Tracy Colleen Smith says she joined the Sportsman’s Holiday Court to allow herself to learn more about her community.
Smith, 18, is one of six young women who are candidates to be queen of this year’s Sportsman’s Holiday festival, to be held July 11-13. The queen will be selected at a coronation banquet on Thursday, July 10.
“Our town is very small and often times looked as if it is simple, but Sweet Home has taught me many life lessons, and I want to represent each one,” Smith said. “I have been a part of our community since I was born. I have been a part of most aspects in Sweet Home. I love my home town and want to be an example of the youth from the town.
“Sweet Home’s residents always seem to be willing to lend out help to those who deserve and need it. I was able to letter all four years of high school in my equestrian team thanks to the help of the people in my community.”
Smith is the daughter of Cynthia Brenneman and Thomas Smith. She has seven siblings, Melissa Dewar, 35; Belinda Stigen, 32; Harmony Smith, 28; Josh McLaws, 28; Beau Smith, 27; Brian Smith, 27; and Amy McLaws, 26. She has 11 nieces and nephews.
She graduated from Sweet Home High School with an honors diploma, top 10 percent, and a certificate of initial mastery. She plans to attend Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University in the fall.
In high school, she was involved in the equestrian team. In the community, she is involved in 4-H with horses and livestock, the city’s Youth Advisory Council, her church youth group and the Sportsman’s Holiday Court. She was involved in community cleanup, parks cleanup, canned food drives, can and bottle drives and Thanksgiving baskets.
She works a summer job landscaping with Scott Cooley.
“My mother is my hero,” she said. “No matter how many times we argue or disagree, she always goes out of her way to help me, even when she really shouldn’t have. My mom taught me forgiveness; and in everyday life, she practiced exactly what she preached.”
If she could live in any time in history, she said, “I would like to live back when America was run by Native Americans. I want to be able to go on horseback around the countryside, free.”