1994 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
Amy Webb
1994 Dairy Festival Queen Calls
Contest "A Season of Opportunity"
by: Bobby McDonald
When asked about her advice to anyone contemplating entering the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen's Contest, 1994 Queen, Amy Web, explained, " I would highly encourage any young girl to get involved in the Dairy Festival. The Dairy Festival is so much more than just a pageant. It's 'a season,' of preparation, activities, fun times with the other contestants, and a host of community events. It's a fun and exciting experience, and you will make a lot of wonderful memories!"
As Hopkins County paused to celebrate the dairy industry, in the spring of 1994, it was ice skater Tonya Harding that was in the news. She had won the U.S. Women's Figure Skating Championship, but her bodyguards were being charged with an attack on fellow skater, Nancy Kerrigan. Scott Davis had won the U.S. Men's Title for the year, and the world had conducted their 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway.
Medgar Ever's murderer had been sentenced to life in prison for the Civic Rights influenced crime that had happened over 30 years earlier, and "Where on Earth is Carmon San Diego" had debutted on television. Meanwhile, eleven members of the Branch Davidian cult had been tried in January of 1994, and several sentenced to prison terms. Former President Richard Nixon had passed away in April of 1994 and the world grieved the death of what some remembered as the "closest thing that America had ever come to having a queen," when Jackie Kennedy passed away on May 19, 1994, and was buried beside her husband, Former President John F. Kennedy, in Arlington National Cemetery.
An earthquake in Los Angeles, on January 17, 1994, had killed 60 people and caused over $3 Billion in damages to structures, public roadways, and infrastructure. And, things were great in Dallas, Texas, following a great Super Bowl XXVIII win by the Dallas Cowboys, in a 30-13 win over the Buffalo Bills, in Atlanta.
Queen Amy Webb is shown center with first runner-up, Rachel Allen, right, and second runner-up,
Sheila Hinton, following the 1994 pageant.
Meanwhile, it had been Country and Western stars, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Wynnona Judd, who had made a halftime appearance at the Super Bowl, in 1994. And, two relatively unknown Country and Western stars, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, were just entering the music scene in 1994, with then separate careers.
Hill had produced the number one single, "Wild One," that was on the Billboard Charts for four weeks, and McGraw had made popular "Don't Take The Girl," as well as receiving some "flack" from the 1993 hit "Indian Outlaw," from Native American groups.
However, it was John Michael Montgomery, that continued to "blaze" through the Country and Western Music scene with the popular "I Swear." Clay Walker brought us "Live Until I Die" and "If I Could Make a Living," while Neal McCoy made "Wink" and "No Doubt About It" popular in 1994. Faith Hill produced another hit with "Piece of My Heart" and Trisha Yearwood produced "XXX's and OOO's." Toby Keith brought us "Who's That Man" and Joe Diffie sang "Third Rock From The Son." Shenandoah performed "If Bubba Can Dance, I Can Too!" and Alan Jackson's 1994 hit included the song "Summertime Blues." Country and Western veteran Merle Haggard was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.
Meanwhile, on the Pop Charts, it was a cross-over song, "I Swear," sang by All-4-One, that made it to the top. Boyz II Men made popular "I'll Make Love to You," and Celine Dion brought us the memorable "The Power of Love." Mariah Carey will always be remembered for her 1994 hit, "Hero," and she sang "Anytime You Need a Friend," and joined Luther Vandross in bringing back the hit "Endless Love." Other popular songs for the year included: Salt-N-Pepa's "Shoop;" Michael Bolton's "Said I Love You But I Lied;" "Mr Vain" by Culture Beat; "Secret" by Madonna; and "Who Am I" by Snoop Doggy Dogg. Elton John brought us "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, and Sting joined forces to bring us "All For Love." The group Ace of Base brought us three top hits, "The Sign," "All She Wants," and "Don't Turn Around." Toni Braxton won a Grammy Award for "I Will Always Love You" and made popular "You Mean The World to Me."
The year 1994 found milk priced at 99 cents for a half-gallon at the local grocery store. Eggs were 59 cents a dozen, and beef brisket was on special for 99 cents a pound. A twelve-pack of can Dr. Pepper was priced at $1.99 and watermelons were only $3.99 each.
In Hopkins County, 1994 found District Attorney Frank Long's office dropping the murder charges against an Emory couple, John Harvey Miller and Debbie Tucker Loveless, who had been charged and convicted in the death of Loveless' 4 year old daughter. DNA evidence had substantiated the couples' claim that the child had been attacked by dogs. And, it was seniors Natalie Johnson and Jared Moffatt who had been selected as Junior-Senior Prom King and Queen.
And, speaking of the prom, an article related that the 1994 style for prom dresses varried. "This year's fashion range in style and length," read the article. "This year's prom dresses are not for the fainthearted, as they range from the short-short, to floor-length, but the common denominator is sleek, straight, and sophisticated," expressed local fashion shop owner, Debbie Morgan.
