Community, Creativity, and Mental Health: A Princess with Purpose
In this month’s “Once a Princess, Always a Princess: Alumna Spotlight”, we’re introducing you to Orting 2012 Alumna, Morgan (Butler-Koler) Bernardi.
Morgan’s journey with the Daffodil Festival began about 10 years before she ever wore a crown. After moving to Orting in the second grade, she quickly became immersed in the community and traditions of the Festival. As a drumline member of Orting’s School Bands throughout middle and high school, she was no stranger to the parade routes or the sound of celebration. Her family played an active role in the Orting Community Float Committee, giving her a firsthand look at the behind-the-scenes work that brings the magic of the Festival to life each year.
“It takes a lot of money, sweat, and ingenuity to make these floats happen—typically right down to the wire,” Morgan shared. “That early exposure gave me such a deep respect for the heart and effort behind each parade entrant.”
To Morgan, the Daffodil Festival has always been about more than parades and appearances. Growing up, it was a full day of celebration in the city park—music, booths, the Lions Club BBQ, drumline battles, and neighbors gathering in the community. “Marching in the parades was thrilling, hard work, and I loved spending time with my friends and classmates on the parade routes.”
It wasn’t until she was on the Royal Court as Orting’s Daffodil Princess in 2012 that she developed a deeper understanding of the Festival’s legacy. “The Daffodil Festival is composed of a core set of volunteers who have a deep desire to serve the communities they hold dear, while upholding a nearly century-old tradition in Pierce County. Through the decades, these people have watched as our towns turn into cities, fields turn into neighborhoods, and princesses turn into adults. It’s so much more than four parades in one day—it’s about celebrating Pierce County and the people who call it home.”
Children Leave a Lasting Impression
One of her favorite memories from her year came over the course of volunteering with the Boys and Girls Clubs in Tacoma. “There was one elementary-aged girl who was very shy, but interacted with me on several occasions,” she recalls. “A few weeks in, she opened up and even asked us to come and dance with her while music was playing. Seeing her bloom with so much confidence – with a spirit that shone so bright – really influenced how I choose to interact with others, especially children, to this day.”
She continues, “Giving young children the time of day, physically getting down to their level and really speaking to them can reinforce their self-confidence—and in some cases even their sense of self-worth.”
Using Creativity to Support Others
Professionally, Morgan is a marketing consultant and graphic designer. She works as a contract Digital Marketing Manager for small businesses and is also a freelance graphic designer and web developer. Her career allows her to collaborate with businesses and organizations that are passionate about community enrichment—values that align seamlessly with her continued involvement in the Daffodil Festival.
Since becoming a Daffodilian, Morgan has served in several roles: 2020 Alumni Liaison, 2021–2024 Director of Communications, and now a 2025 Board Member at Large. As a military spouse who moves frequently, she values the ability to continue supporting the Festival remotely. “It’s a joy to still contribute, even from afar.” She works to support the Festival’s Communications Team, Board, and runs the Daffodil Festival Website.
Morgan is also the creative force behind the Festival’s themed logos and graphics. Each year, she gives her time to collaborate with the incoming President-Elect to capture their vision for the theme and transform it into visuals that resonate. “Something about branding and logo design is that even if you have a specific taste or style as a designer—you need to find your best way to translate your client’s vision while creating imagery that’s true to their brand and audience. Each of these logos was a labor of love to embody the vision each president held for their year.”
Special projects she’s especially proud of are the Daffodil Festival’s semi-truck wrap, financially made possible by the support of the Puyallup Tribe. “It’s one of my largest-scale designs, and I’m absolutely tickled when people share photos of it!”, as well as the 2025 Pierce Transit bus signs that made their way around the county promoting this year’s grand floral parade.
Life Lessons, Loss, and Chosen Family
The Festival has also played a role in some of Morgan’s most formative life lessons. “I gained a deep appreciation for the many roles a true public servant plays and the diverse communities they serve. Coming from a small town like Orting, you typically recognize most of the people you see when speaking or performing. But in 2012, we had countless opportunities to step beyond our comfort zones—whether that meant reading at libraries, volunteering at World Vision, meeting government and civic leaders, or learning from the Afifi Shriners.”
In 2012 it was the first year Daffodil Princesses were bestowed the title of “Official Ambassadors of Pierce County, Washington,” where the County acknowledge The Daffodil Princesses profound impact on our community’s spirit and unity.
She explains, “Those experiences gave me a multifaceted understanding of Pierce County and Western Washington. It expanded my worldview and shaped a more empathetic me.”
But perhaps the most profound moment from her year came in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy. “In 2012, our court experienced an unimaginable loss—one of our fellow princesses passed away just days before the Grand Floral Parade,” Morgan remembers. “In the midst of that dark hour, the Festival did everything in its power to bring us together, sharing the news in a safe, supportive space and bringing in the Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplains to help guide us through our grief.”
“It was, and still is, one of the hardest things many of us have ever faced. That experience left a bittersweet mark on our year, but it also created a deep sense of unity and compassion that has stayed with many of us.”
Over time, Morgan’s bond with her fellow court members—and the larger Daffodil family—only deepened. “Even now, when I return to town with my five-year-old twins, we always visit my former chaperone Anitra and fellow Daffodilian Bob Sudderth. My kids love riding Bob’s tractor around their property or playing in their home. Bob and Anitra also attended my wedding and going-away party when we moved—reminders of how deeply this community continues to show up.”
The Birth of Alex’s Promise
In the years following their reign, one name continued to echo in the hearts of the 2012 Court members: Alexandria Tyler Cole, the radiant Chief Leschi Princess who died by suicide in 2012. “Alex was pure light—funny, thoughtful, proud of her heritage, resilient and endlessly kind. Her absence left a hole in our hearts that never fully healed.”
Morgan reflects, “If someone as beloved and outwardly joyful as Alex could be silently struggling, then anyone could. High-performing students, athletes, and leaders often carry a quiet burden, feeling like they have to keep it all together, even when they’re battling internally.”
As life went on—college, marriage, parenting—members of the court stayed loosely connected, but the desire to do something in Alex’s memory never left them. When Morgan reconnected with the Festival in 2020, it sparked a meaningful path forward. In 2021, alongside fellow 2012 Lakes Princess Madison (Newberry) Riddle, Morgan helped launch Alex’s Promise.
The initiative was made possible by Pierce County Council’s funding, dedicated to anti-violence efforts for youth in unincorporated areas. “That’s how Alex’s Promise was born,” she says. “We wanted to build something that would serve others facing similar struggles—a promise to ourselves, our sisters, brothers, friends, and communities. A reminder that every person is worthy of empathy, support, and belonging.”
The program equips Daffodil Royalty and festival members with tools to recognize mental health warning signs, understand coping strategies, and connect others to real resources. “We’re not mental health professionals,” Morgan says. “But anyone can be a compassionate connector and a trusted voice in their community.”
“If we can help even one person feel less alone, then this promise is already doing what we hoped it would.”
If you’re looking for a way to make a difference—whether for yourself, your loved ones, or your neighbors—visit alexspromise.com for mental health resources and information.
After serving as Orting High School’s 2012 Daffodil Princess, Morgan earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Washington, where she was a member of the Husky Marching Band Drumline and a leader in Kappa Kappa Psi. She’s since moved from Washington to Alaska, Maryland, and now lives in Texas with her husband and twin boys, where she continues to grow her design business, discover local coffee shops, and stay connected to the Festival that helped shape her story.
