By Dylan Reubenking
dylan@yelmonline.com
Before February 2024, Rainier High School had never had a representative on the Capital Lakefair Royalty Court, which began with the first Lakefair in 1957.
On Feb. 1, 2025, Sarah Barry, who was the first RHS student to ever serve on the court, passed her crown to RHS junior Jazzlyn Shumate, who was chosen as one of the five ambassadors for this year’s royalty court, during a coronation event.
Ambassadors, previously known as princesses, go through an extensive process to join the court. Each participating school selects a representative as its candidate for the court, and the candidates take part in a panel discussion, individual interviews with judges, and a speech on a predetermined subject. Only high school juniors with 3.3 GPAs with a complete application, two letters of recommendation and a 500-word essay will be considered.
During her coronation, Shumate presented a speech about her parents and how acceptance has shaped her into the person she is today.
“My speech was very heartfelt. It turned out that I ended up getting second place and became a Lakefair ambassador,” she said. “I found out that I and the queen that was chosen were tied for first place, and then the judges had to retally their votes, and I lost to her by two points.”
Barry recommended Shumate for the royalty court, but Shumate admitted she was skeptical of the idea at first because she had never envisioned herself being involved in the glitz and glam of the royalty court.
“I’ve always seen the princesses and the parades, and I just never really envisioned myself being up there on a stage making speeches,” Shumate said. “Going into it, I do so much for the community and I do speeches almost all the time, being that I’m involved in so many clubs. I thought this could be a really good thing.”
Barry said Shumate stood out among the rest of the candidates at the coronation not just with her speech but in her activities and experience.
“She naturally takes on a lot of responsibility, and I see it in school events and projects. She’s also a very outgoing person, and she’s willing to make conversation and to speak her mind,” she said. “She was perfect. I knew she would be willing to take on the responsibility.”
With her selection to the royalty court, Shumate received a $3,000 scholarship that she plans to use for her higher education. She hopes to attend a four-year university and then obtain a master’s degree in the pursuit of becoming a livestock veterinarian.
“As a young girl, I’ve always had big dreams. I’ve had a passion for animals since I was little. Any time I see animals, specifically larger ones like cows, horses, and goats, I want to do better for them,” Shumate said. “I want to help make them healthy. I want to find out what’s causing problems. I don’t want to see them in pain. I have such a strong passion for them that it’s inspired me to pursue my dream to help them, but I also have to know that it’s a long journey. I know that it’ll pay off in the end.”
Shumate will be relying on Barry’s experience and knowledge as she works her way through a busy schedule as a Capital Lakefair ambassador, which includes various local events and festivals around the West Coast leading up to Lakefair Week from July 16 through July 20.
She feels a sense of responsibility to represent Rainier, a small school in a small town, as well as to be an idol for younger kids to look up to.
“Many young girls look up to you, and you don’t realize at the time. But when you start to go out to do events, all of these little girls are gonna grow up and aspire to be like you, which is an amazing feeling to have,” Shumate said. “I have a little sister, and she thinks I’m like her idol. She’s gonna see me in a dress and a big crown and she’s gonna want to be just like me.”
Barry said she is proud of starting the pipeline of RHS students in the Capital Lakefair Royalty Court.
“I’m very proud of being able to start that track record. I was able to pass on the legacy by having someone represent Rainier again after I did it for the first time,” she said. “I’m very proud of Jazzy. I think she’s going to do amazing. I really hope to keep seeing Rainier be a part of the Lakefair program.”
