2018 RI Cherry Blossom Princess Michelle Moreno-Silva
The State Society of Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council are excited to announce Rhode Island native Michelle Moreno-Silva has been chosen as the 2018 Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess.
Chris Simeone, the Chairman of the State Society of Rhode Island stated, “Our organizations are excited to have Michelle represent the Ocean State in Washington, D.C., for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Princess Program celebrates young women who give back to their community, which Michelle has shown through her volunteer work while in Rhode Island teaching English to native Spanish speakers and helping native Spanish speakers become literate. We also appreciate her continuing to give back to the State through her work with the RI Delegation.
“We are again pleased with the selection committee's choice to choose Michelle as the 2018 Cherry Blossom Representative from Rhode Island. We look forward to Michelle's crowning ceremony and her representing us in Washington this April,” said Robert Billington, President, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
ABOUT THE 2018 CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS:
Michelle Moreno-Silva, a Central Falls native, is currently a legislative correspondent for Rhode Island’s Senior U.S. Senator Jack Reed. She is also on track to graduate in May 2018 with her Master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.
Moreno-Silva started giving back to her community when she was in middle school. Bilingual in Spanish and English, she volunteered in her community with Progresso Latino and taught English to native Spanish speakers and illiterate Spanish speakers how to read and write in Spanish. She developed a passion for serving her state through an internship with former Congressman Patrick Kennedy while in high school, which helped lead her to other internships on Capitol Hill, including Congressman David Cicilline, and to her current role with Senator Reed.
Moreno-Silva is also a member of multiple professional organizations in Washington. She serves as the Treasurer of the D.C. Women’s Council at the League of United Latin American Citizens; sits on the Placement Committee for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association; and is an alumnus of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
“I am overjoyed to represent my home state during this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival. Growing up in Rhode Island fueled my passion for getting involved in our community and it fills me with excitement that I can share the things that make our state remarkable on a national platform,” Moreno-Silva said of her selection.
ABOUT THE CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS PROGRAM
Each year a new representative is crowned to represent Rhode Island and join other Princesses representing other States in the National Conference of State Societies’ Cherry Blossom Princess Program during the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. The 2018 Cherry Blossom Princess Program will run April 7 - April 14, 2018.
The Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess is a young woman 19-24 years old that is annually selected to represent Rhode Island at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, held in April, in Washington, D.C. The winners are chosen based upon their background, academics, leadership, community service and future ambitions. The Princess represents Rhode Island at Congressional receptions, visits with international dignitaries, attend the Cherry Blossom Ball, engage in cultural and educational activities and participate in the National Cherry Blossom Parade. During the Cherry Blossom Ball, one Princess is chosen at random to become the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen and has the opportunity to travel to Japan in May.
“The State Society of Rhode Island is eager to continue to host the RI Cherry Blossom Princess again in our nation’s capital. It is a great opportunity to showcase Rhode Island’s impressive young women who have become leaders in their community,” stated Society Chairman Chris Simeone.