Keri Marvin-Smith was named Queen of the Sportsman’s Holiday Court during Thursday night’s coronation ceremony.
Angela Miner was named First Princess and Miss Congeniality.
Queen Keri was recognized for selling the most raffle tickets among court members. She sold some 2,100 of 3,400 sold. Traci Scott, 2001 Sportsman’s Holiday Queen, drew tickets for the raffle prior to crowning Queen Keri.
Queen Keri is the daughter Annette and Chuck Smith. The 2003 graduate of Sweet Home High School was involved in many school activities, including her freshman class board and dance team. She was on the honor and in Who’s Who Among American High School Students.
Members of the court were judged based on interviews, answering a prepared question, answering an impromptu question, poise and personality. Judges included Rep. Jeff Kropf and his wife, Peggy Sue; former queens Autumn Hufford and Wendy Younger; Karolyn Crocker and ???
The court includes Queen Keri and princesses Angela, Heather Kem, Samantha Angoletta, Breanna Day, Ashley Smith and Kristina Wilcox.
“I’ll tell you the truth, I feel great,” Queen Keri said. “It’s sure an honor. The girls have worked just as hard as I have, and I enjoy each and every single one of them.”
They all have been good friends with each other since junior high, Queen Keri said.
“(The Sportsman’s Holiday Court) is just something I wanted to do to get involved in the community,” Queen Keri said. “I love interacting with people.”
Queen Keri’s sister, Amanda, was a member of the court three years ago.
In keeping with their theme, “Patriotic Pride,” the princesses were asked to reflect on another country and describe someone or an experience explaining why they are proud to be Americans.
Queen Keri talked about her grandfather, who had his first heart attack at age 32. At 52, he received a heart transplant.
“I started life six weeks before he started his new life,” Queen Keri said. Because he was in the United States, where technology was available to save him, “I had the chance to know him for 16 and a half years.”
The other members of the court told of relatives who are soldiers, ancestors who emigrated to American for a better life, the miserable living conditions in other places around the world and the advances of equality in the United States itself.
The queen will receive a $500 scholarship. The first princess will receive a $250 scholarship, and the each other member of the court will receive a $125 scholarship. The scholarships may be used at the school of the winner’s choice.
Benton County Queen Tami Zucker, last year’s Calapooia Roundup queen, was present at the coronation along with the Strawberry Festival queen and the Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair queen. The Calapooia Roundup Court was also present.
“I think they did a very good job,” Calapooia Roundup Queen Rose Wyant said. “It was very interesting to watch another court’s performance.”
About 150 persons attended the coronation.