About NCSSToday NCSS sponsors a series of events that highlight educational and cultural exchange and leadership for young women. The Cherry Blossom Princess Program ("Aspiring Leadership and Empowering Young Women") comprises college students and young professionals selected by state/territorial societies and embassies to represent their culture in the nation’s capital and abroad. Celebrating Washington DC’s cherry blossoms is a cooperative effort of many organizations including the Embassy of Japan, the Mayor’s office, the National Park Service, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., the Japan America Society of Washington DC, and NCSS, just to mention a few.National Conference of State SocietiesNCSS_38771558-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea00The National Conference of State Societies (NCSS) is the non-profit, voluntary umbrella association for state and territorial societies in the National Capital Region. At one time or another, all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories: American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) have had active societies...The NCSS continues to be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)4 tax-exempt, non-profit organization, with a 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation, which was approved by the IRS in 1970.President Harry TrumanOfficers of individual State Societies first gathered informally in the late 1930s in order to exchange ideas and programs. The informal association of state officers became the formal NCSS organization on April 3, 1952 when President Harry Truman signed Public Law 82-293 that gave a congressional charter to the Conference of State Societies.Mayor Yukio OzakiCherry blossoms are a widely recognized symbol of spring celebrated across the world. For Washington, DC, in recognition of the 3,000 flowering cherry trees gifted to the United States by Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912, the cherry blossoms are symbols of international friendship and cooperation. NCSS is proud to be a part of celebrating the friendship and cooperation the cherry blossoms represent and what they mean to the nation's capital.D.C. CommissionersIn cooperation with the D.C. Commissioners and the Washington Board of Trade, to promote peaceful relations with Japan, the state societies helped to re-launch the first post-World War II Cherry Blossom Festival in 1948 and restarted the pre-war tradition of sponsoring state Cherry Blossom Princesses and the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen.Washington Board of TradeJapanNCSS LeadersPete BerlowitzPresidentMary O'DonovanVP ExternalAthena SchritzVP Festival ChairAylene MafnasTreasurerDiana TappertVP CommunicationsBill ChristianPast PresidentLou BarrettSecretaryGary DevermanVP InternalAkiko KeeneHonorary Chair for International AffairsGigi Galbraith Princess ProgramMorgan DoggettJR. Princess ProgramAkiko KeeneLantern LightingOlivia CoxGrand BallMaddie MeiningerGrand BallTeresa Downs ParadeElina AhziCongressional ReceptionSarah CowardCongressional ReceptionTeri GalvezKimono Fashion ShowSakura MatsuriJennifer ErwinProgram GuideGedalia VeraPhotographerAllie NelsonVolunteer Mgmt.Nicole NeilsonVolunteer Mgmt.Pete CamitMilitary LiaisonSuzanne NewSilent Auction_3877165c-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea00_3877171a-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea00Cherry Blossom Festival_387718be-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea001Washington DC Cherry Blossom FestivalPrincess ProgramEnable young women from across the U.S. and around the world to come together and network_3877197c-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea001.1Cherry Blossom PrincessesThese young women representatives are called “Cherry Blossom Princesses.” Today more than 3,000 young women have participated in the NCSS Cherry Blossom Princess Education and Cultural Exchange Program since 1948, including daughters of presidents, congressmen and senators. The princess program continues to inspire women of accomplishment.Pi Alpha Kappa Cherry Blossom Princess SororityThe Pi Alpha Kappa Cherry Blossom Princess Sorority includes Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Shannon Vinson, a Captain in the USAF.Shelley Moore CapitoLisa MurkowskiShannon VinsonFemale Role ModelsThe mission of the program is to have the Cherry Blossom Princesses participate in educational, leadership, and cultural activities as they serve their nation and respective state, territory or embassy in a “Washington Classroom,” by introducing the princesses to many government, cultural, military, business leaders, and female role models, who work in the nation’s capitol. In the past decade, the princesses have met with First Lady Laura Bush; former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi; Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson; Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton; Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; Naval Commander Yvette Brownwhaller; Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught; Red Cross President and CEO Dr. Bernadine Healey, among others.The Cherry Blossom Princess Education and Cultural Exchange Program is a week-long opportunity for young women from across the U.S. and around the world to come together and network. Since 1948, state and territorial societies, as well as the international embassy community, have selected accomplished young women between the ages of 19 and 24 for their academic achievement, exceptional poise and appearance, excellent interpersonal communication skills, leadership, interest in social, civic, community and world affairs with a strong desire to serve others through community service, maturity and responsibility, and to:RepresentationRepresent the National Conference of State Societies and Cherry Blossom Princess Program by actively supporting these organizations’ mission, values, and goals._38771a26-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea001.1.1Outreach & ServiceServe by attending and actively participating in NCSS and Princess Program community outreach initiatives as well as by serving at required events and social