CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Happy Canyon Board of Directors has named Virginia Conner and Gabriella Lewis as the 2017 Happy Canyon Princesses.
The public is invited to meet them both at a reception at the Pendleton Convention Center, Saturday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.
“We are so excited to be represented by Virginia and Gabriella in 2017,” said Court Chaperone Kipp Curtis. “They provide the poise and confidence that’s so necessary to promote Happy Canyon as it begins its next 100 years.”
Conner, 20, is the daughter of Kevin Blueback of Warm Springs, and Kristen Conner of Pendleton. She graduated from Pendleton High School in 2015 and is a student at Blue Mountain Community College. At PHS, she was a four-year letter winner in swimming, active on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Youth Council, and a member of the Native American Board of Representatives, serving as Secretary from 2012-2014.
She is an enrolled member for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Conner represents the fourth generation of her family to participate in Happy Canyon and has had several relatives serve as Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon royalty. She’s held a number of roles in the night show, and has shared the role of the bride with her cousins since for several years.
Conner is also ready to appear in the numerous parades to promote Happy Canyon. She has been riding extensively in parades promoting Pendleton RoundUp and Happy Canyon since 2010.
In the future, Conner plans to transfer to a four-year college to pursue her bachelor’s degree in business management. She currently works at Dave’s Chevron while attending college in Pendleton.
Lewis is the daughter of Joe and Kathy Lewis of Spokane Valley, Wash. She is a 2016 graduate of University High School in Spokane and is currently a student at Walla Walla Community College studying graphic design.
She enjoys photography and beading. She is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe.
Lewis’ parts in Happy Canyon include Bread Maker and performing in the Wedding Party. She has several family members who participate in Happy Canyon. Her relatives have camped at the Pendleton Round-Up since its inception in 1910, and she has camped there each year since she was a baby.
Lewis, 18, has been riding a horse since she was 5. She has placed in several Junior American Indian Beauty Pageants, including first place in 2010 and was named Best Dressed Woman during Saturday’s Round-Up Arena dancing in 2015.
When she graduates from Walla Walla Community College, Lewis plans to attend the University of Oregon or Boise State University to obtain her bachelor’s degree in graphic design.
