Scott Swanson
Of The New Era
Sportsman’s Holiday Princess Julie Burcham has joined the Court this year because she wants to be more involved with Sweet Home.
“I think it is a great opportunity to become involved and learn not only about the city of Sweet Home but about myself also,” she says.
Julie, 17, is one of six young women who are candidates to be chosen Sportsman’s Holiday queen for the festival, to be held July 7-9. The queen will be crowned Thursday, July 6 at a 7 p.m. coronation at the Sweet Home High School cafeteria. Tickets for the dinner, which begins at 5:30 p.m., are $15 each and are available by calling Mary Sue at 367-6901 or Karla at 401-3339.
Julie is the daughter of Karla Burcham. She has two sisters, Amanda and Jamie, and a brother, Jarrod.
She recently finished her junior year at Sweet Home High School, where she has played volleyball and was a member of the Homecoming Court. She has also served as an assistant volleyball coach for Boys and Girls Club teams and has helped with volleyball camps.
After graduation she hopes to attend college, possibly at Oregon State University, and major in marine biology or communication.
“Since I was in first grade I have loved whales and dolphins, so I have always planned on going into marine biology,” she said. “Lately, though, I have been thinking about how much fun it would be to become an agent for celebrities or unknown people who are working to become celebrities. Whatever I choose, though, I just want to be happy.”
Julie says she can make a difference in the community by “influencing other people to get involved and take pride in the community they live in.”
“I would love to be a role model for the younger children by encouraging them to achieve their goals and make a difference in their own society.”
She says she likes Sweet Home because it is small and “everybody knows each other.”
“You can’t walk down the street or be in the grocery store without seeing someone you know,” Julie said. “It is comforting to know that if you ever need anything or you are having problems, there are always people around to help you, even if they have not always been your closest friends.”
She said she can always find plenty to do, even in a town as small as Sweet Home.
“Even when my friends and I have nothing to do we make the little things, like turning in cans, going to the laundromat or grocery shopping, really fun.”
She said she believes she will be a good representative for Sweet Home because she’s lived here since she was 6.
“I am involved with my school and I am not ashamed to say I enjoy living in Sweet Home,” she said. “I am very outgoing and enjoy meeting new people.”