RIPON – As a lifelong Ripon resident, Megan Kuhn has nothing but fond memories of growing up around the Almond Blossom Festival.
And now she’s hoping she’ll be the one tapped to represent it.

The Ripon High School junior is currently one of six girls vying for the title of Miss Ripon in the Almond Blossom Queen Court – joining Annaliese Ippolito, Karena Stephens, Chantyl Vasquez, Sarah Ambrose, and Joie Darretta in the quest to don the sash and crown.

“I grew up in Ripon, and I’ve always looked up to the Almond Queen candidates,” Kuhn said. “One thing that I really like about the Almond Blossom Festival is seeing so many people come together for that weekend.”

Just a few years ago Kuhn was one of the people marching in the annual Almond Blossom Parade representing local Girl Scouts, and there wasn’t a year that passed that she didn’t look forward to the carnival rolling through town.

The daughter of Ben and Shannon Kuhn, Megan watched last year as fellow JROTC members Alex Peralta, Courtney Netjes, and Michelle Ambrose all participated – looking forward to the day she would be able to turn in her own application and be part of the tradition.

“They all seemed to have a good time when they participated last year,” Kuhn said. “I knew then that it was something that I wanted to do, and I’m glad that it’s something that I have the chance to be a part of.”

Kuhn says she’s looking forward to getting to know the other girls involved – only knowing Sarah Ambrose out of the group that will be formally introduced to the public on Thursday when they give their speeches about the impacts of scouting in the community after the annual Almond Blossom kick-off dinner at the Ripon Community Center.

The dinner begins at 7 p.m.

When she isn’t busy with her school work, Kuhn stays occupied through community involvement that includes canned food drives, Toys for Tots, the Lions Club spaghetti dinner and also teaches tae kwon do.

She plans on going to college to study to become a journalist or doctor, and enjoys flying, soccer, tae kwon do, swimming, hiking, and playing music on her spare time.

The 2010 Ripon Almond Blossom Festival will begin on Thursday, Feb. 25, with the crowning of the 2010 Miss Almond Blossom at the Community Center. The carnival and the festival will begin on Friday, with the parade to begin on Saturday morning.