Applications available for 2017 Apple Blossom Cotillion

High school senior girls in the communities served by Springfield Hospital and Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) are invited to participate in the 61st annual Apple Blossom Cotillion

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016-11-05 / Local Applications available for 2017 Apple Blossom Cotillion 2016 Apple Blossom Queen, Nicole Murray, and her escort, Christian Terry. — COURTESY 2016 Apple Blossom Queen, Nicole Murray, and her escort, Christian Terry. — COURTESY SPRINGFIELD — High school senior girls in the communities served by Springfield Hospital and Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) are invited to participate in the 61st annual Apple Blossom Cotillion. One of these senior girls will join the select group of Apple Blossom Queens. This special community event continues to be a unique tradition and a rite of passage for area young people. Girls are interviewed by a panel of judges, who consider the contestants' overall confidence and poise. The director of the 2017 Cotillion is Pam Shaughnessy. The master of ceremonies for the 17th consecutive year is Larry Kraft, director of Development for SMCS. Proceeds from the event are used to fund the Dr. E. Sherburne Lovell Health Career Award and to benefit Springfield Hospital and the community health centers of SMCS. An orientation for all parents and participants, including elementary school, will be held on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 at 1 p.m. in the Dressel Gymnasium at Riverside Middle School, Springfield. Weekly rehearsals for high school couples start immediately after that orientation. Rehearsals for elementary school participants start on Sunday, Feb. 26. It all culminates with performances on Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6, 2017. Applications are available at www.springfieldmed.org and at area schools. Applications must be received by Dec. 5. For information, call Larry Kraft, 885-7644, or lkraft@springfieldmed.org .