2000  Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
Rachel Miller

 

Millennium Queen Praises
Festival For Confidence in Life

by: Bobby McDonald

 

"My Dairy Festival experience built confidence for life!" exclaims the 2000 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Rachel Miller. "I would recommend the experience to any young lady that is asked to be in the pageant. It will be an experience she will remember always!"

As Hopkins County paused to celebrate the first Dairy Festival in the new millennium, they chose "Deep in the Heart of Dairyland" for their theme and began activities with a Fun Run and 5K Milk Run on June 10th, followed by the Dairy Festival Parade, the Milking Contest, and the State Ice Cream Freeze-Off. It was a busy day for the contestants and the board.

Joining Rachel Miller, sponsored by Dial Study Club, as a Dairy Festival Candidate were Angela Poteet of Miller Grove High School, Corine Tilson, sponsored by Rotary Club; Brandi Bell; Jennifer Dixon; Carmon Mitchell; and Nikki Roberts.

 

 

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" was the top movie of 2000, grossing over $260 million at the box office. Running a close second was Tom Hanks in "Cast Away," that grossed over $233 million. Other top movies included: "Mission Impossible II," "Gladiator," "What Women Want," "The Perfect Storm," "Meet the Parents," "X-Men," "Scary Movie," and "What Lies Beneath."

And, it was Faith Hill with her "Breathe" that topped the Pop Charts in 2000, followed by "Smooth" by Santana, featuring Rob Thomas. Other top hits included: "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child; "I Wanna Know," by Joe; Vertical Horizon's "Everything You Want;" Santana's "Maria Maria;" and "I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden. Toni Braxton made popular "He Wasn't Man Enough" and "Bent" was the popular song by Matchbox Twenty. It was the Country and Western group Lonestar that made popular "Amazed" and "Bye, Bye, Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me" were made popular by 'N Sync. The group Creed made hits with "With Arms Wide Open" and "Higher."

On the Country and Western Charts it was Toby Keith at the top asking "How Do You Like Me Now?" And, Lee Ann Womack was belting out the famous "I Hope You Dance." Lonestar made popular "What About Now" and the Dixie Chicks had the hit "Cowboy Take Me Away."  Husband and wife Faith Hill and Tim McGraw both had top country hits with "Breathe" and "My Best Friend," while Hill made popular "The Way You Love Me." It was Chad Brock that brought us "Yes!" in 2000 and constant hitmaker, George Strait introduced "The Best Day." John Michael Montgomery had the hit "The Little Girl" and Jo Dee Messina brought us "That's The Way."  Aaron Tippin introduced the popular "Kiss This" and Kenny Rogers had a hit with "Buy Me A Rose," while Alan Jackson's 2000 hit was "It Must Be Love."

Meanwhile, on the national scene, local residents were disturbed when the Supreme Court ruled student-led prayer at athletic games violated the constitution. However, the practice continued at local events.

In Hopkins County "shovels of dirt" officially began the Coleman Park Project and $100,000.00 had been given by local philanthropist Mary Bonham for the Courthouse restoration project. A logo for the water tower at Coleman Park was chosen in May of 2000, but would eventually be replaced when the large letters bearing C-O-L-E-M-A-N became confusing to motorists on I-30.

Local agricultural leaders announced that the Hopkins County Dairy Farm Count had risen in April 2000 by one additional dairy farm, giving the county 213 dairy farms. Those dairy farms produced 55.65 million pounds of milk in the month of April, falling about 5 million pounds from March of that year. However, the total number of dairy farms had fallen by 25 farms from a year earlier totals.

 

Miller is congratulated by her sister, Stacey, after being crowned queen.

 

Kyle King, local SSHS track star, was headed to the State Track Meet in Austin, but Lady Wildcat, Franki Jimmerson was surprised to get beaten in competition at the Regional level in Denton.

The Como-Pickton Lady Eagles who had won the Region II-2A title in 1999 saw their season end in a three game tournament in Mt. Pleasant, when they succumbed to the Mt. Pleasant Chapel Hill Lady Red Devils. And, depite rainfall running participants for cover, the local Relay For Life Campaign raised over $100,000.00 in 2000 for cancer research and brought awareness to the community.

Circle E Western Wear was advertising wrangler overalls for $36.95 a pair and had Lady's Rocky Mountain Jeans for only $59.95 in a Dairy Festival Sale. The Lady Wildcats Softball Team saw their season end with a shut-out by Corsicana in 2000, while the Miller Grove Hornets and the North Hopkins Panther Baseball Team made the play-offs, but were eliminated in Bi-District play.

The SSHS alcohol and drug testing procedures were being used as a "model" for other schools across the state of Texas, while they were conducting a disaster drill during the month of May, to have students prepared. And, the "Love Bug" computer virus was reported to be spreading quickly!

The Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation has announced plans to build a "spec" building, in hopes of attracting industry to the local area. And, the Hopkins County Airport has announced receiving a $315,000 grant for improvements of that local facility.

At the local SSHS Sports Banquet, it was Laresa Wilson and Meredith Doyle, who were selected for the Forrest Gregg MVP Award in the ladies division, while Kyle King was selected for the male award.

In the spring 2000 elections it was close balloting for positions on the local City Council, school and hospital board. Bill Watts, incumbent, and Garry Jordan and Mike Shing were elected to the Sulphur Springs City Council, while Ricky Berry and Jeff Harris were elected to the Sulphur Springs ISD Board. It was Alfred Glaess and Roger Bothwell that were elected to the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board.

The Sulphur Springs High School Accounting Team had won the state UIL title, to bring honors back to Sulphur Springs, and it was Brad Cutrell and Callie Willingham that earned Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors for the Class of 2000. And, it was a "tie" for the top spot at Miller Grove High School when Sue Ann Sparks and Mary Russell were named co-valedictorians of the class.

Local dairy farmers were "watching the clouds" when the National Weather Service had warned to expect drought conditions to persist through the summer of 2000. However, local farmers had received adequate rainfall during the months of April and May.

And, it was in May 2000 that the Union Community was celebrating its Sesquicentennial as a community.

 

Queen Rachel Miller is shown with her parents, Julie and Mark Miller, following being crowned
in 2000.

 

When it came time for Dairy Festival Pageant night, it was 17 year old Rachel Miller, daughter of Mark and Julie Miller, that received the "nod" of the judges for the Millennium Queen. She had sang "Breath of Heaven" for the talent portion of the contest. "I had practiced in the shower, with the karaoke machine, and all over the house and I think if my parents had had to listen to the Amy Grant song one more time, they were going to kill me," expressed Rachel Miller Evans. "But, all the practice paid off, when it came time for the contest!"

First runner-up in the contest was Amy Poteet, daughter of Johnny and Donna Poteet of Miller Grove, with Corine Tilson, daughter of Kathy Tilson, taking the second runner-up position.  The three winners were interviewed by the media and Miller exclaimed that her most favorite part of the Dairy Festival contest had been "dressing up and the make-up and now the crown!" Poteet had the most fun at the Milking Contest and Tilson allowed that the talent portion had been the most fun for her.

2000 Queen Rachel Miller was found living in Austin, as a newlywed, where she is an aesthetician, working for two doctors. She states, "My greatest accomplishment in life is marrying my husband, Justin. I am truly blessed to be at this point in my life!"

Miller's parents, Mark and Julie, still live in Sulphur Springs, and Rachel visits frequently. Her sister, Stacey lives in Ft. Worth and her brother, Caleb and his wife, Britney, live in Cincinnati.

"Dairy Festival gives you a certain confidence to equip you for life," exclaims Rachel. "Think about it...all eyes are on you. The crowd, the lights, all of the hard work, practice, and preparation are memories and responsibilities that will prepare you for life. What an honor it is to be crowned in front of your family, friends, and community. Even after the pageant, going to the meetings, the ribbon cuttings, and other appointments teaches you responsibility during your formative years. The Dairy Festival is a special memory that I'll never forget!"

"As you get older, you realize how happy you are with certain decisions you made early in life, and my participation in Dairy Festival is one of those decisions," continued Rachel. "It's a great, great opportunity for young ladies in Hopkins County and one that I would recommend to anyone who is asked to participate.

"My best friend, Lindsey Bolton, who has now passed away, helped me prepare for my performance, and that is a memory that I'll treasure always," adds Rachel. "Memories of us both singing on the little karaoke machine, acting like we were on stage, run through my mind, as a special time. I will never forget her support and giving me such great pointers, that came from years of vocal lessons!"

 

Rachel Miller Evans, today lives in Austin, Texas, where she is newly married
to her husband, Justin Evans, and works as an aesthetician.

 

"I will never forget being on stage and not being able to see anything in the audience for the bright lights, and that was a good thing, because I was shaking so bad, during the talent portion of the show," allowed Rachel. "But, the confidence that I gained made my appearance in the next year's festival and singing the National Anthem at my high school graduation a breeze!"

Rachel says that having her name called as the 2000 Queen has to be her favorite memory of the experience. However, she allowed that she'll never forget the milking contest, as she had a "fiesty" cow that day, that like to kick a lot!

"I have fond, fond memories of my year as the 2000 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen," shares Rachel Evans. "And, I'm looking forward to returning to the 2009 Pageant and representing my year, as I reacquaint myself with old friends and share in the celebration!"

 

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