Stratford junior crowned 2015 Cherry Blossom Queen

A junior from Statford Academy was crowned the 2015 Cherry Blossom Queen.

Jaedyn Ellis, 16, who is captain of the Central Georgia Volleyball Association, was chosen from a field of 18 contestants Saturday at Porter Auditorium of Wesleyan College.

“I feel so amazed. I was not expecting to do this well,” Jaedyn said after posing for pictures with the royal court. “I love all these girls. I think we’re all amazing and worthy of this crown.”

Jaedyn is the daughter of Doctors Janine and Kris Ellis.

Valerie Davis, of Warner Robins, who attends Veterans High School, was chosen first runner-up and Cherry Blossom Princess.

Kiara George, of Westside High School was crowned second runner-up and will also serve on the royal court.

Stratford Academy’s Tolu Sogade was chosen third runner-up and Stratford schoolmate Savannah Alday will serve fourth runner up.

The contestants voted Mount de Sales senior Kimberly Cunard as Miss Congeniality.

During Saturday’s pageant, Rudine Wynn, of Macon was crowned 2015 Cherry Blossom Senior Queen and Jean McCarty Ivey, of Macon, was crowned the 2015 Senior Princess.

The court will serve as ambassadors during the festival which runs from March 19 until April 4.

This story was originally published January 24, 2015 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Stratford junior crowned 2015 Cherry Blossom Queen ."