2025 ROYAL COURT
QUEEN ELLA JOHNSON
FROM THE RIVER ACADEMY
Ella is the daughter of Kyle and Andie Johnson. Ella is a student at The River Academy, where she serves as a House Leader (her school’s student government and mentorship program), enjoys leading a middle school girls bible study, and helps with middle school girls volleyball. She is a varsity athlete at Wenatchee High School for golf, participates in Unified Basketball, and played high school and club volleyball for three years. Ella volunteers and serves with Young Life Capernaum and in the summer works in leadership on the Safety Team at Slidewaters in Chelan. In her free time, Ella loves painting, reading, playing pickleball, swimming, baking, and spending time outside in God’s creation. After graduation, Ella plans to attend Point Loma Nazarene University to double major in history and economics, in preparation for law school. However, she is most excited about one day becoming a mom.
Ella’s favorite show is The Office, and her favorite movies are any Star Wars movie, excluding the sequel trilogy. Her favorite song is “American Pie” by Don McLean and her all time favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Ella is most inspired by Jesus and her brother Noah, who has forever shaped the way she looks at life and how she loves others. Her most prized possession is her ring her Grammy gave her on her 16th birthday.
Ella’s favorite thing to do in Wenatchee is ski at Mission Ridge or walk the loop trail after getting a coffee and a giant Cosmic Crisp apple at Pybus Market. Her proudest moment in life is when she shared her testimony in front of 300 people when she served for three weeks in Canada at Young Life Malibu Club. If Ella could trade places with anyone for a day, she would like to switch with adventurer Bear Grylls. Ella would be honored to represent the Wenatchee Valley and the Apple Blossom Festival because of her servant’s heart, her involvement and deep love for our Valley’s special community, and the compassion of Christ she outpours onto others.
PRINCESS DAEJA CARLSON
FROM WENATCHEE HIGH SCHOOL
Daeja is the daughter of Janelle Carlson. Daeja does running start through Wenatchee Valley College, she is the Arts and Entertainment section editor for Wenatchee High School’s newspaper, The Apple Leaf, and is also the President of her Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter. She is involved in various clubs including Future Business Leaders of America, Technology Student Association, English Honors Society, and People’s First Club. Outside of school, Daeja is employed at Dutch Brothers Coffee and is an active member of her church, Sage Hills. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, discovering new music, writing short stories and poetry, working out, and spending quality time with her family and friends. After graduation, Daeja plans to attend San Diego State University to get her Doctoral degree in neuroscience, hoping to become a sports neuropsychologist as a lifelong career. She also intends to double major in business and open her own private practice in neuroscience.
Daeja’s favorite TV show is Full House, and her favorite movie is The Notebook. Her favorite song is “She’s Always a Woman” by Billy Joel and her favorite book is The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. She is most inspired by her full-time mother, and her most treasured keepsake is her late grandmother's childhood diary.
Daeja’s favorite thing to do in the Wenatchee Valley is jump in the Columbia River, no matter the weather. Her proudest moment in life was winning an international title in her 2023 DECA conference, resulting in further competition in Anaheim, California. If Daeja could trade places with anyone for the day, she would trade places with Bennet Olamu, a world-renowned neuroscientist who discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American football players. Daeja feels she should represent the Wenatchee Valley because she wants to be a role model for other young girls in the valley who have sat in the same auditorium seat that she has each year since she was 3, watching the pageant on the big stage. She feels as though she would be an encouragement for younger generations, and has pride in her role as an uplifting Wenatchee Valley citizen.
PRINCESS YASMIN PEREZ
FROM EASTMONT HIGH SCHOOL
Yasmin is the daughter of Santiago Perez and Isabet Torres. Yasmin enjoys learning more about health care by job shadowing at dental offices and also has a job working at a restaurant, Olive Garden. In her spare time she enjoys playing soccer or any sport with her siblings, playing the guitar and outdoor activities like hiking. After graduation Yasmin plans to pursue a career in the medical field to help care and provide for others who may not be aware how to access proper care.
Yasmin’s favorite TV show is The Challenge and her favorite movie is Avatar: The Way of Water. Her favorite song is “Die with a Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. She is most inspired by her mom and dad’s strength and hard work. Her most treasured keepsake is a princess-themed stuffed bear that she received from her grandmother on her quinceañera. The bear holds deep sentimental value, as it was given in loving memory of her grandfather, who always saw her as his little princess.
Yasmin’s favorite activities in the Wenatchee Valley include exploring new stores to shop at and trying to learn how to ice skate. Her proudest moment was maintaining a spot on the Dean’s List at Wenatchee Valley College, demonstrating her dedication, hard work, and commitment to academic excellence. If Yasmin could trade places with anyone for the day, it would be her mini twin who is also her 3 year old sister Briella. Yasmin feels she should represent the Wenatchee Valley because she is the first generation in her family to further her studies while in high school by attending college. With that Yasmin hopes to encourage others to push through knowing anything is possible.
