The 2023 Pear Blossom queen will be crowned Saturday night.

Six high school senior girls who have been chosen as Pear Blossom princesses at their respective schools will compete for the honor of serving as queen of the 2023 Pear Blossom Festival in Medford. The 33rd annual scholarship competition will be held at 7 p.m. March 25, at North Medford High School, 1900 Keene Way Dr., Medford.

Winners get more than recognition. Each princess automatically earns a $750 college scholarship. The winner of Saturday’s event reigns over the Pear Blossom Parade April 8, and receives a $2,750 college scholarship sponsored by Kogap Enterprises, Inc.

Contestants this year are:

• Isabella Williams, Cascade Christian High
• Clara Bennett, Crater High
• Morgan Dole, Eagle Point High
• Andria Slaughter, Logos Public Charter School
• Emma Almanza, North Medford High
• Emma Hills, South Medford High

The list did include Bella Roscher of Ashland High School, but Bella had to drop out for personal reasons, organizers said.

The young women will be judged on school leadership skills, academic achievement, community involvement, an interview with the judges, writing and presenting an essay and answering impromptu questions on stage.

Applicants are sought by having school activities directors hand out applications to interested senior girls at Rogue Valley high schools. The Senior Royalty Committee chose the top five from each school, and then each school selected its princess. More than 50 applications are received each year from area schools, according to contest organizers.

Over the past 33 years, the Pear Blossom Festival Association has given out more than $250,000 in scholarships to more than 250 young women in the community. The pageant was created in 1991 by the late Patti Bills, Darcey Mann-Self and Val James, and was created to add a new dimension to the Pear Blossom Festival, and to add a scholarship opportunity.

The Pear Blossom Junior Royalty Court, to be selected earlier Saturday, will present bouquets to the princesses during the competition.