Hermiston herald., July 24, 2019, Page 6, Image 20

MEET THE 2019 UMATILLA COUNTY FAIR COURT
Alice Newman
Fair Court Chaperone
Kyleigh Sepulveda, Nive Hamilton and Madison Pryor
Fair court
carries on
strong
traditions
It’s unanimous — members
of the 2019 Umatilla County Fair
court agree that meeting new
people and experiencing commu-
nity activities have been the best
part of their role as royalty.
With boots to the ground, Nive
Hamilton, Madison Pryor and
Kyleigh Sepulveda have been
promoting the fair and serving
as county ambassadors since be-
ing crowned in late-January. The
gals, along with court chaperone,
Alice Newman, have zig-zagged
across the county and beyond
— participating in parades and
festivals, including a recent busy
weekend that included helping
with a pool party for area foster
children, an appearance at Spud-
fest in Hermiston and the parade
at Athena Caledonian Games.
“I never knew that even existed,”
Hamilton said about Caledo-
nian Games. “The diversity in
6 | Umatilla County Fair 2019
our communities really blew me volvement in FFA and 4-H. In
addition, Newman said they each
away.”
bring something unique and dif-
A longtime fair volunteer, New- ferent to the court.
man is the epitome of this year’s
theme of “Strong Roots & Cow- “It’s fun to see them all get to-
boy Boots!” She has taken the gether and learn from each
reins as the court chaperone the other,” she said.
past fi ve years.
In addition to showing turkeys
And this isn’t the Hermiston and other small animals at the
woman’s fi rst rodeo. Newman fair, Hamilton enjoys music,
fi rst got involved in helping with art and working on cars. Future
fair royalty when her daugh- plans include joining the Navy
ters, Kristina (1989) and Shauna and eventually working in the
(1991, 1992), served on the court medical fi eld. She is the daughter
and again when her granddaugh- of Marvin and Tile Hamilton of
ter, Ashlynn (2011, 2012), was Hermiston.
crowned.
Also from Hermiston, Sepulveda
“It’s fun to watch them and see raises and shows swine. She also
how they grow,” Newman said likes woodworking and playing
about court members. “I enjoy softball. She enjoys working with
teaching them about Umatilla children and hopes to study agri-
cultural sciences with an ultimate
County and the fair.”
goal of becoming a high school
Some court members, Newman ag teacher. She’s the daughter of
said, initially shy away from Tia and Tony Sepulveda.
public speaking. In addition
to participating in parades, the Pryor shows livestock and likes
young ladies make presentations riding horses. Eventually she’d
at chamber luncheons and ser- like to pursue a career in the vet-
vice club meetings. The process, erinary fi eld. Pryor also enjoys
Newman said, assists them in working with the elderly, hunt-
ing, fi shing, and playing basket-
gaining self-confi dence.
ball and volleyball. Hailing from
Each of the court members, who Pendleton, her parents are Bill
are all 16, has some connection and Michelle Pryor.
with the fair through their in-
While Newman has assisted with
fair royalty and had numerous
relatives serve on courts, New-
man, herself, has never donned a
sash and crown. She prefers stay-
ing behind the scenes.
Despite her attempts to fl y un-
der the radar, Newman has been
recognized numerous times for
her volunteerism. In 2011, she
received a special fair manager’s
award, which was followed up
fi ve years later when she was
recognized as female volunteer
of the year. And in 2018, she was
awarded a merit of honor during
the Hermiston Chamber of Com-
merce’s Distinguished Citizens
Banquet.
It’s no surprise that Newman
actively encourages court mem-
bers to get involved in the com-
munity. Taking part in a variety
of activities and learning more
about what it takes to put on
events has been an eye-opener
for Sepulveda. She urges people
not to take things for granted and
to step up and help. Pryor agreed.
“It’s more than just going to pa-
rades and waving to people and
throwing candy,” she said. “It’s
about giving back to the commu-
nity.”
East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald