The Rhododendron Festival on May 18 was the third parade in three weeks for Rhody Queen Paige Govia and Princess Rosemary Schmucker.

Govia and Schmucker, both seniors at Chimacum High School (CHS), first represented Jefferson County at the Apple Blossom Festival Grand Parade in Wenatchee on Saturday, May 4. “It was rainy,” said Schmucker, but “fun” because of the large crowds, including many enthusiastic small children who made heart signs and blew kisses at the Rhody court as they passed.

Govia, Schmucker, and the Rhody Festival float won first place — the “Grand Sweepstakes” — at the 129th Sequim Irrigation Festival Parade on May 11. “The judges come to you and judge you on your parade, your float, your dressing gowns, and your dance,” Schmucker explained.

Following that victory, Govia and Schmucker came home to reign at the 89th Rhody Festival. “I love getting to celebrate our community,“ said Govia. “The parade brings the county together.”

A Chimacum student since kindergarten, Govia has been involved with Rhody nearly as long. 

“I first did Rhody in first or second grade … [as] Junior Royalty,” she said.  “Then again in 2019 before COVID hit… [on] Queen’s court.”

Crowned as Rhody Princess in 2023, Govia this year became the first reigning princess in the history of the pageant to ascend to Rhody Queen the following year.

Govia wishes more girls knew Rhody is “a fun experience where you can get a scholarship for representing the community.”

At CHS, Govia took several College in the High School courses in math and social science. “Paige works hard,” said CHS civics and history teacher Brian MacKenzie. “She finds time to grind through her homework despite carrying a Herculean load of extracurriculars.”

Throughout her four years in high school, Govia “did both football and basketball cheer” every fall and winter, then threw shot, discus, and javelin for Rivals track and field every spring. 

Govia also served as an officer in the Associated Student Body, the National Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl, and Interact, the Rotary Club’s student auxiliary.

“Paige is a selfless leader,” said MacKenzie, who sponsors NHS, Knowledge Bowl, and Interact. “Others talk a good game but then vanish when it’s time to do the real work. Paige always shows up. Her team-first, mission-driven mentality gets the job done.”

Asked about her future, Govia said, “I plan on studying at Peninsula College for a couple of years online, then figuring out where I want to go from there. … I’m bouncing between lots of options and ideas.” One idea is to “become the first female president so I could change people’s minds on having a woman president.”

Rose Peirce and Kayle Kline are CHS journalism students.