The News-Press was fortunate enough to be granted an audience with this year’s King and Queen for the City of Falls Church’s 27th Annual Memorial Day Parade. In this Q&A with King and Queen Peter Davis and Olivia Scott, we delve into the royal recesses of their minds to see what makes these monarchs for a day tick, and discover why this year’s king might be taking a page from “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”
Falls Church News-Press: How were you chosen to be the king or queen of the Memorial Day Parade?
Olivia: I won the title of Ms. Mason in the Mr. and Ms. Mason competition at my high school. Candidates are nominated by their teachers and asked to participate in a pageant-style event. This includes a talent performance as well as a question and answer session for the finalists.
Peter: Reckless bribery of all the judges at the Mr. Mason competition, the
luck of an appropriate hat to wear during the talent segment
and the good fortune of having a wonderful escort for the formal wear
segment.
FCNP: How did you feel when you first found out about your title?
Olivia: I was honestly a bit surprised at first, but it was definitely a good surprise. I just went up there wanting to have fun.
Peter: Quite pleased … mostly based on the fact that I would be presented with
the Mr. Mason crown by the famed former Mr. Mason, Will Stewart.
FCNP: What does this title mean to you?
Olivia: To be honest, I never knew what the competition really entailed until this year. My junior year was my first at Mason so it has definitely been a pleasure to receive this kind of an honor. I feel like I’ve been here much longer, because I’ve been allowed to become an active member of the school and community.
Peter: It means the bribery was effective.
FCNP: Do you know what you are going to wear for the big day?
Olivia: I haven’t decided yet, but I’m definitely thinking about it. I hear we need to wear business attire. I’ll see what I can find.
Peter: Socks and sandals … maybe pants, weather permitting.
FCNP: If you were actually given the title of king or queen, what would
you do or change?
Olivia: I would probably change the education system somehow. There is too much pressure on students these days. I’ve read a lot about how colleges have found their incoming freshmen burnt out from high school!
Peter: I’d bring back some progressivism and compassion to America, roll back
rampant development in Falls Church and cancel “American Idol.”
FCNP: Who of past or present monarchs do you best identify with?
Olivia: I don’t really know.
Peter: The monarchical Lyndon B. Johnson.
FCNP: If you could rule over any part of your school, where would it be and why?
Olivia: The cafeteria. The lines get really long sometimes.
Peter: The cafeteria, so I could demand Spaghetti Thursdays be extended to everyday.
FCNP: Who is more excited to ride in the back of the convertible?
Peter: The convertible excited Olivia. The general concept of the parade
naturally excited me.
Olivia: I think Pete is because Memorial Day has definitely been a passion of his for a long time. In fact, the first thing he said to me after we won was, “We get to be in Memorial Day Parade!”
FCNP: If you could rule over any country, where would it be and why?
Peter: I’d say Ireland, because it’s my favorite country (aside from America,
of course). However, ruling over Ireland didn’t work out that well
for the British … so I guess I would settle for New Zealand. The sheep
would listen to me.
Olivia: Well, it’s always been my dream to go to Korea, since I’m half Korean, so I guess I would get to spend a good amount of time there if I was ruling it.
FCNP: If you were actually a king or queen how would you rule?
Peter: Unreasonably … yet kindly.
Olivia: I would probably be pretty light-hearted. I love to have fun so the whole evil dictator doesn’t really apply to me.
FCNP: If given a crown how often would you choose to wear it?
Peter: Tuesday mornings and Sunday nights, excluding federal holidays.
Olivia: Most likely only for formal occasions or special appearances. I can’t wear it on the soccer field that’s for sure! [Editor’s Note: Scott is a member of the Bull Run District Champion GMHS girls varsity soccer team.]
FCNP: What personality traits would you look for in a king or queen?
Olivia: A king or queen needs to be trustworthy, selfless, and a leader who gains his/her authority based on peoples’ respect.
Peter: All the wonderful grace and spirit that Olivia possesses.
FCNP: What royal pampering will you have done for your big day?
Olivia: I could definitely think of some things I would like to have done (like a manicure or a hair appointment) but I think the convertible ride is the biggest treat I’ll receive.
Peter: I intend to shower after the 3K fun run.
FCNP: What aspects of the parade are you most looking forward to?
Olivia: Chicken on a stick!
Peter: The Baltimore Step Dancers, Underdog, Operation Earthwatch, and of
course, the Kena Shriners tiny-car drivers. [Ed. Note: For a full behind-the-scenes briefing on those cars, see pages S-12 and S-13 of this supplement.]
FCNP: If you could choose any building in the world to be your castle
which would you choose and why?
Peter: Falls Church’s own Anthony’s, because of the immense power would come with the pizza.
Olivia: I used to live in Luxembourg and the residence of the Duke and Duchess was beautiful! I would love to live in a place like that. But I would probably have a lot of people come and live with me because it is so big!
FCNP: What family member or friend would you model your rule after and why?
Peter: My mom, because she is kind, loving and always knows the right thing to do.
Olivia: I would probably model my rule after one of my closest friends, Nicole. She has one of the biggest hearts I have ever encountered and her care for other people is something everyone can feel welcomed by.
FCNP: How will you celebrate after the parade?
Peter: Chicken on a stick, two funnel cakes and four lemonades.
Olivia: I will be playing soccer for Mason High School’s varsity team. We have a game that day.
FCNP: Besides being crowned king or queen, what is an accomplishment
you are proud of?
Peter: Being able to experience wonderful classmates and teachers throughout
these last 13 years in Falls Church schools.
Olivia: I’m really happy that I’ve recently been accepted into Messiah College in Pennsylvania to play on their varsity soccer team next year.
FCNP: If given one, what would your coat of arms contain?
Olivia: A soccer ball, a cross and maybe a globe because I have moved around a lot.
Peter: A large bottle of Memphis Barbecue Sauce and a picture of my dog, Chloe.
FCNP: After high school where will you choose to rule?
Peter: The great state of Massachusetts.
Olivia: I don’t know what I’m going to study or do after college, but I do know that Messiah is going to be a great place for me to spend the next four years of my life.
