Zoe Bishop will reign as New Westminster’s 147th Queen of the May.
The F.W. Howay Elementary School student, selected as May Queen in a draw in council chambers on Monday night, said she’s excited to serve as the city’s May Queen and is looking forward to attending the May Day tea and banquet and the Hyack International Parade. Trey Sidhu will represent the school as its royal knight.
Joining F.W. Howay in the Royal Suite are:
*Qayqayt Elementary School – first maid of honour Emma Vanderven and royal knight Nicolas Blaison.
* Connaught Heights Elementary– second maid of honour Charlotte Johnson and royal knight Ryan De La Torre.
* Richard McBride Elementary – medal bearer Jadyn Gibson and royal knight Callum Whyte.
* Lord Kelvin Elementary – register bearer Victoria Reina and royal knight Alex Drake.
* Queensborough Middle School – first flower girl Kisa Gavac and royal knight Luke Murdoch.
* Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary – second flower girl Christina Hodges and royal knight Peter Darwish.
* Herbert Spencer Elementary – third flower girl Samantha Black and royal knight Roy Brenan.
Ardyth Moorcroft, who MC’ed the draw in council chambers, said there was once a time when the mayor and men in the community selected a girl to serve as May Queen.
“When the people started May Day and the idea of having a May Queen, the mayor said I’d like my daughter or my friend’s daughter,” she said. “They went to that girl’s house. They sat down with her father and they said to him, ‘How would you like your daughter to be May Queen?’”
Over the years, new positions were added to the Royal Suite, and royal knights were later added. The selection process was later changed to have students vote for their representatives and positions in the Royal Suite decided through a random draw.
“No matter what positon you are chosen for, the great thing is that you have already been chosen by your peers. That is a very special thing,” Moorcroft told students Monday night. “No matter what position you get chosen for you will have a wonderful, memorable May Day. It’s a big honour that you were chosen.”
While change is hard, Moorcroft said there have been many changes to the New Westminster tradition through the years.
“May Day Changes,” she stressed. “It is a constantly evolving event that reflects our current culture.”
A number of changes are planned for May Day 2017, which takes place on Wednesday, May 24 in Queen’s Park Stadium. In an effort to make the ceremony more child centred, students will be leading the ceremony, introducing speakers, dignitaries and may pole and folk dances, and giving speeches.
