Sean C. Morgan
The 2013 Sportsman’s Holiday Court has undergone some changes this year.
Among them, each princess now has her own sponsor(s), announced last week during an orientation meeting with the princesses and their parents on April 17.
Sponsors will provide wardrobe, including sashes and tiara; travel and meal costs; and a base scholarship of $200.
Princess Alex Olin is sponsored by Craig Fentiman Farmer’s Insurance and The Point Restaurant. Princess Hannah Mather is sponsored by Keller Williams Sherri Gregory Home Team.
Princess Haley Hawkins is sponsored by the Sweet Home Kiwanis Club. Princess Briana Warth is sponsored by Sweet Home Sanitation. Princess Brittany Poteet is sponsored by Robert L. Pickett Trucking, Inc., and Sweet Home Timber Management.
“Normally, the girls are expected to go get sponsorships,” said Coordinator Wendy Smith. “The committee said, ‘We want to help.’”
At each event the court attends, each princess will introduce her sponsor, Smith said. Sponsors’ names will appear on court members’ sashes.
Each princess is expected to learn about her sponsor(s) so she can talk about them, Smith said. The court will attend meetings in the community, including the Chamber of Commerce Board, School Board, Rotary Club, City Council and Kiwanis as well as attend events in and around the Sweet Home area.
“These outstanding young ladies will serve as wonderful ambassadors to Sweet Home,” Smith said.
An additional goal of this year’s changes was to boost the scholarships for the Sportman’s Holiday Court, Smith said. Donations are being accepted for college scholarships. Checks may be made out to the Sweet Home Alumni Foundation are tax deductible, and the money will be divided among the five princesses.
Princesses will be out meeting the public as they seek donations of raffle prizes and later selling raffle tickets. Raffle drawings will be held at the Queen’s Coronation and Chips ’n’ Splinters Talent Show on July 12, kicking off Sportsman’s Holiday. Winners need not be present. A minimum of 50 percent of the raffle proceeds go directly to the Court for scholarships.
Princesses have raised more than $1,000 in the past without the extra help the committee is hoping to provide, Smith said.
The committee is new this year, Smith said. It is required under the Chamber of Commerce’s new organizational structure. The committee reports to the chamber board financially, although the committee and court stand alone financially.
“We want to make it more sustainable,” Smith said, and the committee’s vision is to provide poise and leadership training to the court.
Also among changes, this is the last year seniors will be eligible for the court. The only senior this year is Hawkins.
The idea is that the princesses need to be around throughout the year of their reign. Seniors will often have to move on to college or jobs elsewhere.
“I’m very excited about the girls nominated and the selection of five wonderful, outstanding young ladies,” Smith said.
Nominations for the 2014 court will begin in January.