Celebrating the revitalization of Roosevelt Avenue in Central Falls and Pawtucket The cherry blossom program is an important process in the transformation of a historic mill corridor into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. Since 2009, over a hundred cherry trees have been planted along Roosevelt Avenue that blossom each spring - creating an attractive visitor destination and inspiring the street's new moniker...Cherry Tree Lane
2024 RI Cherry Blossom Princess Delegate: Alexandria Evers
Alexandria Evers, a Cumberland, Rhode Island native, graduated summa cum laude from
the University of Rhode Island in 2021 with a B.S. in Health Studies and a B.A. in
Political Science, accompanied by a minor in Leadership. During her time at URI, she
held various leadership roles, including URI 101 Freshmen Mentor, Resident Advisor,
and Student Senate representative, overseeing university-sponsored student organizations.
Her senior year she was a 2021 Rhode Island State Intern, where she led a team in
analyzing health data and proposing solutions for a statewide issue.
Beyond campus, Alexandria has been an active member of her community. She’s
advocated for education at municipal meetings, volunteered with nonprofits, and
presently serves as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission in Cumberland.
Currently, Alexandria runs a freelance social media management business while also
being an avid traveler. Alexandria has been recognized with several leadership awards,
including the RI Congressional Leadership Award and the Rhode Island Secretary of
State Civil Leadership Award.
Alexandria has found inspiration from her visits to Washington D.C. during the Cherry
Blossom peak in 2021 and 2023. Reflecting on the bloom's symbolism of collaboration,
peace, and regeneration, she is motivated to leverage her diverse experiences and skills to
make positive impacts locally and beyond.
Support the hundreds of cherry trees along the Blackstone
Purchase a memorial brick and become a visible part of the community by memorializing someone special, honoring a friend or family member, or assuredly leaving your name as someone who cares about the environment and beautification. These handsome bricks will be placed under the beautiful blossoming cherry trees along Roosevelt Avenue in Pawtucket and Central Falls, and seen by residents and visitors for years to come.
All proceeds benefit a landscape improvement fund for the installation and future maintenance of the blossoming Rancho Cherry Trees.
Past RI Cherry Blossom Princesses
Mavy Pineda, 2023
The State Society of Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council announce that Mavy Pineda is the 2023 Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess.
Mavy Pineda is a proud Central Falls resident, but she was born in Guatemala and moved to central falls, Rhode Island when she was only 12, where she currently still resides. Mavy graduated from Central Falls high school in 2018 and then attended the Community College of Rhode Island where she is currently majoring in criminal justice. Mavy Pineda currently serves as the Deputy Director of the City of Central Falls Parks and Recreation Department. Mavy's mission is to continue to give back to her community and empower the next generation of young future leaders. She is proud to represent her city, state, and her Guatemalen roots.
Jessie Santoro, 2022
The State Society of Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council announce that Woonsocket native, Jessie Santoro is the 2022 Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess.
Jessica Lynn Santoro is a proud Woonsocket native and Mount Saint Charles Academy
graduate. Jessica cares deeply about her education and has made it her mission to give
back to her community and empower the next generation of young, future leaders. While
at Mount Saint Charles, Jessica was heavily involved in both academics and
extracurricular activities. She was the captain of both her varsity lacrosse and basketball
teams. She was also an avid participant in the Best Buddies Buddy Program, an
organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates
opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership
development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Most recently, Jessica has become a certified kayak instructor with the
Central Falls Free Youth Kayak program. Jessica is currently a Sophomore at the University of
New England in Biddeford, Maine majoring in Psychology. She is the daughter of
Stephanie Santoro of Woonsocket and Joseph Santoro of Cumberland.
Kelley Ann Babphavong, 2021
The State Society of Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council announce that Woonsocket native, Kelley Ann Babphavong is the 2020 Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess.
Lauren Broccoli, chairwoman of the State Society of Rhode Island, stated, “Kelley possesses a deep appreciation for Rhode Island. She is an inspiring role model for young girls in our state. From her years of excelling at Woonsocket High School to her time at Harvard College, Kelley’s passion for politics and women’s role in diplomatic relations shines through. We are excited to see the amazing things that this young woman’s future holds.”
Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt said, “Kelley Ann Babphavong, with her exceptional, awe-inspiring commitment to public service, scholarly pursuits, international diplomacy and leadership is not only a treasure to our City of Woonsocket but is on her way to becoming an inspiration to the world. Today I congratulate Kelley on representing our city and state as Cherry Blossom princess and someday look forward to congratulating her on her appointment as Senator, Madame Secretary, or President Babphavong!”
Margaret Rogers, 2019
Lauren Broccoli, the Chairwoman of the State Society of Rhode Island stated, "The State Society of Rhode Island is pleased that Margaret Rogers will be our 2019 Cherry Blossom Princess, representing the Ocean State in Washington, D.C. during several formal events at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Through her leadership skills, academic achievements and interest in civic and world affairs, specifically her volunteer work with veterans and her professional endeavors at a non-profit, Margaret embodies the core qualities that the program seeks to advance."