functions._38771ae4-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea001.1.2Learning & VolunteeringLearn by taking advantage of opportunities for broadening personal development, volunteerism, and community involvement._38771b98-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea001.1.3Fun & FriendshipHave fun and make new friends through festival volunteerism – one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of participation in the National Cherry Blossom Princess program._38771c56-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea001.1.4Junior Princess ProgramAllows sisters of princesses, our Princess Alumnae families and members of state and territorial societies to participate_38771d14-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea001.2A new program that began in 2012 is our Junior Cherry Blossom Princess Program. This was in the pilot stages for 2 years and it was officially launched in 2012. The Junior Princess Program allows sisters of princesses, our Princess Alumnae families and members of state and territorial societies to participate in the ticketed activities as well. As a special addition, they are individually introduced for the first time at the Princess Tea where they receive their sash and tiara from the U.S. and Japan Cherry Blossom Queens. They also got to participate in the USO Care Package Stuffing event at Ft. Belvoir in 2012, visited the Children's Museum in 2013 and are always collectively recognized as a group at each of the NCSS events. ​State and Territorial Societies can have more than one Junior Cherry Blossom Princess, it is not limited. The beginning age is 5 so she can walk on stage independently to receive her sash and tiara. The ending age is 16 years old. This year, Junior Princesses will receive their sashes at Princess Orientation on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the Hotel. Please arrive at 10:00am in order to be seated for the presentation ceremony. Stay tuned for other special events involving the Junior Princess during the Festival week and make sure to take advantage of the special pricing at the NCSS events for children, including our Junior Princesses.SororityProvides Cherry Blossom Princess Alumnae an avenue to share memories, make new friendships, and give back to the community_38771dd2-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea001.3Pi Alpha Kappa SororityOn May 22, 1963, a new chapter in the Cherry Blossom Princess Program began with the founding of the Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority or Prigkippissa Anthous Kerasias, “Daughters of the Cherry Blossom.” Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority is a permanent organization comprised of Cherry Blossom Princesses, past, present, and future, regardless of race, religion, or creed. For many years the sorority has been active and an important part of the lives of Cherry Blossom Princesses and the National Cherry Blossom Festival®. Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority provides Cherry Blossom Princess Alumnae with an avenue to share memories, make new friendships, and give back to the community. Membership in ΠAK is automatic when you are chosen by your state, territory, or embassy as a Cherry Blossom Princess. To celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Sorority, a sorority pin was commissioned in 2012 and given to all princesses, past and present at the closing ceremony. This traditional will live on each year at the closing ceremony and be given to each class as they close out the week as princesses and become Sorority Princesses.Awards_38771e90-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea002Haines AwardRecognize outstanding State and Territorial Societies_38771f62-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea002.1Haines AwardeesFlorida State Society2019Illinois State Society2018American Samoa Society2017Virgin Islands Association2016Illinois State Society2015New Jersey State Society2014Guam Society of America2013Maine State Society1993Virginia State Society1979Illinois State Society1978West Virginia State Society1977Massachusetts State Society1976Vermont State Society1975North Carolina Society1974Guam Territorial Society1973Ohio State Society1972Massachusetts State Society1971Tennessee State Society1970Pennsylvania State Society1969Alaska State Society1968Florida State Society1967Kentucky State Society1966Hawaii State Society1965New York State Society1964The Roy C. Haines Award -- About the Award - The Roy C. Haines Award is given to the State Society or Territorial Society that: Best PracticesDemonstrate sustained best organizational practices resulting in a viable and active society_3877202a-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea002.1.1NCSS ProgramsSupport and participate in NCSS programs, projects, and activities_38772106-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea002.1.2ConnectionsConnect with the home state entities either located in the state or the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area_387721ec-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea002.1.3Special ProjectsSponsors special projects, programs, or activities of a community-service nature reflecting credit on the society, its members and by extension on the NCSS_387722d2-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea002.1.4Rhoads AwardRecognize individuals who have contributed significantly to success of the National Conference of State Societies_387723ae-16ee-11eb-8e44-56a60483ea002.2Rhoads AwardeesBill Christian2019 (Texas State Society)Teresa Downs2018 (Delaware State Society)Diane Parrot2017 (Virgin Islands Association)Isapela Coggins2016 (Guam Society of America)Dee Dee Fusco2015 (Maine State Society)Nancy Fatemi2014 (New Jersey State SocietyThe Mark Q. Rhoads Volunteer of the Year Award -- About the Award - The Mark Q. Rhoads Volunteer of Year Award is given to an individual that has contributed significantly to success of the National Conference of State Societies (NCSS). Mark Q. Rhoads served for one year as the President of the Illinois State Society and three years as the President of the NCSS. 2020-10-25https://www.statesocieties.org/aboutOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net