton High School senior

Why did you apply to be on the court?

I applied to be on court because it had been my dream for as long as I can remember. Being able to strike inspiration into the hearts of other girls young and old alike is always something I've wanted to do and this is an amazing avenue to do that.

What do you hope to get out of your year on the court?

I genuinely hope to become closer with everyone else on the court. They are all so nice and inviting. I'm excited to be able to spend more time with them. I'm also looking forward to all of the amazing festivals we will get to be a part of.

Favorite school subject, and why?

My favorite subject in school has always been English. I've always loved to weave tales from nothing but a pencil, a piece of paper, and my own imagination. There's almost nothing that compares to the freeing feeling of putting everything down on a page in a rush of graphite that smudges onto the back of your hand.

What are your education and career plans?

I plan to start applications for college next year and get all my requirements out of the way and then maybe move onto a medical school to eventually become a pediatric allergist.

Favorite movies?

My favorite movie is "Ponyo." It's a Japanese animated film I used to watch growing up. Me and my younger brother would always sing along to the soundtrack at the end while dancing around my living room.

Favorite singers/musicians/bands?

My favorite musician is probably Taylor Swift. The first song I ever learned to sing was one of her's and ever since her music has had a lot of sentimental value to me.

Name a person - besides a parent or guardian - who you admire, and why.

I admire my sister Kara because she is so hardworking and manages to accomplish everything she sets out to do. She's only 3 ½ months older than I am but she is still able to set an amazing example for me and my younger brother. She's been accepted into her first choice school where she has big ambitions to go into STEM. I'm just overall really proud of her and I hope I can make people proud the way she has.

Nevaeh Haskins, Princess of Hemlock

Age 16, Shelton High School junior

Why did you apply to be on the court?

I applied because it is a great opportunity to be a part of, I wanted a way to be more part of the community, and I have also been dreaming of becoming a princess since I was little.

What do you hope to get out of your year on the court?

What I hope to get out of court is a family, become a great leader, and be more involved with the community.

Favorite school subject, and why?

My favorite subject I would have to say is science because I just love the way science works.

What are your education and career plans?

I want to go to Eastern Washington University and become an anthropologist.

Favorite movies?

My favorite movies are: "Holes," "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole" and "Spiderman."

Favorite singers/musicians/bands?

I don't really have a favorite, I listen to everything.

Name a person - besides a parent or guardian - who you admire, and why.

Someone I admire I would have to say is my cheer coach. Coach Stacie has only been in my life for about a year now but she has made such an impact on my life. She has helped me through school, sports, and personal things that I'm going through. I am very lucky to have met this amazing woman and to have her part of my life and I will always be grateful for her.

Gabriela Lepe, Queen of the Forest

Age 17, Shelton High School senior

Why did you apply to be on the court?

Forest Festival Court has been something I have wanted since my first time attending the Forest Festival Parade at age 5. When I was little it was the beautiful dresses that caught my attention, but the older I became I saw what a positive influence they are in the community. Grace Renecker in particular is a former queen I have looked up to since first meeting her. She was so kind and helpful to me from the moment I met her. She helped me overcome a lot of insecurities I faced. I aspire to be the positive influence on younger children, as she was to me.

What do you hope to get out of your year on the court?

Human interaction. We have become people who interact electronically, and while it's convenient, it's not the same as an actual face-to-face conversation or hug. I am anxious for every chance I get to meet new people and see new things.

Favorite school subject, and why?

History. It's what has made us all who we are. The good and the bad parts are of equal influence and knowing both is a continuous opportunity for us to learn.

What are your education and career plans?

I plan to attend Central Washington University, although I am unsure of what to major in. I have many interests and heart for servitude. I want to help those around me, but I'm not exactly sure what the best way to do that yet.

Favorite movies?

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is by far my favorite movie, but I also love all things Disney.

Favorite singers/musicians/bands?

Taylor Swift, Lauren Daigle & The Neighborhood are on all of my playlists, but I love all music.

Name a person - besides a parent or guardian - who you admire, and why.

That's a hard one to answer. I am fortunate to be surrounded by amazing people, but Brianna Sanders has a strength, resilience and kindness that stands out among my peers.

Joshua Brennan, Paul Bunyan

Age 17, Shelton High School senior, also Running Start student

Why did you apply to be on the court?

