Kelly Kenoyer
There may not have been a real Sportsman’s Holiday festival this year, thanks to the coronavirus, but there is a queen.
On Friday evening, July 10, 16-year-old Becky Belcher won the crown at the Sportsman’s Holiday coronation to thunderous cheers and applause. She won a tall spark-ling crown and a beautiful rose bouquet with peacock feathers.
“I was shaking and really, really nervous, but one of my best friends is Addy Gilmore, and she got first princess,” Belcher said. “We were standing there and just talking and as she got first princess, she said ‘you’re going to get this, you deserve it.'”
First Princess Gilmore was right: Belcher won the crown.
“It was definitely something I’m gonna remember for a long time. It was really exciting because I practiced a lot for that speech,” Belcher said.
During that speech, she had thanked all the most important people in her life for the attributes they’ve taught her.
She thanked her forestry coach, Blake Manly, for teaching her it’s okay to have help. “It’s because of him I have my strength.”
Belcher sees a future for herself in forestry, and serves as president of Sweet Home’s Future Natural Resource Leaders chapter. “Carrying an axe isn’t out of the ordinary for me,” she said.
She also thanked her basketball coach, Michelle Knight, for teaching her “It’s OK to not be OK,” and thanked her sisters for teaching her confidence.
“I love my parents; they’re the best parents in the world. I have to say that because they’re here,” she joked. “Because of them I have my extreme competitiveness.”
The coronation took place in front of a socially distanced audience of approximately 50 people, in properly spaced rows of seats at Hope Church Friday evening, July 10, and was streamed on Facebook.
Nine young women competed for the crown, dressed in matching off-the-shoulder green ballgowns and glittering tiaras.
Pastor Mark Opperman gave the invocation, asking attendees to bow their heads in prayer. “By all indications, they will have a bright future,” he said of the young ladies.
A three-member American Legion honor guard presented the flag, and 14-year-old Hannah Wible of West Albany High School sang the national anthem.
City Manager Ray Towry delivered a proclamation before the ceremony, noting that he was standing in for Mayor Greg Mahler who couldn’t attend. “These traditions make us what we are, which is Oregon at its best,” Towry said.
“Please keep smiling. Be nice. And now more than ever, please support your local businesses,” he added. “They don’t make the rules.”
Coronation organizer and court chaperone Krissy Mathers noted that “the year has changed drastically” but the girls were “excited to be here.”
She said attendance at local events had less weight in deciding the winners this year because of the complications of the ongoing pandemic. The criteria for choosing the queen included an interview with the judges, a public speech at the coronation, and a randomly selected question asked before the crowd.
Judges for the event were Judy Winthrow, Sheri McDaniel, Todd Branson, Jamie Melcher and Matt Coleman. Mathers noted several times that the judges had a tough job in choosing which of the princesses would win the crown, which sat temptingly on a white pedestal throughout the evening’s events.
Princess Kaitlyn Victor was the first to walk and smiled widely for the crowd. “It means so much to all of us to still be able to have this coronation, especially in such imperfect circumstances,” she said. “It’s so great to know there’s always someone in the community who’s going to have my back.”
Victor thanked her family for supporting her and making her who she is today. “They have pushed me to do all kinds of things I never would have thought I could do.”
Victor, 17, is a cheerleader and captain of the dance team, and credits those activities with giving her the bravery to speak in front of the crowd before her. “It’s been such a great time being with all the girls and being on this court.”
Next was Princess Katie Robeck, 16, who got a laugh from the crowd as she started with a joke: “What did the shark say when he ate the clownfish? That tasted a little funny.”
She thanked her family for their support and for “providing endless opportunities.” She also thanked her soccer coaches for their support: “Thank you for getting me out of my shell and for teaching me something new. Thank you all.”
Princess Natali Chase, 17, high-fived her dad Tim on the stage before her speech. Chase is from Harrisburg but said “Sweet Home is my chosen place.” She spoke about training dogs for search and rescue and other jobs with her mother, Lisa. She plans to pursue phlebotomy at Linn-Benton Community College and eventually become a registered nurse because she loves “taking care of other people.”
Princess Olivia Martineau, 17, said she’s lived in Sweet Home for seven years and got to know several of the other members of the court well after breaking her wrist on the first day of junior high school, after moving to town.
Martineau said the court “has opened so many doors and I’ve met so many people and it’s been a blast.”
“I can honestly say any of these ladies would be an awesome queen for this year’s court,” she said.
Martineau was named Miss Congeniality after winning the most votes for that role from her peers on the court.
Princess Brenna Boyd, 17, did a secret handshake with her father Brett before her walk, followed by a hug that took her off her feet. She referenced the unprecedented circumstance of the pandemic in her speech.
