LOCAL YOUNG LADY NAMED
SOUTH CAROLINA CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS
AT 97TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Emily Brandenburg of West Columbia Selected for Special Honor

WASHINGTON D.C. ’Äě The South Carolina State Society and the National Conference of State Societies are pleased to announce today that Ms. Emily Brandenburg has been selected to represent South Carolina during the 61st Anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Princess Program during the 97th Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Brandenburg, 21, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts from Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C., said, "I am honored to represent South Carolina as their Cherry Blossom Princess and to learn more about the relationship between Japan and the United States".

The daughter of David and Gina Bradenburg of West Columbia, Emily was raised in Augusta, Georgia. She is a graduate of Lakeside High School, and is currently a third year student at Francis Marion University majoring in Political Science with hopes of attending law school.

Ms. Brandenburg is a member of FMU's Women's Soccer Team, a¬Ýmember of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, served as Head Delegate for National Model United Nations China, and is a member of the Student Leadership Advisory Board. She is currently interning in the United States Senate.

The 2009 National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the 97th anniversary of the City of Tokyo's gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the people of Washington, D.C., and serves as an enduring symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States. The weeklong festival began on Saturday, March 28, 2009.

During the festival, Ms. Brandenburg and the princesses representing other states and several other countries will participate in educational, leadership, and cultural activities that nurture international relationships and cultural exchanges. At the conclusion of the festival, one of the princesses will be selected as the United States Cherry Blossom Queen at the National Conference of State Societies Grand Ball held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Washington, DC on Friday, April 3, 2009.

The United States Cherry Blossom Princess program is sponsored by the National Conference of State Societies along with individual state societies that select young women based on their leadership, academic achievements, and their interests in community and international affairs.

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