| Stevens
is Border Days Queen
By Lorie Palmer Idaho County Free Press “We have been incredibly blessed by the support from our community,” said Rachael Stevens of Grangeville. Stevens is the 2017 Border Days Rodeo Queen. Stevens, 16, has been homeschooled and will be attending Grangeville High School as a junior this fall. She is the daughter of Fred and Renée Stevens of Grangeville. Stevens has four siblings: Sarah Musick, 30; Warren Stevens, 22; Michael Stevens, 19; Clarissa Stevens, 14. Her grandparents are Dick and Dee Lasse of Grangeville. “I have had some incredible experiences this year, and one of my favorites was my experience at Lewiston Roundup last year,” Stevens said. “I was able to go to a royalty luncheon where I met Miss Rodeo America and had a very fun time during the nights at the rodeo and at the parade and luncheon. Of course, Border Days is my favorite rodeo, so I can’t wait for all the good times coming!” Stevens rides her grey 7-year-old Arabian gelding, Bené (pronounced “Benny”). She will also be riding Misty, a bay, 19-year-old quarter horse mare. In her spare time, she said she enjoys rodeo and 4-H, gluten-and dairy-free baking, playing piano, spending time with her friends and family, riding her horse and being outdoors with her animals. Stevens is vice-president and takes the dog and swine projects in the Lively Livestock 4-H Club, and is secretary and takes the horse project in the Rebel Riders 4-H Club. “This summer I will be attending the ICUA youth rally for a week in July. I attend Real Life Church and am involved in youth group, baby sitting and volunteering,” Stevens said. “If anyone in the community would like me and Micaela to help them with an event, please let us know, we would love to help!” Stevens formerly served as the Grangeville Triple Bar Drill Team Queen. “Royalty has been so much fun and is a great way to give back to your community, become more confident, and learn important skills that you will use for the rest of your life,” Stevens emphasized. “I really encourage girls to try out for a royalty position; it is a wonderful experience and I can truly say that it has helped me to be the person that I am today!” Following high school, Stevens plans to go to college for a degree in agriculture. “I am also planning to potentially try out for Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho or Lewiston Roundup Rodeo Royalty with the goal of becoming Miss Rodeo Idaho,” she said. This spring, Stevens added to her family’s repertoire of animals by getting a black lab puppy named Cheyenne. Stevens said she would like to thank royalty chaperone, Anna Wren, for “her hard work and dedication to make this program the best that it can be.” “I would also like to thank Princess Micaela Farris for all of the time she has spent representing with me and preparing for our year,” Stevens added. “Thank you to my family, friends, sponsors, and to the entire community for their support and encouragement!” This year’s royalty is sponsored by the following: Grangeville Border Days Rodeo Committee, Asker's Harvest Foods, Up Front Construction, Les Schwab Tires, Irwin Drug, NAPA, Idaho Forest Group, La Vita Bella, Images, Pine Tree Community Credit Union, Seasons, The Print Shop, Oscar’s, K & R Video, Cash and Carry Marketplace, Baker Trucking, Final Touch Salon, Northwest Insurance Agency, Farmers Insurance, Shear Magic, North 40, CHS Primeland, Ray Holes, Grangeville Flower and Gift, Home Grown Quilts, Cross Country Saddlery, and Ellen Aiken. 
Rachael Stevens is the Border Days Queen 2017. She will be a junior at Grangeville High School this fall. Photo: Free Press / Lorie Palmer. Farris is Princess By Lorie Palmer Idaho County Free Press “I have enjoyed this experience because it has allowed me to travel and make new memories,” said 16-year-old Micaela Farris. Farris is the 2017 Grangeville Border Days Rodeo Princess. She is the daughter of Jeff and Amy Farris and granddaughter of Ray and Ellen Aiken, all of Grangeville. She has an identical twin sister, Macenzie. Farris has spent her year representing Border Days at a variety of events, parades and rodeos, including as a High School Rodeo participant, where she also represents Grangeville High School. She will be a junior at GHS this fall. Farris rides and competes on her 16-year-old quarter horse, Doc. She plays volleyball, basketball and softball, and is a member of both Rough Riders and Animal House 4-H clubs. She is also a member of Triple Bar Drill Team and previously served as its queen. “Being involved in royalty is a great new experience and you get to meet new people and share your love of rodeo with others,” Farris said. Following graduation, she would like to attend Washington State University and pursue a career in physical therapy. She also hopes to play college softball. “I have a passion for softball,” she smiled. 
Micaela Farris is the 2017 Border Days Princess. Photo: Free Press / Lorie Palmer. 
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