Cheyanne Shoun is 2017 Waitsburg Celebration Days Queen

WAITSBURG – The 2017 Waitsburg Celebration Days Queen has been selected and will make her official debut at the Hometown Christmas Parade on Sunday. Incoming queen Cheyanne Shoun will lead off the parade, riding alongside reigning WCD queen Emily Adams.

Earlier this year, the WCD committee decided to move from an entire court to just a queen, due to cost, flexibility and lack of applicants. Cheyanne applied for the position, was recommended by WCD court advisor Ann Adams, and made a presentation at the November Waitsburg Celebration Days meeting.

Cheyanne is the 16-year-old daughter of Steve and Michelle Shoun, and was raised three miles outside of Waitsburg on the Hogeye. Her dad is a farmer and her mom serves as his right hand (wo)man and bookkeeper, she said.

The family grows peas, wheat, barley and hay on Shoun Farm. Cheyanne personally raises FFA steer which she markets at the Walla Walla fair.

"I have always loved being around tractors and horses and being part of a small town community where everyone knows everyone," Cheyanne said.

Cheyanne is a junior at Walla Walla High School and takes part-time classes through Running Start at Walla Walla Community College.

Cheyanne grew up with horses and says she could ride almost before she could walk. She enjoys traveling to jackpot rodeos and participating in barrel races. She and her 12-year-old paint, Forest Gump, have only been together for two years and have already been through a lot.

She was a 2016 princess of the Milton-Freewater court and packed sponsor flags at Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days for the last two years. Cheyanne and Forest Gump had the honor of leading the 2015 Pendleton Round-Up parade, carrying the American flag.

"That was a big opportunity and honor, and was very exciting," Cheyanne said.

She served as drill captain for the Washington High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) last year and has participated in the Milton Freewater Pioneer Possee "forever."

Cheyanne said she applied for WCD queen because she wanted to represent a small town in a positive way.

"Waitsburg is such a cute town and the people work so hard and go out of their way to make events like Celebration Days happen. My goal is to be easy to work with and to make things as easy as possible for everyone involved," Cheyanne said.

She's also looking forward to being a role model for future princesses.

"I love being around little kids. It melts my heart when kids tell me that I'm pretty and ask for a picture," she said.

Cheyanne said she is looking forward to every aspect of being WCD queen, but that she loves doing run-ins, which will make visiting Joseph, Ore. especially fun.

Cheyanne's cousins, 10-year-old Elsie Mann and 7-year-old Monte Richie, traveled with her last year, and will ride with her as flag bearers this year as well.

"I'm really looking forward to the Hometown Christmas parade. I was a little nervous since I was just selected and we're kind of winging it and putting everything together quickly, but I think it will be really fun," she said.

"Cheyanne is going to do a great job. I've known her since she was born. She's a fun girl, very professional, and a great ambassador for our community," said advisor Adams.