Haley Reynolds Crowned
49th Annual Hopkins County
Dairy Festival Queen
by: Bobby McDonald
It was the "crowning moment" of over 10 days of Hopkins County Dairy Festival activities, on Saturday night, when Master of Ceremonies, John Ginn, opened the envelope and revealed that Haley Reynolds, daughter of Ricky and Maleta Reynolds, had been named the 49th Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. Reynolds had earlier performed "Where the Boys Are," a Connie Frances tune about finding true love, in the Talent portion of the competition, and had been named the winner of the Stephanie Longino Davidson Talent Award, for her efforts as the top talent performer in the contest. Retiring Queen, Sarah Yosten, presented Reynolds with a dozen red roses, her crown, and sash, as tears of joy trickled down her cheeks.
New Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Haley Reynolds, is congratulated by her parents, Ricky
and Maleta Reynolds, after being crowned queen.
"I've looked at this competition all of my life and had a desire to become Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, since I was a little girl," allowed Haley. "My family has lived in Hopkins County always and I've sat back and watched the previous competitions with a hope of some day becoming Queen!"
Reynolds comes from a family that has been deeply involved in Dairy Festival activities. Her mother, Maleta Fox Reynolds, was a Dairy Festival Queen Candidate, back in 1979. Her cousin, Katie Watson, was the 2006 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, and she had solicited the help of voice lessons from the 1975 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Kim Baxter, a family friend, as she prepared for her talent presentation.
"Warm Wishes"........Mr. & Mrs. Clovis Fox, left, and Mr. & Mrs Arthur Reynolds, right, congratulate their granddaughter, Haley
Reynolds on being named Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen.
Mrs. Mandy Moseley smiles proudly, as her great-granddaughter, Haley,
has been named Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen.
Reynolds is the granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Author Earl Reynolds and Mr. & Mrs. Clovis Fox, and the great-granddaughter of Mrs. Mandy Moseley.
Reynolds will preside over a number of ribbon cuttings, community activities, and share in helping the Hopkins County Dairy Festival celebrate its Golden 50 Year Anniversary in 2009. "It's a dream come true that really hasn't become a reality," expressed Haley. "I've been so focused and nervous about doing everything right in the contest, that I haven't really had time to think about what would happen if I won!"
"A little bit of advice......" 2006 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Katie Watson, left, helps the new queen position her crown, and she
receives a "bear hug," from 1975 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen and voice coach, Kim Baxter.
Named First Runner-Up in the competition, Saturday night, was Britney Chetham, daughter of Kurt and Connie Chetham. Winning Second Runner-Up was Alyssa Burney, daughter of Butch and Karen Burney, and Kaitlyn Potts, daughter of Doyle and Kim Potts was named Third Runner-Up in the 2008 contest.
New Dairy Festival Royalty includes, from left, 3rd Runner-Up, Kaitlyn Potts, 2nd Runner-Up, Alyssa Burney, Queen,
Haley Reynolds, and 1st Runner-Up, Britney Cheatham.
2007 Queen Sarah Yosten presents the Miss Congeniality Award to Chesley McGlammery,
daughter of Kim and Mike Moore and David McGlammery, as she was chosen by her
peers for the award.
Reynolds expresses surprise at being named 2008 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen and is
presented her roses by 2007 Queen Sarah Yosten.
Reynolds received congratulatory hugs from friends, family, and
supporters, following her coronation, on Saturday night. Here,
sound man and classmate, Stephen Kramer offers his congratulations.
"We can't award the crown of Dairy Festival Queen to all of you," expressed Master of Ceremonies, John Ginn. " And, what a tragedy, but, each of you can be proud of your many, many talents and the outstanding way that you have represented, yourselves, your families, and the community, in this contest. I've never worked with a more pleasant or talented group of young ladies and it makes me proud to live in Sulphur Springs, Texas, where such great people exist!"
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