Like everyone else, one of the reasons I applied was because there was a scholarship involved, and we all know how expensive college is. The other reason I applied to be on the court was because I saw it as a great opportunity to not only make great connections and relationships with other people, but also as an amazing opportunity to represent this community that I've lived in for all my life, from the moment I was born until now.

What do you hope to get out of your year on the court?

I am excited to learn new things and gain new experiences that I've never had before, while being on the court this year. I believe that this opportunity will provide great life experiences for the future. I hope to continue to build great friendships and connections with those on court and those helping out with the Forest Festival. I hope to improve my leadership skills as well as the experience of representing Mason County to the best of my ability.

Favorite school subject and why?

There's been a couple different school subjects that I've enjoyed while growing up. P.E. was great because I love being athletic. People may call me crazy for this, but I'm going to have to go with math. All through middle school I really enjoyed math. Just the way all the numbers work together and how you figure out the right steps to do and go about solving a problem, then there was a sense of satisfaction when correctly completing the problem.  But then again that was elementary math, which was a lot easier. Throughout high school math has definitely gotten more difficult, but it would still have to be my favorite subject.

What are your education and career plans?

I plan to graduate high school with my diploma and graduate from Olympic College with my 2-year AA degree in June. After that, I plan to attend Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, I desire to pursue a major in business and a minor in Christian theology. As far as careers go, God is leading me towards both a career in the business field and a career in the pastoring sector throughout my life. I'm just not sure what His timing is, but that is fine with me. I trust God and know He will lead me and guide me. I say that with 100% certainty.

Favorite movies?

There are so many great movies out there. I love all the Marvel movies, Jason Bourne series, Christmas movies, Maze Runner series. But the movie that comes to mind first for my favorite movie would have to be "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle." With Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, the first time I watched it I laughed so hard. It's a great and hilarious movie!

Favorite singers/musicians/bands?

There are so many great musical artists out there. Maverick City Music, Elevation Worship, Hillsong, and Upperroom all have great and awesome worship music. I've been enjoying Edgar Sandoval Jr., Henrik, Jude Barkley, Chris Renzema, Sand&Sea, Hyper Fenton, Matthew Parker, and Kingholyan Miraculous. They all have some amazing songs and music I love to listen to. Worship, pop, CCM, Christian hip hop + pop are probably my top genres.

Name a person - besides a parent or guardian - who you admire, and why.

Jesus. Period. I admire Him above everyone else. I follow Him and look to Him first. This is a simple answer for me. Because of what Jesus has done for me, I can boldly declare that He is the Savior of my life and my very best friend. Jesus has transformed my life and filled that empty hole in my heart. I admire what He's done that has been recorded in the Bible, and everything He's doing today in the world. I can speak of the wonderful things that Jesus has done, filled me with life, joy, love, and peace. He's given me a new mind and a loving heart, He's performed miracles in front of my eyes, and He's been with those who are lonely and hurting. He's changed so many lives for the better. Relationship with Jesus is so beautiful and I couldn't ask for anything more. I admire Jesus and all that He did on the cross for our sins, so that whoever may believe in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. I admire the sacrifice He made to come down to the world that turned their back on Him. He died a torturous death on a cross, while being completely innocent and taking the sins of the world. All we have to do is believe and follow Him. It's a free gift. Jesus is Lord of my life and I admire Him above all else. 

Bradley Haskins Jr., Timber the Axe Man

Age 18, Shelton High School senior

Why did you apply to be on the court?

I want to represent Mason County. I want to be seen more in this community. I want to make my community better for generations to come.

What do you hope to get out of your year on the court?

To be able to see new people and be less nervous around crowds.

Favorite school subject, and why?

Science, because I love how things work and the hands-on projects that you get to do.

What are your education and career plans?

I plan on committing to Washington State University in the fall to pursue an education in wildlife biology to make sure that the earth is in good hands.

Favorite movies?

"Back to the Future," any Adam Sandler movie.

Favorite singers/musicians/bands?

Most country artists and a lot of rock/metal bands.

Name a person - besides a parent or guardian –-who you admire, and why.

My Great-Grandpa Jones. He is one of a billion men. He has done so much for me in the short eight years that he was in my life before he passed in 2015. I admire him so much that I got a tattoo in recognition of him. I will always see him as family and I will never forget the man that he taught me to be.