df1972

Gina Chancellor, 1972 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen

"Long Hair and Short Skirts" Were
Fashions When 1972 Dairy Festival
Queen Was Named

by: Bobby McDonald

Queen Gina Chancellor poses with the little children that appeared with her
as she reigned over the 1973 Dairy Festival. Youth on the front row include:
Jonas Helm, Jennifer Bell, Kim McCasland, Jennifer Kennedy, Gena Watson,
and Amy Bowers. Second row includes: Amanda Motes, Sara Lindley, Randa
Hall, and four unidentified children.

When Hopkins County paused to celebrate Dairy Festival in 1972, it would be what many then would term a time of "radical change." The week before Dairy Festival unfolded, the headlines read "Trims Ordered for Schoolboys!" And, Sulphur Springs High School Vice-Principal, Lewis Watts, was quoted as saying, "It's a problem we deal with every day, long hair on the boys and short skirts on the girls!"

Over thirty boys at Sulphur Springs High School had been "singled-out" as they walked the halls and were brought to the Principal's Office, in a "crackdown" on long hair. They were given the option to trim their hair or be expelled from classes. "This is nothing unusual," declared Watts. "It's something we've been tolerating off and on all year, but we've finally got to do something about it. The boys keep letting their hair grow longer and the girls keep raising their skirts shorter and shorter. There has to be a limit!"

SSHS Principal Wayne Galyean echoed Watts sentiments, "We have a dress code and the school board expects us to administer it!"

The incident was caused by what was termed a "blatant" disregard for school policy. "Male student's hair was not to cover the eyes, ears, or collar and could not 'flair-out' in a 'duck-tail' fashion in the back; boy's sideburns are not to extend below the bottom of the ear! " explained Watts. "Girl's dresses are not to be over three inches above the knee!"

The threat of expelling students had caused a massive "write-in" campaign to the local paper, in the "Letters to the Editor" section, with students and parents criticizing the local SSISD School Board, for not following the fashion trends of the day. "A recent atrocity at SSHS was the unrestrained attack at the locks of hair on male students," wrote one disgruntled student. "Why has this attack been unleashed? It's simply that the school system doesn't like hair! The Dress Code doesn't say how long hair can be, it just states 'neat and clean grooming' and that way the broad interpretation can be enforced by the school administration any way they want! When is the school board going to see the light and realize that long hair is a fashion reality?"

"They want to make us all look like 'goat-ropers,' when we go to school," bemoaned another SSHS Student. "It's fine if you want to wear boots and levi's, but then it should be o.k. if you want to wear long hair and hot pants!"

Meanwhile, one parent wrote a letter asking, "What does the length of one's hair have to do with someone's scholastic ability?"

Another stated, "Parents should make the decision, not the school board or principal, about what is proper for their children to wear!"

And, another wrote, "undoubtedly I have a much higher opinion of the students and their parents than the SSISD Board does, or they wouldn't be trying to dictate what is the proper fashion for the entire town. Students at SSHS don't want to be 'carbon copies' of the adults in this town! I feel, children should be encouraged to be individuals and the school is 'hung up' on conformity!"

As one student, who was at SSHS at the time, commented, "We were just emulating what we saw on the movie screen, when we grew our hair long! However, it took it at least five years to make its way to Sulphur Springs, so it was probably 'out of style' in Hollywood by the time we were being so 'radical,' at the high school!"

And, before you start "picking on" the youth of the era, you might look at some of the fashion statements that the younger adults were making in Sulphur Springs! View the hair-do's of the women in the following picture of the Dairy Festival Board. "Hair was definitely IN!"

1972 Dairy Festival Board Members Included

First Row: Lulu Helm, Billy Sam Elliott, Judy Palmer, Lena Mae Rogers.

Back Row: Larry Gee, Kent King, Margarite Elliott, Alice Gamblin, Morna Cates,
Kay McCool, Betty Chapman, Jill Helm, Rosemary Bailey, Jeanette Watson, Lynda
Hager, Leo St. Clair, and Carl Brice.

Nine young ladies entered the competition for Dairy Festival Queen in 1972. They included: Libby Scott, representing the B&PW Club; Sheila Bearden, representing Miller Grove High School, Sherrie Sanderson, representing Waverly Club; Jana Koon, representing Mother's Culture Club; Neta Jane Clifton, representing Cumby High School; Gina Chancellor, representing Jr. Waverly Club; Luanne Preuss, representing Rotary Club, Vickie McFadden, representing Beta Sigma Phi; and Vickie Harris, representing Sulphur Bluff High School.

The nine young ladies competing for Dairy Festival Queen joined Queen Beth Ashcroft at a "get acquainted"
party prior to the competition.

And, speaking of fashion, Ellen's Dress Shop was advertising their nice selection of "smock" tops and "hot pants," with a great offering of "fish net" hose to accompany them!

Marshall's Department Store was featuring ladies "Easy Street" pumps for $12.99 a pair and "Front Row" sandals for only $9.99. Men's Dress shirts were priced at $3.44 each or two for $6.50. The also wanted everyone to know they had a "nice selection of fashionable 'go-go boots,' on their rack!"

Politics were a "heated" issue in the spring of 1972, as almost every office from the local to the state level had a full slate of candidates for the Democratic Primary. The Governor's race pitted incumbent Preston Smith against former Governor Dolph Briscoe and a relative newcomer to politics, Mrs. Frances "Sissy" Farenthold. Of course, the 18 year olds had gained the right to vote and heavy campaigning was conducted to attract youthful voters to the polls. "Sissy" Farenthold had her own "fan club" in Sulphur Springs, with many youth going to the Sulphur Springs Airport to lend their support, for the candidate that their parents thought was "extremely radical" for the times.

This group of local youth comprised Sissy Farenthold's "Kiddy Corps," that campaigned for her
and met her plane at the Sulphur Springs Airport. Can you identify any of them? And, the photo
was taken with a "Swinger-instamatic" camera, that you peeled-off the film for development!

And, locally Sheriff Paul Ray Jones had won re-election as sheriff, in May of 1972. L.E. Goldsmith and Robert Ardis were in a "run-off" for the position of County Judge, and Mervin Chester and Gene Tanton would "battle" for the Precinct #3 County Commissioner's Court position, in the June Run-Off Election.

"Keeping the peace".... Sheriff Paul R. Jones, had won re-election without a run-off in 1972.

The theme for the 1972 Hopkins County Dairy Festival was "Our American Heritage," and the floats in the Dairy Festival Parade reflected moments in American History. Jana Koon, rode the winning float, constructed by the Mother's Culture Club, featuring the 1849 California Gold Rush. Second place honors were awarded to Cumby High School's entry, rode by Neta Jane Clifton, that was a replica of Fulton's Steamship. Third place honors went to Jr. Waverly's entry, rode by Gina Chancellor, which was one of the most "unusual" floats ever constructed for the parade. The float was an "exact" replica of the "Kitty Hawk" Plane, flown by the Wright Brothers, and was designed by Gina's Dad, Warren Chancellor. It was pulled by high school boys dressed in white coveralls.

Jana Koon's "1849 California Gold Rush" float was awarded first place in 1972.

Neta Jane Clifton's Cumby High School float featured Fulton's Steamboat, and was
awarded second prize.

Gina Chancellor's "Kitty Hawk" float was awarded third prize. Chancellor is shown riding on the plane that was
pulled by high school boys, Danny Holder, Bill Harry, Brad Skidmore, David Bradley, and David Black. The
two "sign bearers" in front were Scott Keys, on the left, and Jeff April on the right, as they prepared to enter
the parade from Buford Park.

Following the Dairy Festival Parade, hosted at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday of Dairy Festival Week, the headlines read "Big Blow Hits Floats." An army helicopter was to make an appearance for Dairy Festival and came "soaring" into Buford Park. But, the floats were covered with cotton, paper, and other materials that were "picked-up" by the wind created by the helicopter and it caused "havoc" among the Dairy Festival Candidates and their float sponsors. Vickie McFadden's float was covered in cotton and the aircraft landing took most of the cotton away! Fast thinking and industrious ladies from the sponsoring Beta Sigma Phi Club, immediately went to work and with a short delay in the start of the parade and the float was "as good as new" with some glue, cotton, and fast work!

Vickie McFadden's 1972 float, before the helicopter landed next to it!

