WOODLAND — The 2017 Woodland Planters Days Court was recently announced as organizers of the annual event continued preparations for the 95th edition of the popular community festival.
The three princesses were announced at a Woodland Chamber of Commerce event on Tuesday. This year’s Planters Days Court is made up of Ashley Estep, Lindsey Paul and Katelyn Beuscher.
The 2017 Planters Days celebration will be held in downtown Woodland June 15-18. A schedule of events will be announced closer to the event. For more information, visit www.planters-days.com.
Here’s a look at the 2017 Planters Days princesses:
Katelyn Beuscher
The 16-year-old Beuscher is a junior at Woodland High School. She is the daughter of Lesa and Richard Beuscher.
Beuscher lists her hobbies as shooting, golfing, performing community service, listening to music, watching movies and spending time with family and friends. Her talents include playing the trumpet, shooting trap/sporting clays and golfing.
Beuscher has participated on the Woodland High School trap shooting team, the pep band, Interact, FFA and National Honor Society.
In the community, Beuscher has participated in or volunteered by bell ringing for the Salvation Army, the Gold Leaf event, Blooms to Brews, Tulip Trot, Make A Difference Day, Rotary Golf Tournament, Interact (shopping/wrapping, delivering Christmas gifts and fundraisers for the Scott Hill Park and Sports Complex.
“To me, Woodland means coming together and helping others in our community,’’ Beuscher wrote in her bio. “I have experienced the impact volunteering can make in the projects I have participated in and see in our town. I have been taught that when someone is in need, you help them and have grown up in a family where community service is a large part of our everyday lives. By helping others it becomes a part of who you are and betters our community.’’
Ashley Estep
The 16-year-old Estep is a junior at Woodland High School. She is also enrolled in Running Start at Clark College. Her interests include doing makeup, reading and going on adventures where she “can go to new places and meet new people.’’
Estep said she has been singing since she was 3 years old, competing in several singing competitions over the years and she takes vocal lessons once a week. Estep also participates in the Woodland High School jazz choir and has been part of the choir for the past three years.
She also enjoys spending time with her family, which includes three younger sisters.
In addition to singing, Estep’s talents include competitive cheer and acting. She performed in Annie Warbucks and Annie Get Your Gun with the Journey Theater Arts Group. Estep is in her fourth season of cheer. She was named Woodland’s Student of the Month during her sophomore year.
Estep has served the Woodland community by participating in Girl Scouts (through the 8th grade), volunteering at the local food bank, planting flowers at the primary school, singing at nursing homes and working in the Lewis River Little League concession stand. She also participated in an outing recently with a group that traveled to Portland to give out gloves, scarves, socks and baked goods to those in need.
“Living in a small community means having a type of family aspect,’’ Estep wrote in her bio. “Everyone knows everyone within Woodland and this means when an accident occurs the town comes together to help as much as they can. Bigger towns do not have the type of feeling.’’
Estep is the daughter of Rhonda & Brent Estep.
Lindsey Paul
The 17-year-old Paul is the daughter of Jason and Dr. Sara Paul. She is a student at Woodland High School where she has been a member of the Principal’s Honor Roll.
Paul lists horseback riding as one of her talents. She has been a member of the Woodland High School equestrian team for three years where she has earned a state championship. She was also a 2016 bronze medalist at the Pacific Northwest Invitational Championship, a two-time 4-H Club president and three-time 4-H state champion. Paul also served as the 2011 Little Miss Rodeo Washington and the 2013 Junior Miss Rodeo First Runner Up.
Paul serves as a youth ministry team leader and also volunteers at Church Cafe. Through her church, she has also helped to feed needy families and provided Christmas gifts as well. Paul has also participated in canned food drives, served food at soup kitchen, volunteered at Calvary Community Church nursery and preschool and participated in Make A Difference Day.
“The Woodland community means so much to me and inspires so many others,’’ Paul wrote in her bio. “My homes is one of a kind little town because of its hospitality and ways of encouraging people to reach out and help all their neighbors.’’
