Princess Becky invites public to join fun

Published 5:11 pm Tuesday, August 14, 2007

ECHO – Morrow County Fair & Rodeo princess Becky Schiller likes to have a good time and encourages others to join the fun in Heppner this week.

“People will want to come during the court riding hours – three of the four are riding cows Saturday. It’s going to be an experience people will want to see,” she said.

Schiller said the court has a friendly wager on the event and she’s confident she’ll make it to the bell.

“It all comes down to whoever stays on the longest,” she said with a laugh.

Schiller comes from a family tradition of involvement in the fair. Her father served on the Fair Board and three aunts and two cousins each had stints either as pennant bearer, princess or queen.

“When my cousins were on the court I remember coming over and watching them,” Schiller said. “It was fun because Grandma Schiller had the camper set up and we’d watch.”

Schiller lives on the Vey Ranch on Big Butter Creek. Its location can be confusing – although it’s in Morrow County, it has an Echo address and the princess attended Pilot Rock High School. However, there’s no confusion where Schiller’s allegiance is.

The princess said some friends at school talked to her about trying out for the Umatilla County Fair court.

“But I thought I should try out for Morrow County – because it’s my county,” she said.

The princess, daughter of John and Shari Schiller, played basketball and softball in high school, being named twice as an all-league catcher.

Shari Schiller said her daughter’s reign on the court has resulted in a “costume change.”

“I think if she could wear shorts and tennis shoes and go around and visit people and ride horses, she’d be a happy camper,” Shari said with a laugh.

The princess acknowledged court appearances sometimes require some adjustments.

“All the dress up stuff – that’s definitely part of it,” Schiller said. “Sometimes it’s so hot when you’re putting makeup on, it’s melting off while you’re putting it on.”

Shari Schiller wasn’t surprised when her daughter tried out for the court.

“It’s something she’s always talked about,” the princess’s mother said. “She likes the riding and she’s a very social girl.”

Schiller has also enjoys hunting, participating in 4-H and showing sheep with the Pilot Rock Wooley Wranglers.

As an eighth-grader, the princess took a career class and became interested in dentistry. Last year she performed a job shadow with a dental hygienist and determined it was something she wanted to pursue.

Schiller plans to attend Blue Mountain Community College this fall. She intends to become a dental assistant, then study at a Boise technical school to become a dental hygienist.

In the meantime, Schiller will continue to enjoy activities associated with the court.

“These people know how to set up camp. We wake up in the morning and they (say), ‘We have breakfast burritos,'” she said with a laugh.

Schiller enjoys the camaraderie with the Morrow County Fair court and enjoys it when their paths cross with Umatilla County’s fair court.

“One of her friends from school, Cheyenne Ward, happens to be on Umatilla’s court,” the princess’s mother explained. “And if the two courts happen to be at the same place they will warm up with each other.”

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The Morrow County Fair & Rodeo opened today in Heppner.