Representing Duchesne at the 2026 Valley of the Flowers Festival

Two Duchesne seniors recently continued a proud local tradition by showcasing their leadership, creativity and spirit at the 2026 Florissant Valley of Flowers Festival.

Senior Bridget Caldwell was crowned festival queen, while her classmate and close friend, senior Christiana Newman, captured the top spot for the best decorated parade float.

Since 1963, the annual festival has celebrated the arrival of spring, local beauty and the preservation of the town's heritage. The event culminates in the selection of a queen and her court, who serve as ambassadors for the City of Florissant throughout their senior year.

Caldwell’s crowning marks a historic milestone for the Duchesne community. She is the first Pioneer to wear the crown since Kelly Mahaffy in 2013.

Like many well-rounded Duchesne students, Caldwell and Newman balance multiple passions, sharing a bond through their involvement in cheerleading, choir, and theater. Navigating the pageant experience together made the process even more meaningful for the two Pioneers.

"My favorite part of this process was sharing it with Tiana, one of my best friends at Duchesne," Caldwell said. "It was so nice having her by my side."

The road to the festival required a simple application, a headshot, proof of residency and securing a local sponsor to cover entry fees and parade transportation.

Caldwell was sponsored by Henke's Tavern, noting that owners Mark and Nancy Goldstein were incredibly supportive throughout the process. Newman was sponsored by Handyman Hardware, setting the stage for a highly successful collaborative effort later in the festival.

A month prior to the festival, candidates attended the Queen's Tea for the formal judging portion. To test their public speaking skills, the girls were given a prompt ahead of time: "Just as Route 66 has been connecting communities for 100 years, who is someone we admire that does the same?"

The girls took distinct approaches to preparing their answers. Newman drew on her experience performing in front of audiences to deliver a more conversational presentation.

"A lot of girls would type out their answers in essay form, but I chose to write down bullet points so it felt more like a talking speech rather than reading off paper," Newman explained.

To overcome public speaking nerves, Newman practiced her speech in front of the mirror and rehearsed it for her mother.

Caldwell, on the other hand, sought advice during a track practice from Duchesne Coach Pilla, whose two daughters are former festival queens. His advice to her was simple: "All you need to do is be yourself."

The interview process also included a round-robin style conversation with a distinguished panel of out-of-town judges who have no connection to Florissant. To ensure complete impartiality, candidates are not allowed to name their schools or sponsors during the interviews.

The final results are kept strictly confidential until the live event.

"Once the judges vote on a queen and court, those results are not unveiled until the actual crowning moment," Caldwell noted. "Not even Mayor Lowery or the Council know the results until the envelope is opened, so it's an exciting moment for everyone!"

The festival came to a close with an unforgettable parade. Newman's hard work paid off on the Handyman Hardware entry, earning the top prize for best theme or decorated vehicle.

For her, waving to familiar faces from the float was the highlight of the experience.

"My favorite part was definitely the parade," Newman said. "I had so much fun waving to all the people and seeing people I knew in the crowd... I got to celebrate with all the girls who did get on court. And I was so proud of them because I knew how much work they'd put into it."

For Caldwell, hearing her name called as queen brought her childhood aspirations full circle. Growing up in Florissant, she fondly remembers looking for the queen and her court at community events.

"As a little girl, I'd look for her and her court at parades or events, hoping to get a picture with one of them," Caldwell recalled. "To be crowned queen was surreal. Little girls are now excited to take pictures with me, and I feel honored that I have that opportunity to be a role model for them."

As they look toward their senior year, Caldwell is eager to fulfill her duties representing the City of Florissant alongside Mayor Lowery at special events and parades. She is also looking forward to bonding with the four other court members, who represent five different area high schools.

Reflecting on their memorable experience, both girls strongly encourage future Duchesne juniors living in Florissant to step forward and participate in the tradition next year.

Newman emphasized that participants truly get out of the experience what they put into it, encouraging future candidates to put their all into it and approach the process with a positive attitude. Whatever attitude you show up with is what will reflect off your peers, Newman noted, adding that it remains a fun experience even for those who do not make the court.

Caldwell echoed this encouragement, pointing out her enjoyment of the experience, and the unique opportunity to meet new people and form new friendships that it provides. Reconfirming the simple wisdom that guided her to the crown, she reminded future contenders that all you have to do is be yourself.