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| MISSED BY MANY: Mount Tahoma Daffodil princess, Brianne Shaw, kisses her hand and places it on the portrait of Alexandra cole. There were originally 24 princesses, but instead 23 princesses were left in shock. |
The Daffodil parade usually consists of many smiling and friendly faces from various High Schools. Tragically this year, part of that was absent due to a saddening incident that impacts everyone that is a part of Daffodil history in some way, shape, or form. Alexandria Cole, Daffodil princess representative of Chief Leschi High School, passed away just days before the 79 annual Daffodil parade of this year.
It was just three days before the parade that Cole was found dead in her own apartment with a gunshot in her head and a gun in her lap. The Puyallup Tribal Police and the FBI have considered the death of the young adult as an apparent suicide. Although, many found this news hard to believe, as Cole never showed signs of harming herself in any way. The senior of Chief Leschi High School helped contribute to the community, being involved with leadership activities, volleyball, and boxing. Cole had also planned to attend Washington State University to become a registered nurse. On top of that, she was also very friendly and laughed and smiled with everyone. The young adult had a bright future ahead of her, and sadly her life was cut too short.
When it came time for the Daffodil parade, the show still went on. Over 40 float entries sailed through the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting, as well as over 80 other entries. There was joyfulness, as well as sadness mixed in due to the absence of Cole. Although, she wasn’t fully absent. The Queen float had a portrait of Cole on her own seat, with dozens of yellow daffodils right below her photo. The 22 other princesses also wore golden ribbons on their sashes, as well as buttons displaying Cole’s photo. The other princesses were not able to take this easily, being in complete disbelief. Franklin Pierce’s own Daffodil princess, Tessa Shull, was one of those 22 girls. Shull, and the rest of her Daffodil sisters, cried uncontrollably when they were informed about Cole’s passing, and also shared their favorite memories with the Daffodil princess. Due to the incident, Shull also predicts that “Alex’s death will bring a certain unity beyond what was already present, and I think the support staff will be asking future princesses how they are feeling and be more open and talk more intimately.” Shull may be onto something. Another FPHS member who was hit hard at the news was Amy Utecht, who was the Daffodil princess coordinator for Franklin Pierce for four years. Utecht has noticed the high rate of suicides taking place, and also notices how the county is making an effort to create prevention programs and counseling. “With how high profile she was in the community something had to be done. I hope it leads to more prevention programs and just awareness of the warning signs so that we can prevent future suicides” states Utecht on Cole’s death.
Family members, Daffodil princesses, and a wide variety of others in the community have been deeply impacted from the death of the young Daffodil princess, Alexandria Cole. Her outgoing personality and compassion for others has affected many, and will be missed by many. Hopefully, as Shull and Utecht stated, there will be more awareness brought to people’s eyes and help prevent suicides not only in the Daffodil members, but to the whole community as well.
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