In Como-Pickton, Jacob Wilson and Amy Carr were working on perfecting the theater department's one-act play entry in UIL. The play, "Antigone" would go on to win numerous awards for the cast and make it to regional competition. And, a local young lady had definitely gained the attention of all the boys, when Megan Watson had won the drawing for the signed Nolan Ryan baseball card, given away in a drawing during opening ceremonies for boy's summer baseball.
In Sulphur Bluff, it was longtime educator and member of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board, Bruce Fielden, that had announced his retirement. He had been involved with the school since attending there first as a 6 year old, following a move to the community during "mid-term" of the first grade. Fielden stated that he'd served in the school in almost every aspect, except as a regular cook in the cafeteria!
And, Yantis High School had announced their high school cheerleaders for the 1994-95 year, following spring elections. Serving on the squad were: Carrie Mays, Head Cheerleader, Amanda Beck, Allison Earhart, Amelia Wilkins, Keisha Chamness, Cindy Roberts, Alicia Walker, Amy Hall, Christy Friddle, and Melanie Evans.
It was 1994 that the Sulphur Springs City Council passed a smoking ordinance that was to go into effect on July 1st. However, some revisions were anticipated for small restaurants. And, Cumby senior, Christy Petty was headed for Barcelona, Spain, to play volleyball during the summer of 1994. Wildcat soccer player, Cole McDonald, had signed a letter of intent to play for Mary-Hardin Baylor University and the Wildcat Baseball team was to play Paris for second place in the district. Team members were: Brent Wilhite, Tyler Dunlap, Rick Orr, Toby Armstrong, Rusty Mannon, Shelby Bruhn, Brad Horton, Wes Armstrong, T.C. Abron, Cody Hooten, Jon Eric Nordin, Jody Jones, Tyson Sims, Justin Davidson, and Jim Sheer. Coaches were Jason Stanley and assistant Donnie Martin.
Jared Moffatt won the Fighting Heart Award at SSHS with Shelby Bruhn winning the Forrest Gregg Award. Kelly Bell and Kelly Ham won the Forrest Gregg Ladies' award, while Amy Tanton and Jamie Fitzgerald were tapped for the Girl's Fighting Heart Award. Mrs. Colleen Hines, who had served as Home Economics Teacher at SSHS for the past 24 years, had announced her retirement, at the end of school in 1994.
In spring 1994 elections, it was Bill Burney and Stacy Cody, who were elected to the Sulphur Springs City Council, and it was incumbents, G.V. Hughes and Tommy Thompson, who were elected to the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board. Dr. Bill Dietze and Ricky Berry were elected to the SSISD Board.
TaMolly's Restaurant was offering their Wednesday night special as an "Enchilada dinner" for only $3.75, while Quicky Foods had a gallon of "Poinsettia" milk for only $1.99 a gallon.
Seven SSHS seniors were prevented from graduating because of the then controversial TASS test and senior Jon Vorhies received over $80,000.00 in scholarships at the spring awards ceremony. Valedictorian, Han Pham was awarded numerous scholarships, as well. And, Yantis had named their top graduates as Laura Lee Jetton and Amos Joel Hooker, while Sulphur Bluff High School named valedictorian and salutatorian as Jason Brown and Wendy Wright, respectively.
It was Jonathan Newsom, a senior at Como-Pickton High School, that had been awarded a $225,000.00 scholarship to West Point, where he would join his brother, Joel, who was a junior student there. Their parents were Robert and Robbie Newsom.
The Sulphur Springs Young Farmer Chapter was in a "heated battle" with the Sulphur Springs High School Coaches, in a public Donkey Basketball match-up, that brought roars of laughter from a large crowd. While, a 93 year old Sulphur Springs woman was killed on Gilmer Street, when she stepped-out into traffic. Florence McClanahan was pronounced dead at the accident site.
And, it was Hopkins County Agricultural Agent, Tommy Barker, that released a report, just prior to the Dairy Festival Celebration, revealing that although the number of dairies in Hopkins County were declining, the number of cattle were on the increase. Barker reported that we were "holding our own" in milk production figures for the county and had 423 dairy farms.
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson had scheduled a stop in Sulphur Springs, on Friday, June 3, 1994, and many were wanting to ask her about the "steep drop" expected in milk prices. Some indicated that the price "squeeze" was indicative of cows producing much more milk per cow, across the nation.
1994 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Amy Webb,
as she rode the Queen's Float in the 1995 Parade.
It was eleven young women that chose to enter the 1994 Hopkins County Queen's Contest. They were: Rachel Allen, Kara Altenbaumer, Lisa Aven, Lori Booker, Jolie Clifton, Sheila Hinton, Desiree Kesting, Chrissy Passons, Courtney Rorie, Amy Webb, and Alisha Wright. The theme for the 1994 festival would be "Hats Off To Dairyland."
