MARYSVILLE – Jodi Hiatt, president of Maryfest, the volunteer organization that runs the Marysville Strawberry Festival, brought this year’s royalty candidates in for school board judging prior to its regular meeting Monday.

Hiatt said the candidates only had five weeks to prepare, compared with 12 in previous years.

The five girls and one boy told the board about themselves.

•Emma Burkett, a Marysville Getchell junior, said she is interested in taking elementary education at Everett Community College. A National Honor Society member, she said she loves to serve others.

•Cassandra Kunselman, another MG junior, said she is a Running Start student who wants a degree in business and fashion. She’s wanted to be Strawberry royalty since the third grade, and was on the junior royalty at age 12. She’s also a Community Service Award winner.

•Katelynn Melohusky, a senior at M-P, said she wants to go to Western Washington and major in computer science. She volunteers as a math tutor at Grove Elementary School. She’s a drum major for the marching band and has gone to state twice in golf.

•Kaitlyn Norris, a junior at M-P, is involved with JROTC, where she has learned leadership skills and gained confidence. She is involved in the armed drill team and enjoys helping others.

•Nathan Weller, the only boy, is a junior at MG. He is on the marching band drum line, and plans to study music education in college. He is on the NHS board and volunteers at Pinewood Elementary.

•Eleanor Wilde, an M-P senior, also is involved with ROTC and is on the color guard and drill teams. She also has an after-school job and has volunteered with community groups such as Soroptimists, VFW and the American Legion.