Springfield 8th Grader Named A Junior Cherry Blossom Princess

The National Conference of State Societies has named Elena Leopold of Springfield a 2018 Junior Cherry Blossom Princess.

Elena Leopold, 13, is an eighth grader at Holmes Intermediate. Before Holmes, Elena was selected for the Spanish Immersion program at Bailey's Elementary for the Arts & Sciences and is bilingual in English and Spanish. At Holmes, Elena has served on the Student Council. She is an Honor Roll student and most recently was selected for membership into the National Junior Honor Society. This month, Elena will be singing as part of a select Quartet at the District X State Assessment. Additionally, she has performed on stage in many school plays with the Holmes Theater Department.

After Holmes, Elena looks forward to attending Annandale High School and is considering UVA for college, where two cousins currently attend. She aspires to become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

Outside of school, Elena is an active volleyball player and participates at the Club level, playing on the NOVA Comets 14's Team. She loves riding horses. She has also been a Dive Team member at the North Springfield Swim Club. Elena previously served as a Safety Patrol, earning their Merit Award and was a Girl Scout through the Cadette Level.

Elena is the daughter of Arminn Leopold and Julie Stock-Leopold.

The National Conference of State Societies sponsors a number of events for the Cherry Blossom Princesses and Junior Princesses during the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC. The 2018 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen will be crowned at a reception April 13.

Image courtesy Julie Leopold