"We are especially pleased with the selection of Margaret Rogers as Rhode Island's Cherry Blossom Princess for 2019. Ms. Rogers will make a great representative for our state. We appreciate everything the State Society of Rhode Island has done to choose her," said Dr. Robert Billington, President of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council".
Michelle Moreno-Silva, 2018
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.
Megan Delaney, 2017
"Meagan makes a great candidate for our 2017 Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess. She is well suited to represent our state and will honor our past Cherry Blossom Princesses with her great ability." said Robert Billington, President of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
Meagan Delaney is a substitute teacher in the Fairfax County, VA school system; and is a graduate student at George Mason University, where she earned her B.A. in Communications in 2015. She is a member of the Japanese National Honor Society since 2012; member of Japanese Club at West Springfield High School 2007-2011 and president from 2009-2011; actor in student-lead Japanese play at George Mason University (GMU) 2012 and 2013, co-director in 2014 and director in 2015; and the recipient of Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion of Japanese Language and Culture award, April 2014 and May 2015 (GMU).
"Being a Cherry Blossom Princess has always been a dream of mine, and I am very excited to be able to represent Rhode Island; I believe it is crucial to share Japanese history and culture, and create a better understanding of it. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity,” Ms. Delaney said upon her selection.
Lauren Ryan, 2016
“We are very excited to have Lauren as our 2016 Cherry Blossom Princess,” said Chris Simeone, the Chairman of the State Society of Rhode Island. “Her academic prowess in the Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) field, numerous leadership roles at George Washington University, and her aspirations to use the Cherry Blossom program to motivate younger generations of women to join the STEM fields, embodies the characteristics we look for to represent Rhode Island.”
Lauren developed an appreciation for Japanese culture while completing a summer internship at the University of Tokyo, through the Amgen Scholars Program. She has also participated in research at a radiation lab at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, as well as spending a summer working for the Rhode Island Department of Health.
“Again, Rhode Island has chosen another wonderful candidate for its Cherry Blossom Princess to represent us on the national stage,” said Robert Billington, President of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. “What particularly impressed our agency was Lauren's interest in engineering. This interest of Lauren's will inspire other young women in Rhode Island to find the Science, Technology, Engineering & Math field as a career path.”
Alexandra Curtis, 2015
Alexandra Curtis graduated from Syracuse University in May 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Political Science and was a member of the Renee Crown University Honors Program. While at Syracuse, she served as the Student Association President in 2013 where she was the student representative to the Board of Trustees, and founded the first women’s leadership week on campus.
After graduating college, Alexandra completed a fellowship through Running Start, an organization that promotes women in politics. Through her fellowship, Alexandra interned for U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).
“The focus of the work I have done has been on women's leadership and empowerment, so the princess program is a natural fit for me,” stated Alexandra.
"The Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess program is important to our state," said Robert Billington, President of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. "It allows young women the chance to learn about our nation, the Japanese culture, and meet young women from around the United States, all interested in a robust cultural exchange.”
Kimberly Kalunian, 2014
Kimberly Kalunian, a native Rhode Islander, is a reporter for WPRI 12 and formerly worked as a new anchor on News Talk 630 WPRO. She is also a former stage actress and proud member of the Actors' Equity Association. Kim is an active member of the community, regularly volunteering for the East Greenwich Animal Protection League. She is on the board of directors for the Miss Rhode Island America scholarship organization and serves as the director of the Miss Rhode Island's Outstanding Teen competition.
Chris Simeone, Chairman of the State Society of Rhode Island, stated that “her passion for the arts and love of giving back to the community are qualities that are very important to us, and epitomize what we look for in a Cherry Blossom Princess.”
"Kimberly Kalunian will make a great representative for Rhode Island. We look forward to her crowning this Spring and ask all Rhode Islander's to congratulate her on this great achievement as she represents our state in 2014", said Robert Billington, President of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
Stacie Waleyko, 2013
Stacy Waleyko is a summa cum laude graduate from the University of Rhode Island, with a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics; and currently works as a software engineer for the 3D Group for Interactive Visualization, in East Greenwich, RI.
“It is an honor for me to represent our beautiful state. I want to serve Rhode Island and our country. I want to give back the happiness, excitement and opportunity that Rhode Island has given me. I’m excited to share with the rest of the nation how wonderful and accomplished our state is and bring home the knowledge and experiences the festival will give me,” Ms. Waleyko said in accepting her new role.
Kara Fluginiti, 2012
Kara Fluginiti is a graduate of Towson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. While at the University she served as the president of the Towson University Chapter of the Golden Key International Honors Society, whose tenets are service, leadership, and scholarship. She also performed as a dancer on Towson University’s Pom Squad, competing at national competitions, as well as men’s and women’s basketball and football games. In the summer of 2011, she taught English in children’s summer camps across Italy, and has pursued her master’s degree in speech language pathology.