West Linn- Thursday, February 16th the historic McLean House was vibrant with excitement as fifteen West Linn 8th grade girls rehearsed their speeches and compared responses to impromptu questions in preparation for their turn to tryout to be on the West Linn Old Time Fair Court. With great anticipation 2011 Queen Sara Gowdy and Princess Emma Waibel made the announcements and crowned two students from Rosemont Ridge Middles School, Jori Monihan and Olivia Steele and two Athey Creek Middle School students Avery Lawrence and Bobbi O’Brien. A fifth Princess, Leah Olson from Athey Creek, was named Friday after a scoring error was discovered. Beginning early next month the new Princesses will embark on a busy year of representing their community and promoting the tradition of the West Linn Old Time Fair at local events and festivals in neighboring communities. They will each perform an individual community service project as part of their requirement for consideration of Queen. The new Queen will be crowned at coronation during the opening ceremonies of the 56th annual Old Time, Friday July 20th. The Fair will run through Sunday July 22nd and will include a carnival, skydiving, water skiing, car and timber shows, parade, and two stages with entertainment.
About the 2012 Fair Court Princesses:
Princess Jori, whose parents are J. Brian and Traci Monihan, is active in sports, is an accomplished dancer, and has performed community service. At the fair she has participated in the parade and Mutt and Pet show with her dog. The daughter of Keith and Kimberly Steel, Princess Olivia, is also involved in school sports, as well as, the yearbook committee. She has tutored first graders in math and teaches ballet. Her favorite thing about the the fair is to watch the skydivers and the fair court on their float during the parade. Marc and Gina Olson are the parents of Princess Leah, she is competitive in soccer and basketball and involved in performing arts. She is highly committed to service to her community and enjoys the lumberjack show and dunk tank at the Fair. Princess Avery is the daughter of Derek and Reagan Lawrence, her long term goals include a career in medicine, much of her volunteer and service projects have been in service to sick children. Her hobbies include violin, gymnastics and cheerleading. The dance performances on the stage at the Fair are her favorite and she also enjoys the pie eating contest and carnival rides. Princess Bobbi attended her first Old Time Fair at the age of 5 weeks with parents, Peter and Karin O’Brien. In addition to various school volunteer services and performing as a dancer and singer she is committed to her volunteer work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She could not pick her favorite activities at the Fair because she loves it all.
