Katelyn Caldon, Sanford High School, was crowned the Spud Bowl Queen at the Adams State University football game on October 8.
The Spud Bowl tradition began in 1946, when the potato farmers in the Valley were asked to contribute sacks of spuds to the college, which, in turn, were converted into cash to supplement the athletic program. The tradition and spirit have continued, and Spud Bowl remains a highlight of each football season.
Each year, San Luis Valley schools are asked to nominate a senior as a candidate for Spud Bowl Queen. The candidates are interviewed during the morning of Spud Bowl by a panel of judges, and a winner is then selected and announced at halftime of the football game. The Colorado Potato Administrative Committee and Adams State offer one semester tuition scholarships to each candidate, with the student selected as Spud Bowl Queen receiving a one year tuition, room, and board scholarship to Adams State University.
The 2016 Adams State Spud Bowl candidates included, left to right, seated, Christina Chavez, Moffat High School; Aaliyah Porres, Center High School; Rebekah Jarvies, Centauri High School; Annarose Phelps, Del Norte High School; Esperanza Poole, Antonito High School; and Brandi Myers, Alamosa High School; standing, left to right, Alyssa Gauntt, Creede High School; Tyesha Keever, Monte Vista High School; Antoinette Archuleta, Sierra Grande High School; Syree Gunnels, Sargent High School; Katelyn Caldon, Sanford High School; Elaiza Gallegos, Centennial High School; and Kiara Villalobos, Sangre de Cristo High School. Not pictured, Stephanie Gollihugh, Mountain Valley High School.
Judges for this year’s contest were Roger Mix and Savannah Schlaufman, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, and Maria Valdez, Adams State University accounting technician II.
