Princess Peyton Markell is the daughter of Eric and Rachel Markell, and sister to Rylee, 18.
Markell chose to fundraise for Sweet Home Rotary Club, which she has worked closely with while acting as vice president of the Interact Club.
“I have seen many of the amazing things they do for our community,” she said. “I love the idea of supporting such a positive organization.”
In high school, Markell participated in multiple varsity sports teams including soccer, swimming, track and field, and cross country. She was also involved in leadership, class board, Interact Club and the National Honors Society. She works as a lifeguard at the Sweet Home Community Pool.
Her personal goals as a senior next school year include being valedictorian, “surviving” multiple college classes and having successful sports seasons.
Markell joined the Sportsman’s Holiday Court because she saw it as a great way to give back to the community.
“I love volunteering throughout the community and helping others,” she said. “I am also hoping that my time on the court will help me develop skills that will be useful as I head to college and beyond.”
When asked about favorite memories from past Sportsman’s Holiday events, she responded that it would be when she watched the fireworks show over Foster Lake with her family.
Her advice for the best parade-watching spot is “in the shade so you don’t get too hot sitting in the summer sun, and somewhere where you can easily see all of the pretty floats.” Markell also advised watchers to bring delicious snacks for when they get hungry.
Now that she sits on the Holiday Court, Markell expressed enjoyment about visiting the elementary schools and reading to the students there.
“It is super fun to talk to them about their interests and what they are excited about,” she said. “I look forward to getting to see them at other community events.”
If she could meet someone from a different decade and have dinner with them, Markell would like to meet someone who had many adventures and life experiences.
“It would be so amazing to hear all of the advice they have to give,” she said.
Going with this year’s Sportsman’s Holiday theme, “Diamonds and Decades,” Markell was asked which decade she identifies with from a fashion standpoint.
“I like the fashion during the ’80s because of all the bright colors they wore and because the colors are happy and cheerful,” she said.
Markell described how she would showcase Sweet Home to a friend, starting with “a good breakfast” at The Point, followed by a variety of outdoor activities.
“First we would go to Foster Lake and kayak to see the beautiful landscape and hopefully some wildlife,” she said. “Then we would head to Sankey Park to have a picnic lunch.”
Markell would then take her friend to play pickleball at the tennis courts below the junior high school, followed by dinner at Casa de Reyes “for chips and salsa and an amazing meal.” After that, they would go to Huskey Field to cheer the soccer team to victory.
“Lastly, we would finish our night with amazing root beer floats at our local A&W.”
Her favorite thing about living in Sweet Home is that she loves the people there.
“I love that when I go to events, volunteer or run errands, I see people I know and talk to them for a little while,” Markell said. “I love having a friendly and supportive community.”