And, as Beta Sigma Phi members "scrambled" to put it back together in time for the afternoon parade.
Note the women's hair styles and the one lady who had her's up in "curlers" for the Dairy Festival
Program that night!

This was Sulphur Bluff High School's entry in the 1972 Dairy Festival Parade, note the classic truck
pulling the float.

Sherrie Sanderson's float entry in the 1972 Parade sponsored by the Waverly Club.

Sheila Bearden's Miller Grove High School float in the 1972 Parade, depicted the signing of the
The Declaration of Independence.

The Queen's Coronation was held on Thursday night, following the afternoon Dairy Festival Parade. Candidates arrived at the Sulphur Springs High School Football Field (It hadn't been named Gerald Prim Stadium, yet), on their parade floats. Each was presented and escorted from her float, down a walkway, and up a flight of stairs, as approximately 1500 people "looked on." Reigning Queen, Beth Ashcroft, was presented and took her place on the throne, prior to naming her successor.

Luanne Preuss atop her 1972 Dairy Festival Float constructed by her parents and the Rotary Club. Note
her little sister, Suellen, in one of those "short skirts" admiring the float from the back!

Libby Scott on her 1972 Dairy Festival float depicting the First Thanksgiving, constructed by
the B&PW Club.

Of course, the "patriotic" theme was used in the Tuesday night Talent and Beauty Show and again on Coronation Night in the football stadium. "Flag Girls" included: Gena Watson, Karol Ann Kelty, Amanda Motes, Jennifer Bell, Edyie McDowell, and Randa Hall (all would eventually compete in the Hopkins County Dairy Festival, when they became old enough!).

Vocalist, Jim Paul, serenades the Queen and her court, before Gina Chancellor is named the 1972 Hopkins County Dairy Festival
Queen in the SSHS football field.

Entertainment for the coronation was provided by the SSHS Stage Band, under the direction of Rex Wilemon, the Sulphur Springs Blue Blazes Drill Team, under the direction of Edna Mabe, and Vocalist Jim Paul. Grady and Vickie King provided background music for the pageant.

Gina Chancellor, daughter of Warren and Suzy Chancellor, was named the 1972 Dairy Festival Queen, while Jana Koon, daughter of Brody and Mary Koon, was named the first runner-up in the competition. Chancellor was also named the "Talent Winner" for her presentation of a tap dance to "Georgie Girl." "I remember that I had a backdrop of a Broadway style marquee with 'Gina' in lights, made by mom," recalls Chancellor. "I had been ill the month before the pageant, so I didn't have much time to practice, and was surprised that I won the talent segment of the competition!"

Jana Koon was awarded the $75.00 savings bond for selling the most Dairy Festival Tickets and Sherrie Sanderson was awarded second prize of a $50.00 savings bond. Vickie McFadden was declared the "Beauty Winner" in the contest.

We located 1972 Dairy Festival Queen, Gina Chancellor Reese, living in Austin, Texas, today, with her husband of 32 years, Don Reese. Don and Gina were married on July 31, 1976, in First United Methodist Church, in Sulphur Springs. Don is a licensed CPA and obtained his law degree from the University of Texas in Austin, then became a founding partner in a commercial real estate company, located in Austin. Gina graduated Sulphur Springs High School in 1973 and finished her marketing degree at the University of Texas, in three years, graduating in 1976. She worked for the UT System until 1982, when her daughter was born.

Gina is shown here in a recent photo, with her parents Suzy and Warren Chancellor. "I can't talk
about my involvement in Dairy Festival without thanking my Mom and Dad for their untiring devotion
and support. They were real troopers to accompany my through my Dairy Festival experiences!"

"I was fortunate to be a 'stay at home mom' while I reared my two children, Alison and Andy," expresses Gina. "Now, I'm what everyone calls ' a professional volunteer,' as I am actively involved in community, church, and philanthropies. I take great joy in teaching pre-school children every Sunday and coordinate a preschool for the 'Mom to Mom' ministry at church. I feel extremely blessed to be able to give back, by giving my time to help others!"

Gina's children Andrew Ryan "Andy" Reese, is 22 and a UT graduate, living and working in Austin. Her daughter, Alison, also a UT graduate, is 26 and married to husband Matt Spurlock. They are expecting Gina's first grandchild in January 2009. They live and work in Austin, also.

