Third generation in family Paige Bailey named to Pendleton R-Up Court

Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Paige Bailey, 18, of Joseph, has been named as a princess of the 2010 Pendleton Round-up Court, following in the bootsteps of her grandmother, mother and aunts.

Bailey, the daughter of John and Cindy Bailey and granddaughter of Dave and Darlene Turner, reigned as Chief Joseph Days queen in 2008. She is now a freshman at Oregon State University, majoring in pre-physical therapy.

“I’m very excited,” Bailey said about the honor. “It’s a huge family tradition, and that makes it that more special. It’s going to be a busy summer.”

Other members of the Pendleton Round-Up court, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2010, are: Cheyenne Williams of Athena, the queen; and fellow princesses. Alexandria Featherstone and Nancy Platt of Pendleton; and Kelsey Wrightson of Hermiston.

The identity of the centennial court was made public and the members were introduced at a brunch in Pendleton Saturday, Nov. 28.

“Round-Up is very pleased to introduce this very talented group of young women who will beautifully portray the image of our centennial celebration,” said Pendleton Round-Up president Randy Severe. “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.”

Princess Paige’s own history with the famous Pendleton rodeo celebration dates back to her great-grandparents, Harley and Bonnie Tucker, who owned a Joseph-based rodeo stock company that provided stock to the Round-Up for many year. The Tuckers have been inducted into the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame.

Her grandmother, Darlene Tucker Turner, was on the Round-Up court in 1960. Her mother and both of her mother’s sisters were also Round-Up royalty: her mother in 1982, aunt Candi Willis in 1984 and aunt Sandi Rowe in 1988.

Bailey graduated from Joseph High School this spring as valedictorian. She played on both of JHS’s state championship basketball teams, selected twice on the all-state first team; and qualified for state in both javelin and pole vault. She was very active in 4-H and FFA.

The other R-Up court members also bring stellar credentials to their new roles.

Queen Cheyenne, 21, was a Round-Up princess in 2008, and has been appearing in the Happy Canyon Pageant and as a pennant bearer for years. A great-aunt, Mildred Rogers,was queen in 1925; her grandmother, Joan Barnett Rugg, was 1949 queen and her mother, Julie Williams, was queen in 1976.

Princess Alexandria, 19, was queen of the 2007 Umatilla County Fair, and volunteers for several Round-up activities. Family members four generations back served on Round-Up and Happy Canyon boards of directors. Her grandmother, Betty Jane Holt Graybeal was a Round-Up princess in 1937.

Princess Nancy was a princess on the 2008 Umatilla County Court, and follows in a long family tradition of being a Round-Up volunteer. She also attends Oregon State University as a pre-vet major.

Princess Kelsey was named Oregon High School Rodeo Queen in 2007, and is an accomplished barrel racer. Her mother competed on relay teams before the competition ended, and both her parents are volunteers. The princess has helped prepare horses for both Round-Up parades.