Butte County Royal Court. 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Miss Butte County Scholarship Program hosted their first Prince/Princess Project since 2016.

On the Saturday morning of January 27th, 2024, two incredible little girls were greeted by limousine to start a magical day. Lincoln Xayrath of Magalia age 8, and Melody Spurgeon age 7 from Gridley, were nominated to be this year’s participants for Princess for a Day.

The day started off with a shared limo ride from their respective homes to the Butte County Fairgrounds. Upon arrival, the girls were greeted by the Butte County Royal Court. After friendly greetings and introductions, the two young girls were adorned with crowns and sashes as Honorary Princesses!

The princesses were greeted with a limousine to start their day.

The two Princesses then enjoyed being pampered with a catered lunch fit for royalty and a fun game of Fairy Bingo. After appetites were sated, the Royal Court assisted the Princesses in crafting their own Friendship Jewelry.  The day of revelry came to a close with gifts and mementos from the Royal Court to each of the newly crowned Princesses, including handwritten cards from 2023 Miss Butte County, Makayla Mellinger.

Melly and Lincoln are natural princesses.

Before bidding farewell, the Honorary Princess and the Butte Royal Court gathered near the limousine for a fun photo-op. Lincoln and Melody will be invited back by the Court to join them in this year’s Biggs 4th of July Parade.

Melly with her fellow princesses.

The Princess Project serves to recognize local youth who’ve overcome great hardship in their lives. The Honorary Princesses were crowned into the local Court due to their courage, strength, kindness, and resilience.

Miss Butte County Scholarship Program Director Raina Wright-Reynolds says, “The honorary princess project is a true representation of our program’s values. During this event, we have the honor of making a positive impact on the lives of youth in Butte County.” She continues, “The two young girls who were nominated for this title have faced challenges that no child should ever have to endure. Despite what they have been through, Lincoln and Melly have shined brightly like the royalty they are.”

Lincoln with her fellow princesses.

None of these events, activities or scholarship programs would be possible without the help of sponsors like Royal Kingdom Transport, The Erickson Family (on behalf of Maybelle), WRR Creations and the Castaneda Cookie Co.

With the return and success of this year’s Princess Project, the Miss Butte County Scholarship hopes to continue hosting this annual event for years to come.

The group of princesses holding hands.