Days of the Old West royalty takes a bow

Recent Salmon High School graduate Shannon Williams, 18, won the 1998 Miss Days of the Old West queen contest held in conjunction with the July 2-4 Independence Day rodeo in Hailey. The new Teen Queen is Eddee McClain of Kimberly and the 1998 Junior Queen is Melinda Markin of Hailey.

Judges for the annual Miss Days of the Old West contest sponsored by the Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club were Lorraine Johnston, Brooke Butler, Angel Wynn, reigning Miss Rodeo Idaho and Boise State University student Shelly Williams of Kuna and 1994 Hailey Rodeo Queen Janie Dawn Varin of Castleford.

New queen Shannon Williams is a daughter of Patricia and David Williams.

The family operates an outfitting business in Carmen, Idaho. Shannon, who hopes to pursue a university degree in communications, will now prepare for the Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho pageant in August.

Shannon, Teen Queen first runner-up at the 1997 Hailey Rodeo, won several individual titles and prizes this year.

For being named Hailey Queen, Shannon won a sashe from the Sawtooth Rangers, roses from Idaho Mountain Express, cantle plate from Sawtooth Engineering, silver buckle from Sawtooth Auto Sales, $50 gift certificate from Silverado Western Wear and $20 gift certificate from Vickers in Twin Falls, and a prize from Lonesome Cowboy.

She won Miss Congeniality and silver earrings from Sawtooth Animal Center/Tack & Feed. In addition, Shannon was the winner of Queen Miss Photogenics, for a photo sitting certificate from Flolo’s Photography and earrings from Silverado Western Wear.

The new queen was the winner of Queen Poise and Personality, plus Queen Horsemanship. Her other prizes for these two titles were a $40 gift certificate from Cari’s Hair Care, a blanket from Smoky Mountain Outfitters with leather corner plates from Wood River Boot & Saddle.

1998 Teen Queen

Incoming Hailey Teen Queen is Eddee McClain, 17, daughter of Debbie and Ron McClain of Kimberly. She plans to attend college, seeking a degree in environmental law. Of course, Eddee enjoyed a great Hailey rodeo in 1995, as well, winning the princess title, princess horsemanship and Miss Congeniality in that year.

For being named Hailey Teen Queen, 1997 Sixth District girls’ cow cutting champion McClain won a sashe from the Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club, roses from Countryside Florist, cantle plate from The Appraisal Company, silver buckle from Sawtooth Auto Sales and a $50 gift certificate from Silverado Western Wear.

Eddee was the winner of Teen Queen Miss Photogenics, for a $50 gift certificate from F-Stop Camera & Video.

McClain also won Teen Queen Poise and Personality, plus Teen Queen Horsemanship. Her other prizes for these two titles were a manicure and eye shadow from Marinello’s, a blanket from Practical Rent-a-Car with leather corner plates from Wood River Boot & Saddle.

Eddee was also the lucky winner of the competition for a Tex Tan saddle from the Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club and matching breast collar from Wood River Equine Hospital.

Hailey Junior Queen

The 1998 Junior Queen is Melinda Markin, daughter of Janet and David Markin of Hailey. An honor roll student active in many sports, Melinda will be a seventh-grade student at Wood River Middle School.

For being named Junior Queen, Melinda won a buckle from Power Engineers and Jeff Neel, CPA, a sashe from the Sawtooth Rangers, a $40 gift certificate from Cowboy’s Corrals and apple-molasses from D&B Supply in Jerome.

Melinda was winner of Junior Queen Miss Photogenics, for a haircut from Becky Walter All-About-Hair Salon.

McClain also won Junior Queen Poise and Personality, plus Junior Queen Horsemanship. Her other prizes for these two titles were a manicure and eye shadow from Marinello’s, a blanket from Epic Travel with leather corner plates from Wood River Boot & Saddle.

Other prizes and thanks

Other award winners were:

Teen Queen first runner-up: Sara Lynn Sullivan, 16, a daughter of Carolyn and Barry Sullivan of Jerome. Sara moved up a spot from last year’s Teen Queen contest in Hailey. A National Honor Society member, she will be a junior at Jerome High School.

She won a gift basket from Webb’s Garden Center, a $20 gift certificate from The Drug Store and a hair care package from Growing Concern Hair Design.

Teen Queen second runner-up: Alicia Shaw, 15, a daughter of Rita and Hubert Shaw of Dietrich. She won a body and bath gift set from The Body Buff and a $20 gift certificate from Ross’ Western War.

Junior Queen first runner-up: Janell Marie Ramm, 12, a daughter of Lynn and Paul Ramm of Bellevue. Janell will be entering the seventh grade. She is an honor student at Bellevue Christian Academy.

Janell won a $17 gift certificate from J.C. Penney’s, a $15 gift certificate from The Drug Store and silver earrings from Bob’s Sports Pawn & Lock.

Outgoing royalty: Receiving bouquets of flowers from the Sawtooth Rangers were 1997 Hailey Queen Melissa Sullivan, 19, a daughter of Carolyn and Barry Sullivan of Jerome, along with last year’s Hailey Teen Queen Jenny Kinsey, 15, a daughter of Jan and Chris Kubs of Twin Falls.

Contest coordinators Kim Butler of Hailey and 1992 Days of the Old West queen Michelle Bobbitt of Bellevue expressed their thanks to the many individuals, businesses and organizations for their help in staging a successful royalty contest, including the following:

Epic Travel and Guffy’s for their donations toward the new crowns; Atkinsons’ Market for the wrist corsages; Webb Nursery for decorations; Kurt at Sawtooth Ford; Mary Ann Knight; Leslie Fairbrother of Wood River Equine Hospital.

"We couldn’t do it without you," said Butler.