Happy Canyon announces 2025 princesses
By Terry Murry on Friday, December 6th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – (News release from Happy Canyon) The Happy Canyon Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the appointment of Avery Quaempts and Korie Spencer as the 2025 Happy Canyon Princesses. These two exceptional women will serve as the official ambassadors for the Happy Canyon Night Show, Oregon’s premier outdoor night pageant, held every evening during the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up.
A formal introduction of Princess Avery and Princess Korie will take place at the annual Princess Brunch on Sunday, December 15, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pendleton Convention Center. The event is open to the public and all are invited to celebrate the new princesses.
“We’re excited to welcome Avery and Korie as the 2025 Happy Canyon Princesses,” said Happy Canyon President Kipp Curtis. “They both have strong ties to Happy Canyon, and we are proud to have them as our representatives for this historic tradition.”
Princess Avery Quaempts
Princess Avery, whose Indian name is Hánnit wa tumult (Cayuse, meaning “Generous Heart”), is a 17-year-old enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). A junior at Pendleton High School, she is the daughter of Justin Quaempts and Carrie Sampson, and the sister of Fallyn and Hayden Plume, and Symone Samuels. Her paternal grandparents are Bill Quaempts and Stevie Minthorn-Quaempts, while her maternal grandparents are Atwaí (the late) Curtis and Trisha Sampson. Her great-grandfather is Atwaí Chief Carl Sampson of the Walla Walla tribe, her great-grandmother is Atwaí Carrie Sampson, a 1932 Pendleton Round-Up Princess, and Uncle Donald Sampson is a hereditary chief of the Walúulapam (‘Walla Walla people’). Princess Avery is also a direct descendant of Walla Walla Chief Peo-Peo-Mox-Mox “Yellow Bird,” a signer of the Treaty of 1855, and of Chief Yellowhawk and Anna Minthorn Wannassay, who co-authored the original Happy Canyon script with Roy Raley in 1917, a script still used today.
Princess Avery’s family history includes many relatives who have served as Happy Canyon royalty, such as Patty Crane (1965), Sis Moses (1968), Eloise Baptiste (1969), Cathy Sampson (1970), Tito Moses (1971), Michelle Spencer (1987), Anna Minthorn (1992), Jamie and RaeAnn Crane (1995), Sydelle Harrison (2001), Talia Minthorn (2003), Shanna Treloar (2009), and Jory Spencer (2014). Her auntie, Iona Quaempts, was the first winner of the Junior American Indian Beauty Pageant in 1962, and Princess Avery herself won the Junior American Indian Beauty Pageant in 2021. Both her grandfather, Curtis Sampson, and great-grandfather, Chief Carl Sampson, had long-standing roles in the Happy Canyon show, and many other family members have participated throughout the years.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Princess Avery is a dedicated softball player, competing with Pendleton High School and the Northwest Bullets, a nationally recognized travel team. She is passionate about outdoor activities, including horseback riding, fishing, hunting, and boating, and enjoys spending time with her family at their property in Joseph, Ore.
Princess Avery plans to pursue a nursing career with a focus on pediatric care and looks forward to continuing her education and playing softball at the collegiate level.
“My roots are here in the Umatilla Reservation,” Princess Avery said. “I plan to return home after finishing my education to give back to my community.”
Princess Korie Spencer
Princess Korie is a 23-year-old enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and a graduate of Pendleton High School and Treasure Valley Community College. She is the daughter of Atwaí (the late) Brandon Spencer and Rochelle and Trevor Helfrecht, and the sister of Aubry Booth-Spencer, Katlyn Spencer, Chaynne Spencer, Janie Helfrecht, Jillian Helfrecht, and Tiydan Moore. Her paternal grandparents are Ruth (Nilchee) Spencer and Atwaí Chester “Sparky” Spencer. Her great-grandfather was Atwaí John Lester Spencer and her great-grandmother was Matilda Sampson-Spencer, who won the American Indian Beauty Pageant in 1933. Princess Korie is a direct descendant of Tah pa Shah Spencer, also known as “Sharp Shooter,” who was Yakama Chief of the Klickitats. Her maternal lineage is from the Chief Big Bow family of the Kiowa Tribe in Oklahoma, with her grandfather Garrell Moore and grandmother Kevin (Tartsah) Moore.
Princess Korie’s family has deep ties to Happy Canyon, with her relatives Michelle Spencer (1987) and Jory Spencer (2014) both having served as Happy Canyon royalty. Recently, Korie has participated in the Happy Canyon Show, riding in both the traveling and mourning scenes and carrying a travois. The horse she will ride is generously provided by Kayla Fossek (Happy Canyon Princess in 2019, Round-Up Princess in 2020-21, and Round-Up Queen in 2024).
A passionate advocate for the outdoors, Princess Korie enjoys horseback riding, hunting, and berry picking. She also plays recreational softball and even tried out rugby during her time at Pendleton High School. In recent years, Princess Korie has dedicated her time to volunteering with Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon, helping wherever needed.
Princess Korie is currently employed at Lil Turtle Retreat Daycare and plans to further her education in early childhood education at Oregon State University. She is committed to returning to Eastern Oregon to work with children and support families in her community.
“I’m excited about setting both simple and ambitious goals for myself in the coming years,” Princess Korie said. “I’m passionate about helping children and am excited to continue working towards a future where I can make a positive impact on my community.” The 2025 Happy Canyon Night Show will take place from September 10-13, 2025, and both Princess Avery and Princess Korie are looking forward to representing the tradition and history of Happy Canyon with pride.