“I’m learning about how my community can take care of everyone here and reach out to people,” she said, adding that being on the court helped teach her those skills herself. “It was awesome to see how the seniors were treated this year and going into next year, it gives me a lot of hope.”
Princess O’Rian Offutt, 17, was escorted by her stepdad, Gene Overton, and they kicked their feet together in a jig before she walked on to “Party in the U.S.A.”
Offutt is a student at Sweet Home High School but lives outside the community. She’s involved in Sweet Home High School’s Key Club and said she plans to become an orthodontist after graduating.
Princess Addy Gilmore, who was escorted on stage by her mother, Emily, told the crowd she has not been as involved in school activities as some others, choosing to focus on more domestic interests.
“During school I haven’t done sports or that sort of thing. I would rather come home and have time to spend with my family.”
Gilmore, who won first princess, plans to become a counselor for her future career. “My family and friends know I’m always there for them,” she said. “I want to create a safe environment for people to come and detox.”
Gilmore moved to Sweet Home five years ago, and since then “I’ve become the best version of myself,” she said.
Princess Jillian Lynn was escorted by her father, Police Chief Jeff Lynn, who gave her a big hug before she walked. Lynn, who will be a senior next year, has lived in Sweet Home her entire life, and she’s been involved in local events like the K9 Fair. “I play basketball, do cheerleading and track, and I work at A&W currently.”
She wants to work as an occupational therapist. “I enjoy going to the lake with friends and family. It’s hard to do that with the corona, but as soon as things open back up we’ll go on plenty of hikes.”
Each girl wore a sash with the name of a sponsor printed on the back. Organizer Nancy Patton said there’s still room for more sponsors to help the girls get clothing for future events. “Thank you very much for those who have sponsored,” she added.
A tear sprang to Patton’s eye as she spoke of the struggles this country is facing. “One thing I can say about this community is that they’re very supportive of everything we do.” She invited Police Chief Lynn to the stage and the committee presented him with a gift basket of a police car-shaped cookie jar and Twinkies-“we don’t know if you eat donuts”- and adorned with an American flag.
After that interlude, Mathers announced that it was time for the questions section of the evening, which all the girls were quite nervous about. The girls each picked an envelope at random and had to answer the chosen question.
Princess Kaitlyn Victor was asked what the biggest struggle is for Sweet Home’s young people. “There’s a reputation that comes with our town that not everyone loves,” she said, adding that the tight-knit nature of the community can be more enjoyable for the older generation than the younger generation-especially knowing that you’ll inevitably run into someone you know when you go to the store. “But it’s not that big of a deal,” she added, “and it’s really great to live in a small town.”
Asked about starting a local non-profit, Princess Robeck said she’d help children if she had the opportunity to do so. “There are a lot of kids who don’t have a meal when they go home,” she said, “I’d start something to feed hungry kids.”
Natali Chase was asked about her favorite non-profit in town. She said Sweet Home Emergency Ministries is her favorite because it helps feed the hungry. “They will help you with whatever you need,” she said. “There’s just so many supportive people there who help people feel secure with their food.”
Olivia Martineau was asked about her role model, and she said it’s her mom. “She’s just very hardworking and I strive to be like her every day.”
Princess Brenna Boyd was asked how she’ll make the most of her senior year, and said she’d reach out to her friends, have small get-togethers, and support her friends. She added that she’d do as much as she could for her community “for them giving so much to our seniors this year.”
Asked to define success, Princess O’Rian said it’s “Not only to provide for your family, but to be there for your family. Not everyone needs the new pants or new shoes, you can push and meet your goals.”
Princess Addy was asked what the best thing about Sweet Home is. She said, “You can go out anywhere and see people who love and support you. You don’t exactly get that in big cities.”
Princess Becky – about to be crowned queen – was asked about what she’s had to miss due to COVID-19 and how it affected her. With a nod to her coach, she said she’d missed out on the Jack and Jill “state competition for 2020.”
Princess Jillian was asked about the traits of a good leader. “A good leader should be open-minded and be able to speak in front of crowds.” She added that a leader should be kind and generous, and “be a good person all around.”
The 2019 winner of the crown, Makayla Griffin, talked about how much the court meant to her. “I’m so glad these amazing young women had the opportunity to have this experience… it’s such a loving feeling.” She added that public speaking is a challenge for all the members of the court. “I hope all of you are just as proud of them as Krissy and I are,” she said.
Mathers said this year has been difficult for judging because the girls weren’t able to attend as many local events to win points towards the crown.
After the winners were announced, Becky Belcher performed her first official act as Queen by declaring Sportsman’s Holiday weekend officially open.
All the members of the court win scholarships for their participation, with Miss Congeniality and the queen winning additional scholarships. For Belcher, the money will help support her studies at LBCC, where she hopes to become an ultrasound technician.