McKenzie Nikole Yoder, 16, is the daughter of Andrea Jo Yoder and Arthur Jennings Yoder.
She will be a senior at Sweet Home High School.
She has a 13-year-old sister, Alexis Anne Yoder.
“There are many reasons why I chose to become a Sportsman’s Holiday Court princess,” Yoder said. They include “getting to be a role model for the little children, getting more opportunities to participate in local events, volunteering in the community and, of course, who doesn’t want to (be a princess)?”
Yoder stays busy working in the children’s ministry and other volunteer work at her church, including yard work for the elderly, cutting wood in the winter and helping with Christmas boxes.
While in leadership at the high school, she has helped out at Sweet Home Emergency Ministries.
She lettered last school year in soccer and track after not being able to play sports for three years due to an ankle injury.
That kind of thing is something she likes about Sweet Home.
“Whenever someone is in need, we help one another,” Yoder said. “Sweet Home is a wonderful, tight-knit community surrounded by gorgeous forests, lakes rivers and abundant wildlife.”
After graduating from high school, she plans to earn her master’s degree in pre-law and business at the University of Oregon and then pursue a judicial doctorate from Stanford University.
“I will become an owner of my own firm and will work as a child advocate,” Yoder said. “My goals may seem somewhat ambitious, but I will put in as many hours and strive to achieve my goals because being a voice for mistreated children is my passion.”
Yoder said that being a part of the court has opened many doors.
“I have been able to devote more time to events and volunteering in our community, be a role model for young children, an example for my peers and a representation of how amazing our Sweet Home community truly is,” she said.
“As a princess, I have other girls with me, which means we have a united front to tackle challenges in our community. Not only that, but as an individual, you can simply display kindness, confidence, compassion and helpfulness to all you meet.
“I always remember looking up to the princesses as a little girl, so by being one now, I can show both children and teenagers of my generation that staying in school, helping others besides yourself, striving for success and just being the best ‘you’ you can be can take you places you never imagined.”