Fossek to reign as 2024 Round-Up queen
By Terry Murry on Saturday, November 25th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
ADAMS – The 2024 Pendleton Round-Up queen and princesses are meeting the media this morning (Saturday) at the traditional breakfast hosted by the Corey family at the home of Doug Corey.
The queen is Kayla Fossek of Pendleton. Princesses are Olivia Corbett of Pendleton, Charli King of Athena, Kinley McAnally of Pendleton, and Jenna Moore of Kahlotus, Washington.
Court Director Jason Graybeal is eager to get to work with the royalty as they work to promote the rodeo.
“We are excited to announce this wonderful group of young women who have shown a great dedication to the Pendleton Round-Up and its traditions,” he said. “Abby (his wife, former Round-Up royalty, and now chaperone) and I are looking forward to a great year traveling with them as we share and promote the greatest rodeo on earth.”
In addition to Doug Corey, the hosts for the breakfast are Steve and Susan Corey; Michael and Jenny Corey, Ellie and Easton; Tyson and Megan Furstenberg, Reese and Reid; Kipp and Cydney Curtis, Collins, Nolin, and Caroline; Bobby and Addie Corey, Hales and Boone.
Biographical information on the queen and princesses provided by Jason Graybeal:
Queen Kayla Fossek of Pendleton is the 23-year-old daughter of Bob and Jennifer Fossek of Pendleton. Kayla graduated from Pendleton High School in 2019. During high school, Kayla was active in volleyball, yearbook, a National Honor Society recipient, and FFA where she eventually was selected as a Chapter Sentinel and Chapter Vice President. She is currently finishing her associate degree at BMCC. Kayla has a very distinguished resume surrounding the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon, beginning with volunteerism, participation in the American Indian Beauty Pageant, and serving as a princess for the Happy Canyon in 2019. Kayla then moved on to serving two years as a princess for the Round-Up in the lengthened 2020-2021 years. Kayla’s family has a long tradition of competing and volunteering for the Happy Canyon and Round-Up, with Kayla being the first to serve as a princess for the Round-Up. With Kayla’s selection as Queen of the 2024 Pendleton Round-Up, she will be the first Native American to hold all three titles.
Kayla is looking forward to representing the Pendleton Round-Up as Queen and use that position to empower others, young and old, from all nationalities to never settle for their current circumstances and continue to aim high and push the bar.
Princess Olivia Corbett of Pendleton is the 19-year-old daughter of Robb and Liz Corbett. Olivia graduated from Pendleton High School in 2022. She was an active athlete playing four years of varsity tennis and three years of varsity basketball while also being active in OHSET, on the National Honor Society and spending 2022-2023 representing the Milton-Freewater Pioneer Posse. She earned many awards as she pursued her dreams such as the Tennis Academic All State award, NWC 5A District Tennis Champion, the Basketball Academic All State award, and her FFA Chapter Degree. Olivia continued her love of athletics into her college career where she is on the Whitworth Women’s Tennis Team for Whitworth University. She is studying Business Management. Olivia’s love of the Pendleton Round-up began as a girl while she carried a flag in parades for 9 years. Since those days carrying a flag, she has participated in multiple rodeo events, 4-H and the Oregon High School Equestrian Team (OHSET).
Olivia is excited to be part of the 2024 Pendleton Round-Up Court to represent her community, the western way of life and the Pendleton Round-Up.
Princess Charli King of Athena is the 19-year-old daughter of Brandon and Katy King. Charli graduated from Weston McEwen High School in 2022. Through high school, Charli was active in FFA, 4-H and served on the Associated Student Body as treasurer. She played volleyball, basketball and track where she was a varsity athlete competing at state 3 years in pole vault and the 4×400 relay. Her riding experience began at a young age and has taken her from the branding pens to the rodeo arena and everywhere in between. She also competed in the Milton-Freewater Pioneer Posse, the Cayuse Junior Rodeo and Mustangers. Charli has actively participated as a pennant bearer for the Pendleton Round-up for the past 6 years. She is currently a student at the University of Idaho where she is studying Pre-Veterinarian Sciences. In her free time at school, Charli is a member of the Kappa Delta sorority and participates in many philanthropic events and activities.
Charli is excited to represent the Pendleton Round-Up, and share her love for the organization and the western way of life with the rest of the world.
Princess Kinley McAnally of Pendleton is the 19-year-old daughter of Andy and Kellye McAnally and Robert and Maya Bates. Kinley graduated from Pendleton High School in 2022, where she was active in FFA, National Honors Society and Leadership. She earned her FFA Greenhand, Chapter, State and American degrees and was the President of the Pendleton FFA Chapter her Junior and Senior year. During her time in FFA she showed swine and was an active participant in all aspects of competition. Kinley has a long history of volunteerism both within her school community and within the Pendleton community. She has been a pennant bearer for Round-Up for six years, has worked in the souvenir booths and assisted at the Children’s Rodeo. She is a key volunteer for Pendleton Cattle Barons as well serving the western community in as many ways as possible. Kinley is currently a student at Eastern Oregon University where she is on the Dean’s List while studying Agriculture Entrepreneurship. Kinley’s horse journey began at age 9 where she began showing in 4-H. She eventually realized her love for riding in the mountains and has since spent many hours horseback riding for cows.
Kinley is excited to be part of the 2024 Pendleton Round-Up Court to continue the legacy and spread the love of the western way of life rooted in respect, courage and pride in the work that is done.
Princess Jenna Moore of Kahlotus, WA is the 19-year-old daughter of Scott Moore and Kim Kelty-Moore. Jenna graduated from Connell High School in 2022. She was active in FFA earning her Greenhand, Chapter, State and American Degree while also showing pigs and steers with participation in many other events. She played varsity basketball for Connell and was on the National Honor Society. Jenna also competed in the Milton-Freewater Pioneer Posse, the Cayuse Junior Rodeo and many other barrel races. These events led her into the desire to represent that great sport of rodeo. Currently, Jenna is a student at Eastern Washington University where she is studying Dental Hygiene and is recognized on The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Her love for the Pendleton Round-Up grew through the admiration of her family who participated in early years of the rodeo, her great uncle, Bert Kelly, winning the first Saddle Bronc championship and her Grandfather, Dick Kelly, who handled the live broadcast of the rodeo for over 30 years. Her mother, Kim, was a 1996 Princess of the Pendleton Round-up spurring Jenna’s desire to one day wear the traditional leathers of the court. Jenna has carried flags for the parades as well as pushed livestock during slack.
Jenna is looking forward to sharing her love and knowledge of the Pendleton Round-Up.
