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BHS Coronation: When it first began

Wed, 02/03/2021 - 5:00 am

Historically, the actual coronation program was handled by the yearbook staff and faculty advisers for many years. Among those who handled the coronation preparations under that system included Beatrice Moore, Helen Thomas, Marcia Harrison, Cindy Robbins and Krista Wilcox. After that, there was a group of mothers, from past coronations, who volunteered to handle the coronation preparations, which lasted about five years. After that period, the coronation reverted back to the BHS Yearbook staff and faculty advisers at BHS. This year, Krista Wilcox, from the Breckenridge Junior High School staff, returns to help with preparations along with Leah Robertson of the BHS faculty.

According to research, in 1923, Adriel Robinson was the first honored as, “Most Beautiful” and the 1924 winner was recognized as “Beauty.”

The first actual BHS Coronation occurred in 1925, with Ruth Stout, crowned as the Buckaroo Queen. She reportedly wore a floor-length, powder blue dress and carried white carnations. As the BHS Coronation progressed, the Buckaroo Queen wore a white dress and carried white roses.

Over the years, dress lengths, styles and colors have varied from era to era.

In the mid-1940s, feathers were flown in specifically for some of the dresses for the BHS Coronation. More recently, Coronation dresses worn by the girls in the Queen’s Court were specified as formals, with specific colors and dress styles which also had to be approved by the faculty advisers.

During the Depression Era, the BHS Coronation was curtailed in 1932, 1933 and 1934.

The 1943 BHS Coronation was touted as the “most elaborate coronation year.” Frances Wright was the Buckaroo Queen that year and the Great Lord Chamberlain was a James Dixon.

One BHS Coronation, the 1946-47 year, was held in December, with a “Christmas Carols” theme and the stage was decorated in a winter snow scene.

Special celebrations were held for the 25th anniversary of the BHS Coronation (1950), the 50th anniversary (1975) and the 75th anniversary (2000). Many of the past Buckaroo Queens were present during those special celebrations and were introduced and recognized on the stage.

The 1978 and 1979 BHS Coronations were held in Cook Gymnasium because the old auditorium was being torn down to make room for the current Bailey Auditorium, where the BHS Coronations have been held since 1980.

There have been two sets of twins, one set was in 1928, Elma and Thelma Middleton, who came back to visit for the 25th and 50th-anniversary celebrations. The other set of twins was crowned in 1987, Sabrina (Eubanks) Knight and Salina (Eubanks) Brown and the Great Lord Chamberlains were Chris Hart and Patrick Willingham.

The only set of sisters, except the twins, were crowned as Buckaroo Queen included Tyshawna Wylie (1990) and Brandy Wylie (1993).

The traditional ‘rite of passage’ continues to keep the Buckaroo spirit alive and well.