WALLA WALLA-The Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days Royalty Court spent much of last weekend working at a yard sale to raise funds for their upcoming season of travel. The young ladies will represent Walla Walla throughout the Pacific Northwest, traveling as far as Cheyenne, Wyo.

The court was selected in late October, and kicked off their season with appearances in the Walla Walla Veteran's Day Parade, followed by the Dayton and Waitsburg Christmas parades.

Waitsburg High School senior Devon Harshman says she is greatly enjoying the experience. The 18-year-old has participated with the Walla Walla Wagonettes for years, served as 2015 Waitsburg Celebration Days Queen, and was the 2016 Dayton Jackpot Rodeo Court Princess.

Devon grew up with horses and competed in barrel racing and breakaway in local jackpot rodeos. She is daughter of Becky Harshman, of Waitsburg and will be riding her Appaloosa-Quarter Horse, Corky, during her reign.

Harshman said her favorite experience on court so far has been carrying sponsor flags for the WWCC college rodeo, which was her first time back in the arena this year.

Harshman is in the Running Start program at WWCC. She plans to earn her AA in Animal Science before transferring to Central Texas University where she plans to complete her bachelor's in ranch management. Her ultimate goal is to own her own ranch, with the option of becoming a stock contractor.

"I'm looking forward to the traveling. I'm really excited to get out and about," Harshman said, about her court experience.

Harshman is joined by Queen Katie Skramstad and Princess Bekah Longmire.

Nineteen-year-old Skramstad is from Milton-Freewater and is the daughter of Scott and Kelly Skramstad. She graduated from Touchet High School in 2018 and is currently attending Blue Mountain Community College. She plans to transfer to Eastern Oregon University and ultimately, to apply to Pacific University School of Pharmacy to earn her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree.

Skramstad is a lifetime member of the Milton-Freewater Pioneer Posse, and grew up showing horses in English and Western events and competing in barrels, poles and figure-eights. Skramstad will ride her Red Dun Quarter Horse mare, Ruby, during her reign.

Skramstad she was strongly encouraged by her mother and sister to try out for court.

"My favorite experience so far was the Veteran's Parade because that was our first event together, and I got to wear chinks, which I had never worn before," she said.

Longmire, daughter of Shane and Tracy Longmire, grew up in Touchet and is currently a sophomore at Central Washington University. Bekah plans to earn a bachelor's in Biomedical Science with a minor in Ethics before continuing her education to become a veterinarian.

Unlike the other ladies, Longmire is a first-generation rider. She started in 4-H as a horseless member, took private lessons and went on to show in 4-H and on the Walla Walla High School Equestrian Team. This is her first time on court, and she will ride her American Paint, Piper.

Longmire said she tried out for court to experience a different aspect of horses.

"I've had a lot of experience is many different disciplines, but haven't experienced the rodeo aspect of horses," she said. "My favorite part of being on court so far is getting to know these two better. They are really cool girls and we wouldn't have run into each other, otherwise," she said, referring to Skramstad and Harshman.

All the ladies agreed that the event they are most looking forward to is the Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days. Friday night's rodeo will be extra-special for Katie, because it is her 20th birthday.

"Come and see us in Walla Walla over Labor Day weekend. We'll be out and about everywhere," Harshman said.