Gina's parents, Warren and Suzy Chancellor, moved to Sun City, in Georgetown, in 1996, but are frequent visitors to Austin and make a "pilgrimage" back to Sulphur Springs, annually, to see family and friends. Gina's grandparents were Ben and Lois Wood of Sulphur Springs and Walter and Daisy Chancellor of Cooper, who are all now deceased. Warren Chancellor was a pharmacist in Sulphur Springs and Emory, for years, and Suzy Chancellor taught elementary school. "I grew-up serving dairy products from the soda fountain in the drug store," exclaims Gina. "And, I did my share of gift wrapping during high school!"

"We're 'die hard' Texas Longhorn fans," describes Gina. "With season tickets to UT football, basketball, and baseball games, and spend much of our leisure time supporting the Longhorns (this Aggie won't hold that against them!)."

"My parents were not in the dairy business, but I was very fortunate to have close friends who were," remembers Gina. "The Brody Koon family was like a second family to me and I learned about the dairy industry visiting with them on a regular basis. Jana was a classmate, fellow cheerleader, and best friend, and we're still in constant contact, so she keeps me abreast of happenings in Hopkins County!"

Gina is shown in this family portrait with her husband of 32 years, Don Reese,
her daughter, Alison and husband Matt Spurlock, and back row, son, Andy Reese.

"I remember feeling very honored to represent Hopkins County as their Dairy Festival Queen of 1972, and promote the dairy industry at many events," continued Gina. "Jana accompanied me to the Northeast Texas Dairy Show and we 'passed-out' ribbons and awards, and then I represented Sulphur Springs in a number of pageants in neighboring towns. I feel that gaining these experiences at the age of 17 and 18, gave me invaluable experience and opportunities to build confidence and become the person I am today!"

"I also remember that one of the 'fringe' benefits of becoming Queen was the use of a 1972 'powder' blue, Monte Carlo, for a couple of weeks, complements of Gober-Merrell Chevrolet," states Gina. "It was fun to drive, since I was driving my parent's old Chevy Impala, at the time!"

"I remember what a great asset it was to have Lena Mae Rogers guide me through my year as Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen," exclaims Gina. "I had watched her with awe from a little girl and felt honored to be able to participate in this tradition with her! I thought she was the Dairy Festival, growing up!"

In reflecting on being named Queen, Gina relates, "I can still remember the night of the coronation. I remember feeling like a princess, as a family friend, Ike Harper, escorted me off my float. It was a beautiful night under the stars in the football field and tears of joy flowed and mascara ran, as my lifelong friend, Beth Ashcroft crowned me Queen!"

And, while Gina's mascara was running, the youth in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County were taking advantage of the Howard's Discount Center's sale on record albums for $3.77 and 8-track tapes for only $4.33. Top songs included: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," by Roberta Flack; "Alone Again, Naturally," by Gilbert O'Sullivan; "American Pie," by Don McLean; and Sammy Davis, Jr.'s "Candy Man." Others included: Mac Davis' "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me; "Brand New Key," by Melanie; "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl," by Looking Glass; "If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Want to Be Right," by Luther Ingram; "Heart of Gold," by Neil Young; "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress," by the Hollies; and "Song Sung Blue," by Neil Diamond. You might have also enjoyed: "Everybody Plays the Fool," by Main Ingredient; "Precious and Few," by Climax; "Burning Love," by Elvis; and "I Can See Clearly Now,' by Johnny Nash. Three Dog Night's, "Black and White"; Dr. Hook's "Sylvia's Mother;" and "Hurting Each Other," by The Carpenters, were probably on your play list, along with Donny Osmond's "Puppy Love."

If you were a "goat roper," you were probably listening to Country and Western Music and purchasing some of your clothes and Tony Lama Boots at "The Western Corral," located across Gilmer Street from Spring Village Shopping Center. Your 8-tracks would have included "Happiest Girl in the Whole USA," by Donna Fargo; "Delta Dawn," by Tanya Tucker; "Kiss an Angel Good Morning," by Charlie Pride; and "You Don't Mess Around With Jim," by Jim Croce, or "Goodtime Charlie's Got the Blues," by Danny O'Keef.

