Brittany Poteet was named Sportsman’s Holiday Queen Friday night during the Coronation program, which included a Chips ’n’ Splinters talent show featuring local performers.
Poteet, who, organizers said, set a record for ticket sales with 2,306, was chosen from the court that included princesses Alex Olin, Haley Hawkins, Briana Warth and Hannah Mather. Hawkins was named First Princess and Warth was Miss Congeniality.
2012 First Princess Candalyn Johnson handed Poteet a bouquet of roses – but no crown – as Emcees Firiel Severns and Kapi Ranua told the crowd the crown had inadvertently been locked in an office.
Poteet said she was “very surprised” by her selection by a panel of judges composed of Miss Oregon International Ashley Ziegler, local journalist Alex Paul, former Sportsman’s Holiday Court member Amy Paul Maynard, former Miss New Mexico and current Oregon Jamboree Director Erin Regrutto, former Mayor Tim McQueary and Linn County District Attorney Doug Marteeny. Their selection was based on court members’ performance in interviews and both prepared and impromptu speeches, and ticket sales.
“I didn’t think I had a chance,” Poteet said. “I thought I messed up a little bit on my speech. But I’m really hard on myself.”
“When I started this out, I didn’t think I’d make it on the court. When I got the phone call, I was estatic.”
Court members will receive scholarships based on their performance in the competition and ticket sales. Olin will receive $822, Hawkins will receive $1,272, plus $100 for being named First Princess; Poteet will receive $1,653, plus $500 for being named queen and $50 for high ticket sales; Warth will receive $922, plus $100 for being Miss Congeniality; and Mather will receive $801.
Court members were sponsored by local businesses – Olin by The Point Restaurant and Craig Fentiman/Farmers Insurance, Hawkins by the Sweet Home Kiwanis Club, Poteet by Sweet Home Timber Management and Pickett Trucking, Warth by Sweet Home Sanitation, and Mather by Sherri Gregory Home Team/Keller Williams.
Poteet said the experience of being a court member has been “wonderful.”
“I’ve become very involved in the community,” she said. “Before, I didn’t really know what the community was all about.”
The night’s Chips ’n’ Splinters performers were vocalist Brandi Vinson, fresh off her victory in the the Double D Karaoke competition, singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Skyfall” from James Bond film of that name; vocalist David Dominy singing “Moon River” while accompanying himself on the piano; pianist Maria Daniels performing “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic;” vocalist Kimber Swanson performing “Telescope” from “Nashville” with vocals and guitar; flutist Samantha Ramirez performing the theme from “Raiders of the Lost Ark;” and Robert Williams of Lebanon, who played medley of movie themes on the piano.
Chamber Board member Don Gonzalez performed Frank Sinatra’s “One for My Baby” as the final ballot count in the queen’s competition was tallied.
Following the coronation event, an “After Party” served in the courtyard outside the high school auditorium featured fare from local restaurants, including All Star Pizza, A&W, Mr. Lucky’s Deli, Coffee Hut, Spoleto’s Pizzeria, Apple Creek Cafe, Norajean Lemar, Cedar Shack, The Point, Coffee Hut, Figaro’s Pizza, Safeway and Thriftway.