event calendar

Six vie for Queen Yam LXXI

The 71st Annual East Texas Yamboree Queen’s Contest will begin Monday (June 16).

Six young ladies representing local civic clubs will vying for the title of Queen Yam LXXI.

This year the candidates will be selling tickets to three events: the Queen’s Coronation on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 15-16, at the Gilmer Civic Center; and Barn Dance tickets for both the new Barn Dance on Friday, Oct. 17, and the traditional Barn Dance on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Trinity Street Gym.

Vouchers for the Queen’s Coronation will be $10.

Tickets for the barn dances will be $15 for each night when purchased in advance. Tickets sold at the door will be $20.

Winner of the contest will be announced on Friday, June 27, at First National Bank.

Bluebonnet Club

Miss Laren Elizabeth Clemens, daughter of Jeff and Lanette Clemens, is representing the Bluebonnet Club.

Her grandparents are Dorothy Clemens Coyle of Gilmer and the late Newton Coyle; and Earl and LaJuana Williams of Texarkana.

Miss Clemens attends Gilmer High School. She plans to attend Texas Christian University to become a Neonatal RN.

She is a member of the tennis team, FCA, National Honor Society, Key Club, and FFA. She serves as vice-president of the Student Council and of her junior class.

Miss Clemens is a member of the Gilmer Church of Christ youth group.

Her philosophy of life is: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. If you have faith in God, He will lead you in the right direction.”

Beta Sigma Phi

Miss Eryn Nicole Mannis will represent Beta Sigma Phi. She is the daughter of Perry and Karen Mannis of Gilmer. Her mother was a Lady-in-Waiting in 1982.

Miss Mannis is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Quay Pitman of Gilmer, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Herald of Conway, Ark., and Mrs. Carolyn Mannis of Hot Springs, Ark.

She is a senior at Gilmer High School.

Miss Mannis is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church youth group, and is a 10-year piano student.

She is a member of the varsity softball and golf teams, the National Society of High School Scholars, Key Club, FFA Leadership Team, FFA Career Development Team, and is a honor student.

She has been a court dancer in five previous Yamboree pageants, and was in the children’s court in 1998. In 2005 she was royal princess to her sister, Queen Katie Mannis.

Asked about her philosophy of life, she said: “Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, even when it is difficult to smile. Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family.” — Mother Teresa.

“There are going to be things in life that get us down, and test us, but if you conquer those obstacles with a good attitude and God and your family as a foundation, anything is possible. Support and integrity will get you through any trials and tribulations.”

Miss Mannis plans to attend Blinn College and Texas A&M University in College Station, pursuing a degree in sports medicine.

20th Century Club

Representing the Twentieth Century Club is Miss Rebecca Laine King, daughter of Lewis and Karen King of Gilmer. She is the granddaughter of Rod and Rebecca Jorjorian and the late Roy and Paula King.

Miss King attends Trinity School of Texas.

She is a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, Z-Club, ACTS (Actively Communicating Trinity Students), Key Club, JSA (Junior Statesmen of America), and Multi-Cultural Club.

She was a participant in Longview Partnership’s Leadership Tomorrow, and participated in varsity volleyball, track, and bowling.

Miss King placed third in the Rotary Four-Way Speech Contest.

“Charles Swindoll once said, ‘I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it . . . we are in charge of our attitudes . . .’

“Whatever may happen to us throughout life, our reactions are what affect the rest of our decisions. If we react poorly to something, we set a poor example for future generations.

“My philosophy is life is too short to let the little things get to us, so we need to forgive and forget. By doing this, we are able to live a better and healthier lifestyle.

She plans to pursue a degree in business, but has not yet chosen a college.

Gilmer Lions Club

Miss Stephanie Lynn Henson, a senior at Harmony High School, will represent the Gilmer Lions Club.

Miss Henson is the daughter of Stephen and Terry Henson of Gilmer.

Her grandparents are Larry and Bebe Henson and Larry and Sharon Pilcher of Gilmer.

Miss Henson is a member of the Beta Club, FCA and FFA, where she serves as an officer. She is listed on the honor roll.

Other activities include tennis, FCCLA, Art, Horse Judging Team, and Dairy Heifer Exhibitor. She served as an officer of her junior class.

“I live every day through God, He gives me strength. I also believe that everything happens for a reason. You should live your life to the fullest. With God, family, and good friends a person can achieve any dream.”

Miss Henson plans to attend Southern Methodist University, majoring in business administration.

Gilmer Rotary Club

Representing the Gilmer Rotary Club is Miss Jaclyn Paige Skinner, daughter of David Skinner of Georgetown and Allanah Hawkins of Springtown.

She is the granddaughter of Wayne and Becky Skinner of Gilmer, Jerry and Donna Parker of Holly Lake Ranch, Ralph and Sandy DeGeurin of Kilgore. Her great-grandmother is Marvel Rushfeldt of Holly Lake Ranch.

Miss Skinner is a senior at Harmony High School.

High School activities have included One-Act Play, Key Club and Debate. She is active in the youth group, “Crossfire,” at Holly Tree Chapel.

She is active in FFA, and enjoys showing rabbits.

She presented as her philosophy of life: “Jeremiah 29:11:

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

My philosophy for life is just this, to remember our Creator and His plan for us each step of the day and if this is fully achieved, we will truly be successful.”

Miss Skinner has not yet chosen a college.

Gilmer Kiwanis Club

Miss Reyven Elizabeth Osborne, daughter of Lula Johnson of Gilmer and James Osborne of California, is representing the Gilmer Kiwanis Club.

Her grandparents are Helen Johnson and the late Manna Q Johnson.

Miss Osborne is a senior at Gilmer High School.

She is a member of the GHS Key Club, Steppin’ Up, and serves as a youth choir member and president of the youth mission at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

She was a regional qualifier in track, and received academic all district honors in basketball and volleyball. She was named to the first team all district basketball and volleyball teams, and All East Texas honorable mention.

“For whosoever exalteth himself, shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. — Luke 14:11.”

“I don’t want to go around trying to brag about myself,” she said.

Miss Osborne plans to major in psychology at the University of Texas in Austin.

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