UNION — The crowded room held its breath as Master of Ceremonies Wayne Herron pulled out the card with the name of the next queen of the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show.

Grande Ronde Valley native Paisley Miller was crowned queen of the 116th annual Eastern Oregon Livestock Show on Tuesday, June 6. Miller, 16, is going into her junior year at Union High School. She is a three-sport varsity athlete and has been involved with the stock shown from a young age.

“I’m over the moon,” she said. “EOLS has always had a special place in my heart.”

The Miller family has a deep connection with the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show.

Miller’s great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather both served as EOLS president — from 1925-28 and 1964-71, respectively. Her grandfather, Ed, followed in their footsteps and was involved with the stock show in different capacities, including serving as vice president, rodeo chairman and arena director. He was active in the rodeo for more than 35 years, and the Ed Miller Xtreme Bullriding event is named in his honor.

Currently her aunt — Cassie Miller-Petersen — is serving as the first female president of the long-running event, and her father, Odin, is on the board of directors.

In addition, Miller’s grandmother Cathay Schroeder and mother, Shandy Miller, were both a part of the livestock show’s royalty court.

“It feels nice to carry on the family tradition,” Miller said.

Jadeyn Perin, who turned 17 years old the day after she was crowned princess of EOLS, is going into her junior year at Joseph Charter School. She is feeling great about the summer ahead and her time as princess.

“I’m looking forward to making new memories,” she said.

Miller and Perin each put in a lot of work to get to this point. They were judged on their speech, horsemanship and ticket sales.

“I truly admire these girls,” Herron said. “They are outstanding young ladies.”

Rodeo royalty is an essential part to the continued success of stock shows, he said, especially in the northwest corner of the United States. Ticket sales are especially important when it is as likely to rain as it is to shine on rodeo days since those tickets are nonrefundable, Herron joked.

“It’s too bad that there has to be only one to wear the crown,” he said. “They will draw on these experiences for a lifetime.”

Miller describes what comes next as “the fun part.” The queen and princess will represent the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show at rodeos and parades nearly every weekend this summer.

“Paisley and Jadeyn have worked extremely hard,” 2022 Queen Emily Arnoldus said. “They’ll represent EOLS wherever they go.”

“It’s too bad that there has to be only one to wear the crown. They will draw on these experiences for a lifetime.”

— Wayne Herron, of the 2023 EOLS court, Paisley Miller and Jadeyn Perin