When it came time for the 1994 Dairy Festival Milking Contest, it was candidate Amy Webb that exclaimed, "I'm excited. I just hope I don't squirt milk everywhere, when I get to milking!"
Candidate Jolie Clifton won the Milking Contest with 1.9 pounds of milk in her bucket. Lori Booker captured second place with 1.5 pounds of milk, and Desiree Kesting captured the third prize with 1.3 pounds of milk. In the Parent's Milking Contest, it was Jolie's mother, Sally Clifton, who won the contest with 3.4 pounds of milk.
Country and Western Singer, Scott Hoyt, entertained the crowd, on the downtown square for the 1994 Street Dance. And, Joy Allen took the "big prize" in the annual Ice Cream Freeze-Off, for her novelty entry. Her son, Bill Allen, Carole France, Tonya Ross, and Gladys Howell were other winners. And, shortly after the ice cream contest was over, it was an 87 year old woman who made a "drive-thru" at the local Joe Bob's Convenience Store, when she drove her automobile through the plate glass windows, of the Church Street store.
And, during Dairy Festival Week a local poll found residents in Hopkins County "split" over possible concealed gun legislation.
The 1994 Contest marked the 35th Anniversary of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival and 22 former queens were returning for the pageant, slated for June 11th. Five former Queens, Janet Skidmore Cason (1969), Julie Scott (1977), Lydia Wallace Walden (1980), Angie Diamond (1988), and Natalie Randles (1989) performed during the pageant.
It was a front-page photo in the 1994 Daily News Telegram that featured Dairy Debutante, Chesley McGlammery, as she was escorted by Chasen Folmar. Of course, both are seniors at Sulphur Springs High School, in 2009.
When a five-member panel of judges awarded their scores, it was 17 year-old, Sulphur Springs High School junior, Amy Webb, that had captured the crown as the 35th Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. First runner-up was Rachel Allen and second runner-up was Sheila Hinton.
Amy Webb had been sponsored by the Junior Waverly Club and had performed a dance routine to Celine Dione's song "What Is Love." Rachel Allen had presented an original monologue and Hinton had sang Mariah Carey's popular song, "Hero."
Alisha Wright was named the ticket sales winner in the 1994 contest.
And, the Monday after the Dairy Festival Pageant it was football great, O.J. Simpson, that was being questioned in the deaths of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman. The insuing trial would capture the air waves for the next two or three years, as it unfolded across the television screen.
1994 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Amy Webb Moffatt, today lives in Denton,
Texas, where she is a former teacher and current "stay-at-home" mom.
We found 1994 Dairy Festival Queen, Amy Webb, living with her husband, Jared, and four children, in Denton, Texas, today. "I still remember all of the candidates having to learn a dance routine to It's A Grand Old Flag," expresses Amy Moffatt. "Lynda Hager, I know, wondered if we'd ever get the routine down, but we did!"
Amy, the daughter of Dean Webb, who currently lives in Killeen, Texas, and the late, Jan Sims, has fond memories of her year as Dairy Festival Queen. "My mother had just recently lost her battle with cancer, in 1994, so the Dairy Festival helped to fill a void in my life, and the board members encouraged me to continue with the contest and pitched-in 'extra' effort due to the lack of my mother's presence. I am very appreciative of that now, as an adult, as I realized how much the board did to help me through some very difficult times. Britt and Susan Fisher accompanied me to the Black-Eyed Pea Festival and others lent helping hands throughout the year!"
"My year as Dairy Festival Queen was truly a year of great experiences," continued Amy. "I can't think of a more exciting time and more fun memories, that I will treasure always!"
Amy graduated Sulphur Springs High School in 1995 and attended Angelo State University, obtaining a BS in Biology and Kinesiology. She obtained her Masters Degree in School Administration and taught high school biology and anatomy in the Ozona School District for two years.
Amy Moffatt, is shown with husband, Jared, and their four young
sons, that she admits keeps them busy, along with Jared's coaching
duties, at Denton Ryan High School.
But, it was her marriage to Jared Moffatt, a fellow student from Sulphur Springs High School, that sealed her life as a "stay-at-home" mom. They are the proud parents of four little boys, Jayton, age 7, Mason, age 5, and twins, Austin and Jaxon, who are three years old now. "My husband and children are truly the 'light of my life' and we spend most of our time rearing our sons," explains Amy Moffatt. "Jared coaches football at Denton Ryan High School, in Denton, so much of our time is spent attending games and the activities associated with being a coach's wife."
Jared's parents, Dial and Suzy Moffatt still live in Sulphur Springs, so Amy and her family visit frequently and continue to have close ties with the community.
"I want to express my sincere thanks to the Dairy Festival Board for their untiring efforts in continuing the Dairy Festival for 50 years and making such a difference in my life," expresses Amy. "I look forward to returning and representing the girls of my era, as the proud 35th Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen!"
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