Meet the members of the 2017 Lilac Court
Taylor Bastian
Age: 18
School: Mount Spokane High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
I haven’t decided on which four-year university I’d like to attend, but the ones I’m most interested in at the moment are University of California, University of Michigan and Stanford University. I hope to study biology.
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
My dad has always told me that I should live like Rafiki from “The Lion King.” Be wise, help others and have fun.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
I use my phone for communication, scheduling, homework and even tuning my instruments in band. It’s hard to function without it!
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
Any Lilac queen needs to have a genuine excitement and enthusiasm for what she does! With such an intense schedule, it will be essential for our queen to find joy in her service to make sure that she can always give her best efforts, even when tired.
What has been your favorite part of the Lilac Festival experience so far?
I absolutely love all the girls that I’ve been able to work with. From the original 15 to the current court, every girl has been such a joy to be around, and I have so much respect and love for all of them.
Ava Beck
Age: 18
School: Lewis and Clark High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
I plan to attend Washington State University to pursue a major in nursing.
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
The best advice I have received is to be myself! You hear it all the time, but it really is important to stay true to who you are no matter what other people may think.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
I could not live without my favorite mug because I love to drink tea.
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
Humility is the most important trait a Lilac queen must have in order to set an example for the group and for all the people watching her.
What has been your favorite part of the Lilac Festival experience so far?
My favorite part of the program has been getting to know all the girls and all the people that work so hard to put everything together. Their generosity and commitment is truly inspiring.
August Corppetts
Age: 18
School: Gonzaga Preparatory School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
I plan to further my education at either Gonzaga University or Seattle University. I want to major in business with minors in political science and Spanish.
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
The best piece of advice anyone has ever given me was to never give up in the pursuit of my wildest dreams and goals. It was given to me by my mother and father, whom I cherish for their optimism and positivity.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
One item I cannot live without is my dream catcher that I have had since I was 7 years old. I will be taking it to college with me.
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
The most important quality a Lilac queen must have is being hardworking and kind.
What has been your favorite part of the Lilac Festival experience so far?
My favorite part of the Lilac Festival so far has been the volunteering and service opportunities that we have had in the community.
Olivia Marx
Age: 18
School: Rogers High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
I will be attending Central Washington University in the fall, participating in their Air Force ROTC program to commission into the Air Force after college.
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Growing up my dad always told me “Keep your chin up and your mind wide open, and the whole world will come to you.” This little saying has got me through high school with a positive growth mindset to brush past the negativity. I am so grateful to have the wise parents that I have.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
My stuffed animal Tiger Lillie. I got her the day I was born. She’s my best friend; we’ve traveled the world together!
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
A queen must be dignified in what she is doing. There has to be a will and love to her position and her people.
What has been your favorite part of the Lilac Festival experience so far?
I’ve learned in-depth social skills that I could never get anywhere else, which will help me immensely as I grow up. Not to mention the lovely girls I get to spend all my time with; I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
Marissa Minton
Age: 17
School: West Valley High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
Most likely SCC first and then major in education to become a high school English teacher.
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
“Do something today that you’ll remember for the rest of your life” - A random elderly man at my work.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
My silver ring that says “I love you to the moon and back” from an old friend.
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
The ability to relate to her peers to emphasize her equality with everyone.
What has been your favorite part of the Lilac Festival experience so far?
Clothe a Child with my young new friend Savanah because she was so brightly spirited.
Hannah Mumm
Age: 18
School: Central Valley High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
I hope to attend Whitworth University and major in pre-law.
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
My mom says that all of us have huge boxes when we’re born and every single time we choose not to do something out of fear, that box gets smaller and smaller and smaller until we have a tiny little box we’re stuck in.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
I can’t live without the Harry Potter books. I reread that series every Christmastime, summertime and in between time.
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
The most important trait for a Lilac queen to have is humility.
What has been your favorite part of the Lilac Festival experience so far?
My favorite part of Lilac so far is getting to serve Spokane. I’ve loved working with organizations like Salvation Army and Blessings Under the Bridge and the people who make these events possible, people I never would have gotten to meet if it had not been for Lilac.
Summer Reid
Age: 18
School: Ferris High School
What college are you planning on attending? What are you thinking of majoring in?
St. Olaf College, with a major in biology
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
My grandmother gave me a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. “You must do the things you think you cannot do.” This has challenged me to get outside my comfort zone this year, but it’s a piece of advice I think everyone should live by.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
My planner, because it helps me keep my life in order!
What is the most important trait or quality a Lilac queen must have?
Respect – for the court, the Spokane community and everyone she meets.
What has been your favorite part of the Lilac Festival experience so far?
There have been so many great experiences thus far, but getting the opportunity to serve around the community has been really incredible and opened my eyes to how generous the Spokane community is. Among others, my favorite service nights were serving meals at Blessings Under the Bridge and at the Salvation Army.