50 Years Ago: Three Siloam beauties vie for Junior Miss title
50 Years Ago From the Herald and Democrat in 1967
Siloam Springs had three representatives in the 1967 Northwest District Junior Miss Contest held at Ramsey Junior High School in Fort Smith. They were Mary Ann Huskins, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J.D. Huskins; Stephania Ford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Ford; and Mary Barnett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Barnett.
The Junior Miss Contestants, who were outstanding high school seniors, were judged on poise, personality, talent, leadership achievement. For talent, Mary Ann Huskins played the ukulele and sang a comedy song; Stephania Ford modeled clothing she had made; and Mary Barnett gave a patriotic reading entitled, “I Am the Nation,” accompanied by Evelyn Davis on the organ and Jim Young on the trumpet.
Patricia Gideon of Fayetteville was chosen Northwest District Junior Miss. Mary Ann Huskins was runner-up for Miss Personality and Mary Barnett was chosen as Arkansas Junior Miss of Siloam Springs.
30 Years Ago From the Herald-Democrat in 1987
Three Siloam Springs athletes were among the 120 competitors in the third annual Walton Life Fitness Center Triathlon held in Bentonville.
Joe Woolbright finished the 300 meter swim, 5K run and 10-mile bike in 54:06, good for 4th in the men’s 40-44 age group. Ken Rhodes took 3rd in the men’s 45-49 age division, finishing with a 59:23. Steve Wiles did the course in 56:49.
The overall winner was 44-year-old Joe Whillock of Clinton in a time of 47:14. The female winner was Greta Bielky of West Bend, Wis.
10 Years Ago From the Herald-Leader in 2007
Roger Jackson did everything but sell popcorn in the stands as the Siloam Springs senior wide receiver turned in a Heisman-worthy performance in the 5A West Conference opener at Vilonia.
Jackson scored two firsthalf touchdowns, returned a punt 35 yards, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter to lead the No. 13 Panthers past No. 9 Vilonia, 41-21, thus spoiling the Eagles’ homecoming.
“Roger (Jackson) is amazing to watch,” Siloam Springs quarterback Nathan Nall said. “I have all the confidence in the world to know that when I throw it up he’s going to make the catch.”
The Panthers struck early and often, capitalizing on six Eagles turnovers with 24 points.
For the fourth consecutive year under coach Clint Ashcraft, the Panthers rose to the occasion and knocked off Vilonia. A year prior the Panthers held on late in the game to fight past the Eagles, 10-7.
Ashcraft, knowing the adversity his team faced after a disheartening loss to Springdale a week prior, said he was proud of the way his players battled, especially following a lengthy road trip.