Six Sweet Home girls were named to the 2010 Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday Court last week, and they are joined by a new court coordinator.
The 2010 court includes Kellie Pollock, Morgan Jefferson, Kelika K. Kaniaupio, Jazmine Morris, Megan Sanderson and Cheryl Wilson.
Wendy Smith is succeeding Wendy Younger as court coordinator. Younger will assist this year during the transition.
Pollock, 16, is a sophomore and is the daughter of Edith Maria Wilcox, Michael James Pollock and stepmother Kealalaine Pollock.
Jefferson, 16, is a junior. She is the daughter of William and Teri Jefferson.
Kaniaupio, 17, is a junior. She is the daughter of Kathy Kaniaupio and Jeremy Kaniaupio Sr.
Morris, 17, is a junior. She is the daughter of Gidget Edwards and Jaby Morris. She is the granddaughter of Jo Anne and Frank Finnell.
Sanderson, 16, is a junior. She is the daughter of Andrea and Derrick Sanderson.
Wilson, 16, is a junior. She is the daughter of Marvin Wilson and Jan Hufford-Wilson.
Smith and her husband grew up in the Sweet Home area, and they raised their children here. All of them graduated from Sweet Home High School.
She has been active in the community and her church for many years, she said. She is the treasurer on the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Smith has worked at Sweet Home Sanitation for 15 years, she said, which has enabled her to stay connected and involved because, she said, her employer values community volunteerism.
“As a former dance teacher for 25 years in Sweet Home, I taught poise, posture and self-esteem to many girls,” Smith said. “I enjoyed watching little girls become young ladies. I am looking forward to helping each princess promote Sweet Home and having a great time together.”
Younger is stepping down to spend time with a new baby that is due soon.
“A big thank you to Wendy Younger for her work with the Sportsman’s Holiday Court the last two years as well as help and support during this transition,” Smith said.
The court is part of the Chamber of Commerce, Smith said. As a member of the chamber board, she decided to serve as coordinator when she learned there was a need.
“I’m very excited about it,” she said. “It’s been awhile since I worked with young ladies,” she said, and she truly enjoys watching them grow and learn.
The court was selected by a panel of four judges, including Younger; Mike Hall, owner of The Point Restaurant; Kristin Adams of Sweet Home High School; and Mary Sue Reynolds of Linn-Benton Community College, Sweet Home Center. Reynolds is a former coordinator.
“They’re a good group of girls, outstanding young ladies,” Smith said. Their commitment to this community is evident.
A common theme among them is that they believed they would be good role models to the children of the community, Smith said. Their letters of recommendation said the same thing, and she agrees.
In the coming weeks, the princesses will seek sponsorships, and they will make their first formal appearance at the Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet in March.
For more information about the court or sponsorships, contact Smith at (541) 974-0883.