By PAULA BROWN/for The Herald — On Wednesday April 19th the 2023 Tree Planting Teens introduced themselves to the Circle Bar Golf Course Women’s group over breakfast as part of the tradition. However, as you may have heard, for a while it wasn’t clear if there was going to be a “court” this year. Eyebrows cocked as rumors circulated that the high school students rejected the idea of princesses and a court. What is this new thought?
A new format for judging
According to the Tree Planting Festival Facebook post, the new take results from a collaboration with the students. The big change is
that young men are included in the honor of representing the community. Erica McLaughlin has coordinated the Tree Planting Court for the past 10 years. She is now steering the concept in its debut season. She told the Circle Bar Women how judging the Tree Planting Teens has changed.
“They are judged based on their community event: what it is, how they plan it, and how it turns out. They are also judged on their speeches, but different from other aspects because an academic scale is used.”
The Teens will be judged throughout the festival season on Erica’s observations. They are; punctuality, attitude, attire, and attendance. And, they will also be judged on their poise and performance at the Teen Showcase on Friday, May 5th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Oakridge High School Auditorium.
“The way the winner will be chosen this year is better than the previous voting system. Previously, it was more based on popularity,” said golfer Margie Darby. “It’s about leadership.”
Each teen addressed the women golfers’ group
2022 Queen Sherry Terral emceed the teen panel of four young women and two young men. They
introduced themselves and shared their parents’ names. This was very helpful for the group of golfer women who include former teachers and librarians and other community members. These women watched the teens’ parents grow up. The teens gave short speeches on their interests, future plans, the importance of the Tree Planting Festival. The teens shared their vision for what they’d like to see more of in Oakridge/Westfir if budget were not an issue, which include:
- Movie Theater and more restaurants
- The Willamette Activity Center become a family fun center. It should include a permanent, robust homeless shelter with transition housing support; bring back more extracurricular activities for after school learning, fun, and growth
- Small businesses and more jobs
In the words of Delaney Freeman, this year is an exciting time to be on the Tree Planting Court because “It gives us an opportunity to give back to a community [through the requirement for a community service project] that has given us so much.”
Please visit the 2023 Tree Planting Facebook page for more information on the Teens and the many events scheduled this year.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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