The Week of Dairy Festival 1972, the Mission Theater was showing "The Culpepper Cattle Company," described as "the boy from 'Summer of '42' becomes a man on the cattle drive of 1866." Other movies at the Mission included "Doctor Zhivago." Hi-Vue Drive-In featured "JW Coop," starring Clif Robinson; "See No Evil," featuring Mia Farrow," and Dustin Hoffman in "Straw Dogs."

Price Ford Sales was still located on Jefferson Street and featured their 1972 Ford Ranger XLT, 3/4 ton pick-up for $2950.00, with a V-8 engine, factory air, power, and an automatic transmission. But, have no fear, if you hadn't got factory "air" on your truck, they would add it for $225.00, and were featuring "the $6.00 oil and filter change!" Ardis-Linington Motor Company was featuring their new Mercury Comet for only $2232.00!

Joy Faison had been named valedictorian of the 1972 SSHS Graduating Class and Kathy Wyatt was the salutatorian. Terry Wright, Mark Horton, and Farron Griffin were headed to the State Track Meet, with Coach Larry Maroney accompanying them. And, 20 year-old, Barry Hargrave, a 1969 Graduate of Sulphur Springs High School and a student at ETSU, had been killed on the runway of the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport, on a Sunday afternoon, prior to Dairy Festival. He was flying a self-constructed airplane.

"Glen Haven Apartments," located at 539 South Moore Street was advertising that their establishment provided "Up Town Living," in Sulphur Springs and Quicky Foods featured eggs at 35 cents a dozen; potatoes at 29 cents a pound; and bacon and chuck roast both for 65 cents a pound. Pork Chops were 99 cents a pound and El Chico frozen dinners were only 43 cents.

Tommy Rawson and Gary Odom would "catch, pen, and haul your cattle!" And, a 72 acre dairy farm, near Yantis, featuring a 3-bedroom house, large hay barn, stanchion milk barn, and numerous other out buildings, was priced at just $61,000.00. A herd of 94 "high-grade" holstein cows, heifers, two bulls, and AMPI Milk Base could also be purchased separately. "It was an instant way into the local dairy business!"

Dairy farming's prosperity continued in 1972, with the three banks in Hopkins County, City National, Sulphur Springs State Bank, and People's National Bank, setting a record combined deposits for the first quarter of 1972, with at total of $49,846,907.00. Winzen Research Company had announced that it was expanding production and searching for quality workers in the area. Neighboring Commerce had just been voted "wet" and the Bonanza Liquor Store advertised "that they might be the only liquor store in Commerce, but our prices don't show it!"

The Northeast Texas Dairy Show opened on May 12th, 1972, with Dr. H.A. Herman, of Columbia, Missouri, the head of the Dairy Science Department there, serving as judge. Over three hundred entries were recorded in the show with over 200 of them in the Holstein Division. Local exhibitors in the Holstein Division included: David Sewell, Amy & Clint Anderson, Neal Anderson, Kristi Skelton, James Jackson, Tony Smith, W.F. Chamness, Tommy Rawson, C.F. Tucker, and Jim Glenn. Rawson showed the Grand Champion Holstein Bull and Tony Smith showed the Reserve Champion.

In the Jersey Division, it was a little girl from Como, Kelly Kight, that was the exhibitor of the Champion Jersey Female and Jack Newsom was the exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion. Other exhibitors included: Rickey Koon, Jana Koon, Randy Koon, Robert Newsom, and Karman Koon. In the Other Breeds Division, Dwight Alexander showed the Reserve Champion Female, with other exhibitors being: Sheila Bearden, Cynthia, Clifton, and Rodney Alexander, Nancy Mitchell, and Mark Teel.

"I learned so much about the dairy industry and Hopkins County, serving as Dairy Festival Queen," exclaims Gina Chancellor Reese. "I'm proud to have been a part of such an outstanding organization and look forward to coming back to celebrate 50 years of memories, in 2009!"

And, in case you were wondering who won the "battle of the hair" at Sulphur Springs High School, just go and look at a 1973 or 1974 "Cat's Paw," and you'll see that fashion trends changed dramatically by the time pictures were taken for those years!

______