ATHENA — Cheyenne Williams of Athena is the queen of the 2010 Round-Up, it was announced this morning. Serving as princesses will be Paige Bailey of Joseph, Alexandria Featherstone of Pendleton, Nancy Platt of Pendleton and Kelsey Wrightson of Hermiston. The court for the centennial Round-Up was introduced to the media at a breakfast at the home of Dr. Doug and Heather Corey, also hosted by Steve and Susan Corey, Joan Corey and Dr. Tom and Ellyn Weeks.

Rodeo President Randy Severe expressed pleasure with the five young women.

“Round-Up is very pleased to introduce this very talented group of young women who will beautifully portray the image of our centennial celebration,” he said. “Their own family histories and traditions have mixed well with Round-Up and our greater Eastern Oregon community for many years. I know we can all take pride as they demonstrate exceptional horsemanship skills and gracious hospitality to our visitors this year.”

Court Director Larry Williams agreed.

“I am really looking forward to the 2010 Round-Up year,” he said. “We have a lot of history in these five girls and are very proud of each and every one.”

Cheyenne Williams

Cheyenne Williams is the 21-year-old daughter of the Larry and Julie Williams of Athena. She was a Round-Up princess in 2008. She graduated in 2007 from Weston McEwen High School and is studying ag-business at the University of Idaho.

At WMHS she was an all-American scholar and received awards for academic excellence, chemistry, pre-calculus and health. She played volleyball, basketball and softball in addition to being a member of the high school rodeo team and a cheerleader. She held many different offices including class president. In college she’s made the dean’s list for three consecutive semesters with a grade point average over 3.5. She’s a member of Delta Gamma sorority and is active in numerous other charitable and fraternal organizations.

She’s been appearing in the Happy Canyon Night Pageant for more than 10 years and served as a pennant bearer for the Round-Up for more than five years. She’s spent time cleaning up the grounds, painting the court’s stall signs and selling programs as well. A member of numerous riding clubs, Williams was the Mustangers 2006 barrel racing champion.

Williams comes from a long line of Round-Up volunteers dating back 85 years. Her grandfathers, John Williams and Quentin Rugg, were members of the Round-Up board of directors. Her royal lineage dates back to 1925 when her great aunt, Mildred Rogers, was the queen. Her grandmother, Joan Barnett Rugg was 1949 queen and her mother was queen in 1976. In addition she’s had several aunts and cousins serve on the court.

Paige Bailey

Paige Bailey, 18 is the daughter of John and Cindy Bailey of Joseph. A 2009 graduate of Joseph High School, she is attending Oregon State University where she’s majoring in pre-therapy.

In high school, she was the class valedictorian with a 4.0 grade point average and received numerous student of excellence awards. Also active in sports she was on the 1A state champion basketball team and was selected her junior and senior years for the all-state first team. She was named defensive player of the year three years in a row. In track she placed second in district and fifth at state in the javelin and first in the district and fourth at state in the pole vault. She also played volleyball and took part in numerous activities during high school in the fields of leadership and community service.

Active in FFA, she won several awards including the 2009 Reserve Grand Champion All-Around Showman and Swine Showman. She was the 2007 all-around champion cowgirl in junior rodeo, and has also won many horse show awards. Bailey has served as queen of Chief Joseph Days in her hometown, but her love of Round-Up runs deep. Her great-grandparents were Harley and Bonnie Tucker, owners of the Tucker Rodeo Company that provided stock to Round-Up for many years. The Tuckers have been inducted into the Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame. Her grandmother, mother and aunts have been on the Round-Up court.

Alexandria Featherstone

Alexandria Featherstone, 19, is the daughter of Barry and Maryl Featherstone of Pendleton. She graduated in 2008 from Pendleton High School and is majoring in political science at Willamette University.

At PHS she received the Lantern Cup and the Citizenship Cup. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, Spanish Club and Key Club. She also played tennis. In college she’s a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She’s also serving an internship at the state capitol in Salem.

Featherstone has served as a Round-Up pennant bearer. She was the 2007 queen of the Umatilla County Fair. She also volunteers for Tough Enough to Wear Pink, helps at the Round-Up office and has made posters and banners for several Round-Up and Happy Canyon events. Her great grandfather, Walter Holt Sr., was a Happy Canyon director and Round-Up volunteer, also serving as the rodeo’s announcer in the 1940s. Her great uncle, Walter Holt Jr. was a Round-Up director as well. Her grandfather, Jay Graybeal served as Happy Canyon director and is a Round-Up sponsor. Her grandmother, Betty Jane Holt Graybeal, was a Round-Up princess in 1937.

Nancy Platt

Nancy Platt, 19, is the daughter of Jeanne Reeve of Pendleton and Wayne Platt Jr. of Pilot Rock. She graduated in 2008 from Pendleton High School and is studying animal science at Oregon State University.

In high school, she played softball in addition to being active in Future Business Leaders of America, 4-H and FFA. She was on the honor roll and the equestrian team. In FFA she won several honors including the green hand award and the high grade point average award. At OSU, she’s a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, has made the dean’s list and is a member of the Pre-Vet Club.

Platt was a princess on the 2008 Umatilla County Fair court. She has volunteered for Round-Up for 13 years. Her mother has volunteered for 13 years and her father has helped with the rodeo for more than 30 years. She ushers, helps with programs and souvenirs and has served as a flag bearer. A rider for nine years, Platt said watching courts of the past made her want to serve as princess. She also cited her enjoyment of public speaking, which she honed when she served on the fair court as an asset in this new responsibility.

Kelsey Wrightson

Kelsey Wrightson, 19, is the daughter of Scott and Katrina Wrightson of Hermiston. She graduated in 2008 from Hermiston High School and is majoring in ag-business at Blue Mountain Community College.

While attending HHS, she was active in FFA and high school rodeo. She also participated in school leadership contests and public speaking competitions. She was the rodeo club’s president in 2007. She also competed at the Umatilla County Fair winning awards for showing hogs. At BMCC she has been named to both the president’s list and the dean’s list.

She was named Oregon High School Rodeo Queen in 2007, winning six of the seven categories in which she competed. Her two-minute speech for that competition was about her favorite rodeo — the Round-Up. An accomplished barrel racer, she has won 14 saddles and numerous buckles. Her mother competed at Round-Up on relay teams before that competition ended. Both of her parents help with the Hall of Fame Barbecue and the princess helps prepare the horses for both Happy Canyon and the Westward Ho! Parade