From left: Kelly Walton, Kimberly Sasaki, Michiko Maggi, Tiffany Okimura, Jamie Martyn.

SAN FRANCISCO — Five candidates for the title of 2013 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen were announced on March 16 in Japantown.

Following are brief profiles. “Creative expression” refers to the talent each will perform during the queen program.

• Michiko Marie Maggi (マジー・みちこマリー)

Residence: San Francisco

Age: 25

Parents: John Maggi and Cathy Maggi of Pleasant Hill

Education: Acalanes High school, University of the Pacific (master’s degree in educational leadership)

Hobbies/interests: Arts, civic engagement, recreation, research

Professional ambition/goals in life: To receive her doctorate in educational leadership and open up a non-profit

Creative expression: Film

Sponsor: Benihana

• Jamie Sachiko Martyn (マーティン・ジェイミー紗智子)

Residence: San Francisco

Age: 24

Parents: Thomas Martyn and Taeko Martyn of Tokyo

Education: Westfield High School, Virginia Tech (bachelor’s degree in international relations)

Hobbies/interests: Being involved, doodling, hanging out, learning, running

Professional ambition/goals in life: To become a children’s book illustrator and public affairs diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Creative expression: Drawing

Sponsor: Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California

• Tiffany Sieu Okimura (おきむらティファニー シゥ)

Residence: Foster City

Age: 22

Parents: Rickey Okimura and Cecilia Okimura of Foster City

Education: San Mateo High School, UC Santa Barbara (bachelor’s degree in sociology)

Hobbies/interests: Baking, Giants baseball, photography, swimming, travel

Professional ambition/goals in life: To always be happy and positive, to always live life to the fullest

Creative expression: Odori dance

Sponsor: Takara Sake USA Inc.

• Kimberly Miya Sasaki (佐々木キンバリーみや)

Residence: San Francisco

Age: 24

Parents: Gary Sasaki and Denise Sasaki of San Francisco

Education: Lowell High School, UC Davis (bachelor’s degree in animal biology)

Hobbies/interests: Dance, film, hiking, music, yoga

Professional ambition/goals in life: To work as a psychiatric pharmacist

Creative expression: Jazz dance

Sponsor: Nikkei Lions Club of San Francisco

• Kelly Yuka Walton (ウォルトン・ケリー 夕花)

Residence: San Francisco

Age: 25

Parents: David Walton and Machiko Nakatani of San Francisco

Education: Lowell High School, Stanford University (master’s degree in education)

Hobbies/interests: Dance, discussing social issues, reading, volunteering, travel

Professional ambition/goals in life: To continue in education as a teacher, principal or politician

Creative expression: Modern dance

Sponsor: Kagami Kai

The new queen will be crowned on April 13, the first day of the 46th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco Japantown. For more information on the festival, visit http://sfcherryblossom.org/.