Hi-Yu, the organization responsible for West Seattle Hi-Yu summer celebration in July and coordination of the election of local royalty is making a few changes this year in terms of timing for their Scholarship Program and how those nominated and elected will represent the organization during the year.

According to Hi-Yu spokesperson Deena Joanis-Mahn they are "moving our Scholarship Program and Coronation to later in the year. In the past our candidates have been selected in February and then represent our service clubs throughout the summer at the many West Seattle Events with the royalty being crowned in July.

The royalty that is crowned in July does not represent West Seattle Hi-Yu until the following summer with the Queen moving onto to Seafair the year after that, this is a huge time commitment for the girls and one that is getting more and more difficult year after year.

We decided to revamp our program to bring us in line with what the other programs in the region are doing. We will be sending out our applications in the fall/early winter this year and then crowning our royalty in the Spring 2012, these ladies will then represent us next summer!

We are hoping that we can generate more candidates with the shorter time commitment and we also feel it is a time for change!

Our Junior Court Coronation will be held as normal this July 15th at the Hiawatha kid's Fun Festival, applications will be available at the Street Fair or interested girl's can email us at wshiyu@yahoo.com.

We are also in need of a Candidate Coordinator and Volunteers to be a part of our Scholarship Program Team. Many of the normal events that our candidates take part in will be changing and we are open to ideas and suggestions. Planning has already begun but again interestedparties can email us at wshiyu@yahoo.com."

Hi-Yu is a non-profit organization, established in 1934 by West Seattle's service clubs to produce a summer festival to promote the West Seattle Community.

The annual Hi-Yu Summer Festival is held throughout the month of July. Dozens of events occur all around West Seattle during this time. The kick-off event is the Seattle Seafair Pirates Landing at Alki Beach, and it finishes at the end of the month with the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Program and the Seafair Torchlight Parade. Named in 1934 (16 years prior to Seafair), in a community contest, Hi-Yu means "much, plenty, abundance" in native Chinook jargon.