Hope Rheingans, Sargent, is the 2008 Spud Bowl Queen.



Spud Bowl candidates included: Bryttani Martinez, Del Norte High School; Mari Donae Lopez, Moffat High School; Olivia DeHerrera, Antonito High School; Lindsay Martinez, Center High School; Monique Valdez, Monte Vista High School; Benita Jo Mondragon, Alamosa High School; Kirstie Dzuris, Sangre de Cristo High School; Briana Anastasia Roybal, Sierra Grande High School; Hope Rheingans, Sargent High School; Whitney Ann Canty, Sanford High School; Kayla Christine Sanchez, Centennial High School; and Nikela Sandoval, Centauri High School.



ALAMOSA — Hope Rheingans, Sargent High School, was crowned the Spud Bowl Queen at Saturday’s Adams State College football game.

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 Admini-strative Committee and the Adams State College Foundation offers 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 College.

The candidates included: Benita Jo Mondragon, Alamosa High School; Olivia DeHerrera, Antonito High School; Nikela Sandoval, Centauri High School; Kayla Christine Sanchez, Centennial High School; Lindsay Martinez, Center High School; Bryttani Martinez, Del Norte High School; Mari Donae Lopez, Moffat High School; Monique Valdez, Monte Vista High School; Whitney Ann Canty, Sanford High School; Kirstie Dzuris, Sangre de Cristo High School; Hope Rheingans, Sargent High School; and Briana Anastasia Roybal, Sierra Grande High School.

Judges for this year’s contest were Danny Neufeld and Brett Deacon, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, and James Trujillo, executive assistant to the President/Board of Trustees of Adams State College.