The community can appreciate the time and effort that the Fathoms o’ Fun Festival royalty contributes to Port Orchard and South Kitsap.

This year is the 48th year of the Fathoms o’ Fun Festival Association, which was founded in 1968.

At almost every community event — large or small — at least one member of the 2014 Fathoms court was in attendance. The court — dressed in formal attire, casual or costume — always enjoyed interacting with the community.

From the time of their coronation, Queen Devenn Miller and Princesses Soriandy Sutman and Sami Newhouse jumped into their responsibilities of representing the Fathoms o’ Fun Festival Association in parades and at community, city and school events.

This was no small matter: The Fathoms o’ Fun Association presents 14 family events during the year, all geared toward building community life — including the Grand Parade, scholarship pageant, summer concerts, a craft and vendor show, a street fair, children’s events, and an award-winning community festival float which appears in parades throughout the state and beyond.

Fathoms o’ Fun also contributes to the economy in a big way. The centerpiece of its annual programs is the Fourth of July Sinclair Inlet Fireworks Show, sponsored by Wave Broadband. The event draws crowds of at least 60,000.

Serving as Fathoms o’ Fun royalty involves sacrifice — time away from family and friends, school activities, and social life. Serving as royalty shows commitment and maturity; the experience builds self-confidence and poise.

Aaron Thomas, 2013 Fathoms o’ Fun king, jumped back into the royalty mix, serving as ambassador for part of 2015 after a member of the court was unable to fulfill her obligations.

Selecting the royal court is no easy task. This year’s panel of judges did an outstanding job of selecting a senior royal court: Queen Charlotte Whitten, and Princesses Cheyenne Werbelo and Tamara Medal. Sutman stays on for another year as the court’s duchess, another great choice. The junior court consists of Madilynn Mackie, Maria Hoyt and Alli Newhouse.

Fathoms chairwoman Sharron King and royalty director Helene Jensen have another year of helping young people grow into confident and polished representatives of the community.

Good luck, 2015 royalty. This is your time to shine.