WAITSBURG - Waitsburg Celebration Days Weekend - May 17-18 -- is still in the planning stages, but one young lady has been hard at work, actively representing Waitsburg and Celebration Days for months. Queen Candidate Megan Morrison was selected to the Celebration Days Royalty Court in November and will be crowned Queen in a May 6 coronation ceremony.

Morrison tried out for court in November and began her royalty duties in December by appearing in the Dayton and Waitsburg Christmas Parades and at the Waitsburg Luminary. Megan served as a Celebration Days Princess in 2013 and is no stranger to the tryout process. Queen candidate applicants earn points based on horsemanship and execution of a riding pattern, a three-to-five minute prepared speech, a one minute impromptu speech, interview questions and a submitted essay.

An applicant must get at least 50% of the available points to be eligible for court. Traditionally, the applicant with the highest points is named Queen. Applicants are notified the day of tryouts if they make the court, but do not find out who is Queen until Coronation Day. With only one applicant for 2015, Morrison will hold the honor. Last year's court included: Queen Emily Adams, Princess Morgan Forney, Princess Bryeana Myrick and Princess Megan.

"Royalty court takes a dedicated family and young lady," said Court Advisor Amanda DeRuwe. "It is an expensive adventure because events are regional and horses are not cheap to maintain. Additionally, it is difficult to juggle outside sports and extra-curricular activities."

DeRuwe said the first court schedule listed approximately 50 events including parades, rodeos, riding lessons, public speaking clinics and community events. "Because of the support of Megan's parents, brother and her community she is able to be on the Celebration Days Court and still be involved in FFA and sports. Some days she's rushing right from practice to a community meeting," said DeRuwe.

Morrison is a 16-year-old sophomore who has lived in Waitsburg just over two years. "Growing up, I have always been more of a country girl. I always wanted to be out with my dad fishing or helping him out with whatever he needed help with," said Morrison. Her hobbies include upland bird hunting, fishing, water skiing, inner tubing, boating, snowboarding, barrel racing, training young horses, mud bogs, 4-wheeling, FFA livestock judging, FFA trap shooting, softball, cheerleading and trail riding with family and friends.

Morrison said she tried out for Celebration Days Court again this year because of her previous positive experience. "Being on court last year was most definitely the best thing that I could have asked for. Through the court year I learned so much about both myself and others around the area. I also learned so much about the community I'd moved to. The thing I like most about being on court is being able to show the younger girls that if they set their minds to do something, they can accomplish anything they could want to.

"I was also able to become closer to my horse in the aspect of learning how we worked as a team in the many different challenges we faced during the year," said Morrison. Sadly, Morrison's beloved gelding, Tex, was killed in a tragic trailer accident last summer. Though he will always be missed, Morrison was thankful to share that the family who had given her Tex, bought her a new horse - a 13-year-old Quarter Horse mare named Alera. Morrison said the type of event she most enjoys is the rodeo run-ins.

"The thing I like most about Celebration Days is the fact that no matter what country or small town fair you go to, you won't be able to go to one like ours. People should both attend and be involved helping with the Waitsburg Celebration Days because everything we do during the weekend is jam-packed full of fun and they will have memories for years to come. I know I do!" she said.

Morrison has been busy sharing her enthusiasm for Waitsburg and Celebration Days in a variety of ways - from visiting with veterans at Booker Rest Home in Dayton on Veterans Day to awarding the Citizen of the Year at Commercial Club.

"During the actual Celebration Days, I'm out with the community helping out with whatever I possibly can, as well as helping the younger kids out in some of their fun events like the mutton busting," she said. "I love being able to support my community in an unusual way that a lot of people can't."

"So far this year, Megan has continued to grow into a well-rounded young woman. Her adventures during her court year can be seen on the Waitsburg Celebration Days Royalty Facebook Page," said DeRuwe.

To help offset the cost of court, a benefit night has been scheduled from May 10 at the Plaza Theater. Further information will be released closer to the event date. Those who would like to be a part of Megan's coronation on May 6 should RSVP to Joy Smith at (509) 539-8773.