PENDLETON — Five young women officially started their journey Saturday morning, Nov. 30, as the 115th Pendleton Round-Up Court.

Sydney Dodge, 20, of Pendleton, stepped into her new role as queen. Joining her on the court as princesses are Alexis Bowen, 20, of Pendleton; Rowdy Israel, 18, of Canyon City; Myranda Spicknall, 19, of Pendleton; and Lexi Thompson, 19, of Adams.

Dodge presented the four princesses with custom jewelry boxes and scrapbooks during the annual breakfast gathering at the Corey family’s home in Adams to welcome the new court.

Many of the Coreys either have served on the Pendleton Round-Up Association board of directors or the Round-Up court over the years. The introductory event for the court began in 1983, and this year featured a homemade breakfast of egg bake, bacon and cinnamon rolls as well as gifts for the new court members and their parents.

Among other presents, the court members also received their official earrings, which they’ll wear at events throughout the year, and were fitted for the leather outfits they’ll receive in April, custom-made by Char Bracher.

When representing the Round-Up, the court must look cohesive. This requires them to have matching outfits — with the queen’s outfit distinguished by its different color — and have their hair cut to the same length. A Pendleton Round-Up Association director and a chaperone escort the court to its events throughout the year. This year, Stuart Roberts and his wife, Lisa, fill those roles. Roberts, a former Pendleton police chief, was in charge of security for the 2024 Round-Up.

Starting the journey to sisterhood

Dodge, who was a princess herself under Queen Cloe Davis in 2023, said she plans to pull inspiration from Davis in how she presents herself and relates to her court.

“I think if we can all form a bond and form a sisterhood, then I think that we will be able to represent Pendleton Round-Up well,” she said. “I just really want these girls to cherish this time and have the most amazing time.”

Dodge said she’s excited to carry on the century of traditions involved in Round-Up, saying “our roots define who we are,” and noting she’s particularly looking forward to traveling and making new connections while representing the rodeo.

She is a taking online classes through Eastern Oregon University and working at an agricultural business in Hermiston, but said her priority for the year is her role as queen. Her mother, Jody Dodge, said she hopes her daughter will make memories to last a lifetime as queen.

“It is just an honor to be a part of such an amazing organization with so much history and volunteerism,” Jody said.

The 2024 queen, Kayla Fossek, presented each new court member with an engraved bracelet to commemorate their experience. Fossek said she feels like a “mother hen” to the new court.

“You come out with a strength, I guess, or a new knowledge of yourself, a confidence,” Fossek said of her own experience. “It definitely will be like a little sisterhood by the time Round-Up comes. They’ll fight like sisters, they’ll love like sisters, and they’ll protect each other like sisters.”

Reflecting on the past

Round-Up Association President Tiah DeGrofft, starting her second and final year in the leadership role, said she’s looking forward to reflecting on her time with the organization over the next year. DeGrofft grew up attending and volunteering at the Round-Up before going on to become a princess, queen and eventually, an association board member before becoming the first woman president of the association last year.

“All year, I felt like a brand new director. I felt like a rookie that was just getting blasted with the fire hose, learning all sorts of things, but my first year as president was a fantastic experience,” she said. “This year, I hope that I can really enjoy every minute and just be very present in everything that I’m doing.”

She said it’s “reinvigorating” to see the experience through each court’s eyes and watch the confidence and polish they develop throughout the year. She, like Fossek, attributes lifelong skills and knowledge to her experience on the Round-Up court.

Looking ahead, DeGrofft said she’s excited to mentor other rodeo boards as well as continue supporting the board of directors and incoming court members.

“I don’t think it ever gets old to be able to be associated with the Pendleton Round-Up,” she said. “I’m forever grateful that our stockholders and our board entrusted me with the leadership of it, and I hope that I am remembered for leaving it better than I found it.”