Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
You haven't truly lived in a small town until you've run into a church basement in the middle of a queen's coronation, slightly out of breath and dressed in what was supposed to be a classic black cotton blouse. But we'll get to that.
Let's rewind a bit. Saturday was a day for the books. My little sister ended her reign as Queen of Tekoa, and on the same day, I got to witness the crowning of Alyx Scheller as the new Miss Odessa. It was a full-circle moment - one queen stepping down, another rising up, and me stuck somewhere in between, caught in a fashion fiasco.
Now, I consider myself relatively responsible. I pay my bills on time, floss occasionally, and try not to shrink my clothes. But on Saturday morning, I accidentally washed and dried my favorite cotton top. And I don't mean it came out a little snug. No, no. It shrunk so much, I think it could've fit Winnie - and I've seen roosters in Lincoln County that are bigger than Winnie. Truly. I was one step away from calling it a baby doll crop top and pretending I meant to wear it that way.
So, fashionably late (emphasis on fashionably), I arrived at the Heritage Church basement just in time to catch the end of Alyx's introduction to her speech. And let me tell you, any irritation over my shrunken shirt immediately faded when I heard her speak.
For a 17-year-old, Alyx carries herself with remarkable grace. She spoke with such pride for her hometown - a town her family has called home for seven generations. That's not just deep roots - that's practically a family tree with its own zip code.
As someone who's only called Lincoln County home for five months, I felt a little emotional - and not just because I was trying to hide my shrunken shirt disaster under a loose sweater. Watching the Odessa royalty program come back to life after several years of absence was genuinely moving. This was the first time in a long while that the town had revived the tradition, and seeing it return with such heart and purpose made the moment all the more special.
The Odessa coronation was more than crowns and sparkles - though, to be clear, there were sparkles. It was about tradition, about honoring the past while breathing fresh life into the future. Alyx's speech touched on her personal health journey, and though you could hear the nervousness in her voice, it was also filled with hope, compassion, and the kind of courage that makes you stop and think, Wow, she gets it.
She's involved in school activities and genuinely excited to represent her town. And not just excited - she's doing it while holding the same scepter her great-grandmother held back in the 1950s. Try not to cry. I dare you.
Listening to her speak reminded me of the "You Can Be Anything" Barbie I grew up with. That doll sat on my childhood shelf whispering dreams into my ear - dreams that one day led me to film school, writing, and now here - camera in hand, heart full, in a town where everyone waves at each other even when they don't know your name.
And let's be real: while I did enlist in the Army, you couldn't ask me to prepare a heartfelt speech and wave gracefully from a parade float in a tiara. That's next-level bravery. That's Queen-level. That's Alyx.
To the other girls looking ahead to their moment to shine in a stunning gown and tiara- whether it's for rodeo royalty, town queen, or something in between - I see you. I'll be the one in the front row, camera ready, making sure you all have your best angles captured. If you need extra sparkle, I've got glitter in my purse. (Don't ask why, just know it's there.)
My sister's year as Tekoa Queen was filled with parades, friends, gowns, late-night food runs in full hair and makeup, and memories she'll talk about forever. I have no doubt Alyx will look back at this year the same way. The crown may be shiny, but it's the journey that really glows.
Odessa, with your Deutschfest pride, your bratwurst-loving spirit, and your fierce young women like Alyx - you're in amazing hands.
Long live the Queen - and may all cotton garments be washed with care.
- Olivia Harnack is the editor at the Lincoln County Record-Times and is learning the ropes of rural life, one hay bale and farm dog at a time. You can reach her at 509-725-0101.
Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.
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