Andrew, what is the reason for being crowned the Apple Blossom Queen and what are her "official duties"? How is she chosen and by whom?

Also, why aren't there any Apple Blossom Kings?

Yes, as someone who did not grow up in Westford, I'd be interested in learning a bit about the history of the Apple Blossom Queen as well. Thanks!

Doesnt this help perpetuate the sexist view that women are to be valued for their beauty first an foremost? Year after year these girls look like Barbie Dolls always tan and skinny, often blonde. seems very sexist that anyone 'larger' or less triditionally 'good looking' doesnt make the cut. Ughhhhh Westford

Great questions here about the Apple Blossom Queen selection and I think I can help.

The selection of an Apple Blossom Queen is a wonderful part of Westford history. It begins in 1935 when Westford hosted the first Apple Blossom Festival. The event included dozens of area communities, all deeply rooted to the apple growing industry. That year, Governor James M. Curley addressed the crowd and crowned the our first Queen. Here is a link to Westford Community Access's recent TV show about the history of the Apple Blossom http://www.westfordcat.org/content/history-apple-blossom-festival

The Queen contestants are nominated by the faculty at Westford Academy based on the values that the Kiwanis themselves seek to exemplify; active participation within the community, service that benefits others, and leadership.

Continued...

Thanks Don! So, just to make sure, does the Kiwanis elect the queen among the candidates nominated by Westford Academy faculty?

11 judges, selected by the Westford Kiwanis, spent time with each participant to learn about her successes, skills, goals, community service, & ambitions. Attention is focused on their record of responsible behavior, academic achievement, & school activities.

Rachel O'Donnell, the Queen, was selected by the judges for her superior academic achievement, her service work includes being a Sunday school teacher, helping with flood relief in Louisiana, helping with tornado relief in Massachusetts, a solid GPA, she wants to study meteorology. Among other things Rachel sings in the choir and is a peer counselor.

Richa Kaul, our first runner up, had a GPA that exceeded 4.0! She has been elected as her class president all 4 years at WA. She has traveled as far as India to work on clean drinking water projects. Richa is also a peer counselor and actively engaged in many other civic pursuits.

Kiwanis International is a non-profit service organization dedicated to serving children. We've been supporting children & others in need, in the Westford area for generations. We host the Apple Blossom to raise money that is returned to the Community in various forms. The Queen and the finalists each receive scholarship funds. Annually we donate about 8 to 10 scholarships to area students, including Nashoba Tech, for $750 dollars. We host events for Westford's elders & much more.

We're at westford.com/kiwanis

Don Siriani
President, Westford Kiwanis

PS Andrew gets my vote.

What a great Apple Blosom Parade it was Saturday. Great photos Andrew. The Apple Blossom candidates vere all lovely. Thank You to the Kiwanis for hosting this annual event.
Michelle, you can go on Westford CAT and there is a great story about the history of Apple Blossom and the crowning of the queen.

Thank you everyone for all the wonderful information as to how the Apple Blossom Queen is chosen and crowned. But what exactly are her "official duties"?

Also Don, don't you think that it is a bit of reverse sexism to only have an Apple Blossom Queen and not also an Apple Blossom King? Unfortunately, it does come across as another "Beauty Contest", but all your information says the contrary. I also didn't realize what a steeped history that the Apple Blossom Festival has, along with the Apple Blossom Queen.

You say that the Contestants are nominated by the faculty at Westford Academy, so does this mean that a Contestant can't be nominated by the faculty at Nashoba Tech or from Notre Dame Academy?

I am in no way trying to question the Westford Kiwanis, since I realize what a wonderful Service Organization you all are, but just trying to understand why is it that there is an Apple Blossom Queen. It is just one of those questions that came into my head the other day after I read and looked at Andrew's picures and I just had to ask.

Apple blossom queen= popularity and beauty contest plain and simple; they probably wouldn't embrace diversity and elect a gay male as Apple Queen would they?

Babar, I am not asking about whether there is a Apple Blossom King so that a "gay male" (your words and not mine) could be elected as the Apple Queen! I have asked whether there has been both an Apple Blossom Queen and an Apple Blossom King to include both sexes (both Female and Male) and I don't have an ulterior motive here (perhaps you do?).

Okay folks, please talk about issues and not other users. Thanks.

I know of a lesbian female student 2-3 years ago (President of Gay Straight Alliance) who was nominated and was the embodiement of a student with "successes, skills, goals, community service, & ambitions" high GPA etc etc and she was never really considered from the inside info I have because she didnt fit 'the type' family values indeed!

I dont believe the Queen has any "offcial duties" . I believe the "residents of Westford" just enjoy the Apple Blossom Parade and the tradition of the Queen. I'm sure Notre Dame and the Tech have there own traditions. Westford Academy has a Mr Westford Academy Contest. A far as I know there are no woman trying to be Mr WA. Get over it!

So if the Apple Blossom Queen doesn't have any "official duties" then why is there even a contest to pick one?

Also, it comes across as an "antiquated" beauty contest, when in essence the Apple Blossom Queen's chosing is based on leadership and community service experience (some of the many things that all Kiwanis exhibit, and want to recognize and nurture in children and young adults).

Since these Apple Blossom Queen Contestants are recognized with the Person of the Year than why not call them Student Leader of the Year and drop the title of Apple Blossom Queen (and include male students also)?

There are students, from Westford, attending not only Westford Academy, but also Notre Dame Academy, and Nashoba Tech. Is the picking of the Apple Blossom Queen, who is suppose to represent the Town of Westford and should come from Westford, only suppose to come from Westford Academy?

What would be the reasoning for having a Mr. Westford Academy Contest? Why is there this need to hold such a contest? Why wouldn't there also be a Ms. Westford Academy and a Mr. Westford Academy Contest?

I started this conversation to better understand why there is an Apple Blossom Queen and my intent was not meant to be malicious or maligning. I notice that whenever a person questions things, especially about something that has been done for so long, some people get upset and attack the questioner and not discuss the topic at hand! Why is that?

Vinny,
I quote the great Andrew Sylvia when I tell you "talk about the issues not people" . We all know Spaeth is not a townie even though she said she would vote at town meeting against teachers getting their steps but you are talking about people and not issues

So after all this, I still do not know what it is exactly that the Apple Blossom Queen does? You say that she is crowned at the Apple Blossom Parade and then what?

She is picked for her academic and public service experience, and crowned like she is a queen from a "beauty pagent", but the Apple Blossom Parade isn't a "beauty pagent"!

It seems to me that the Kiwanis have a "tradition", that is perpetuating this "beauty pagent" to not only these Apple Blossom Queen Candidates, but also to their families, and the community-at-large.

I am glad to hear that some of you like it, but some wonder why it is even necessary
and want to better understand why it is held. But if one questons something they are called names and "talked about".

I didn't grow up in Westford, so I wasn't educated in my public school as to the "reason for having an Apple Blossom Queen", so I don't understand why it is held. But I noticed that some allow these "traditions" to continue, just because, and they don't understand why and don't question either!

Andrew thank you for "enforcing the rules" for some, but not all! I appreciate it so much!!

Okay. I've had enough of this nonsense. Closing comments.