In the News: Court chosen for 2013 Old Fashioned Festival all Tigers

The late July crowning of a queen from among the court may be the official kickoff to the Old Fashioned Festival, but the naming of the three members of that court four months earlier perhaps marks the real beginning of Newberg’s annual rite. 

This year’s court, chosen by the festival committee in late March, consists of three Newberg High School students: juniors Bethany Giesch and Lindsey Doran and senior Eveda Rice. The three were chosen from nine applicants, all from NHS.

Marlene Grant, who is the mother of two past queens and who serves as chaperone along with 2007 queen Sarah Lowe, said the criteria for selection to the court requires that they be students in good standing and that they successfully undergo an interview process to test their skills at public speaking and answering questions, primarily about the festival.

What the girls’ gain from being members of the court is simple, Grant said: “the opportunity to serve the community while improving their public speaking skills, volunteering being a role model for others.”

The court’s responsibilities are numerous and they keep them busy from the time they are chosen until the coronation in July, Grant said, adding they will attend events such as the First Friday Art Walk, Camellia Festival, Relay for Life and Special Olympics, as well as appearing in parades in Sherwood, Sheridan, Carlton and St. Paul. They also attend festival committee gatherings and speak at Kiwanis and Rotary meetings.

The court won’t be hard to spot as they wear matching outfits — chosen by themselves and the chaperones and paid for by festival sponsors — at all public events.

Doran, who plans to attend George Fox University and major in social work when she graduates from NHS, is following in the footsteps of four friends who have been on the court. Rice, who will seek a doctorate in psychology when she graduates from NHS, is friends with reigning queen Kelly Grant and her sister, Sara, a former queen as well. Giesch, who doesn’t have any past ties to the court, expects to study foreign languages when she graduates from NHS and, eventually, become a linguist.

The trio understands the responsibility that comes with being a member of the festival court.

“My main duty as a Newberg Old Fashioned Festival court member is to represent Newberg well,” Doran said.

“We were chosen to represent the youth of Newberg,” Giesch said.

“As princesses of the Old Fashioned Festival our duty is to represent Newberg in a positive way …,” Rice said. “It is important to be a good role model with a great attitude every day.”

The trio’s reasons for wanting to be on the court are similar and were best summed up by Rice: “As a little girl I always looked up to the princesses and in a child’s eyes it was exciting to meet them,” she said. “They were role models to the younger generation and I am excited for that opportunity. I also love to meet new people and I am always looking for new ways to get involved in the community. I thought, what better to do that, then to become part of the Old Fashioned Festival?”

The theme of participation in the community is not foreign to any of these three young ladies. Doran is a youth leader and Sunday school teacher at her church, works at Jem 100, volunteers at Love INC and is involved in leadership programs at NHS. Giesch is involved in Golden Horseshoes 4H, plays club volleyball and volunteers for Operation Christmas Child. Rice volunteers at Mabel Rush Elementary school, where she works in classrooms and helps with the Tune Into Reading program. She has also coached middle school volleyball.

None of the three are intimidated by the prospect of becoming such a visible representative of the festival, although one was a little apprehensive.

“It is … an opportunity that comes with many responsibilities, which I am willing to take on, as well as lots of opportunities and tons of fun!” Doran said.

“It was rather scary when I first found out I was on the Old Fashioned Festival court,” Rice said. “However, I know that if the festival committee didn’t believe in me than they would not have given me such an amazing opportunity. Also it helps that Princess Bethany and Princess Lindsey are so caring and I couldn’t have asked for better girls to share this experience with.”

“Knowing that I am a person kids will look up to, much as I did when I was a child, can be a little intimidating,” Giesch said.

The queen’s coronation will be held July 25, the first day of the four-day festival, on the main stage at Memorial Park.

By Gary Allen, Newberg Graphic