Sean C. Morgan
Seminar brings together queens past and present, along with business, social coaches, to advise would-be Sportsman’s princesses
Fourteen young women participated in a special event Saturday designed to prepare them to run for the Sportsman’s Holiday Court and to generally improve their skills.
“It was the vision of our newly formed Sportsman’s Holiday Court Committee,” said Court Coordinator Wendy Smith.
The new committee, which includes Ben Dahlenburg, Wendy Younger, Kristin Adams, Mike Hall and Wendy Smith, formed in the fall and developed a mission statement:
“The mission of the Sportsman’s Holiday Court program is to promote community outreach and volunteerism, to offer networking and mentoring opportunities and provide scholarships for higher education to outstanding young women in a program that perpetuates an appreciation for the Sportsman’s Holiday history and tradition.”
Saturday’s luncheon and workshop included sessions on etiquette, poise and posture, social media, speaking skills, interviewing skills and more.
In a session with Ms. Oregon Ashley Zeigler of Roseburg, the girls learned poise, how to walk in heels, how to walk to different kinds of music, how to speak in public, posture and how to answer impromptu questions.
Retired city Administrative Assistant Charlene Adams and Librarian Rose Peda gave mock interviews, and former Queen Kimber Swanson and Princess Amy Paul Maynard talked to the girls about their core values, being role models and social media. Teresa Shinka-Davis, who works for News America Marketing, worked with the girls on building resumes, tips and interviewing.
Marge Wilson provided training in etiquette during lunch. Wilson and her husband, Gale, reared three children in Sweet Home. Both have been involved in the Mason Lodge and have invested in the lives of young people in the Sweet Home for many years.
Doris Johnston of Pacific Power delivered the keynote address. Pacific Power also provided the meal, which was served by Hall and The Point Restaurant.
Pacific Power also connected the committee to the Rose Festival in Portland, which has provided guidelines for Saturday’s workshop and mentorship.
The idea was to provide poise and leadership training to a larger group than the court princesses, Smith said, which will improve the quality of the court, while providing new skills to young women in the community.
“Through poise and leadership, they would find out who they are, gain confidence and self esteem wherever life leads them,” Smith said.
“They filed applications of interest, but they’re not committed,” Smith said.
Those who do apply will be interviewed on March 21, and the 2013 court will be selected almost immediately, Smith said.
Attending the workshop were Briana Warth, Sarah Lowe, Kourtney Dixon, Kristina Allyn, Alex Olin, Amanda Coonc, Sierrah Owen, Aurora Sherwood, Julianna Mendoza, Cayla Coonc, Brittany Poteet, Haley Hawkins, Hannah Mather and Amy Frentz.