Chaperones 

Lela (Baley) Marshall is a 4th generation farmer’s daughter born in the Klamath Basin. Ela graduated from Lost River High School in 2010. In 2015, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University, and in 2018, she received a master’s degree from Colorado State University. She works for American AgCredit, supporting agriculture and rural communities with financial services. In 2017, she married Dane Marshall of Lakeview, Oregon. Together, they have two children, Emerson and Rory. Lela enjoys spending time with her family, photographing special memories and events for clients, traveling, and being involved in the community.

Amanda Kirby is a 4th generation resident of Tulelake, where numerous family members have been a part of the agriculture community. Amanda graduated from Tulelake High School in 2006. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno,  and in 2011, she graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing after spending five years in Medford as a NICU nurse. She graduated in 2022 with a Doctorate of Nursing in Pediatric Primary Care. Amanda has a long family history with Potato Festival; she was a candidate in 2005; her grandmother, Barbara (Salyers) McAuliffe, was a candidate in 1951; her mother, Kathy (McAuliffe) Kirby, was crowned queen in 1975, and most recently her cousin, Hannah McAuliffe, received runner up in 2017. Amanda loves to bake in her spare time, and cheesecake is her specialty! She also enjoys watching San Francisco Giants games with her family.

Jessica (Ireland) Sheppard is a 4th generation farmer’s daughter, born in the Klamath Basin and raised in Merrill. Jessica has numerous family members who are part of the agriculture community; she spends a lot of time farming hay and potatoes with her family. Jessica graduated from Lost River High School in 2009. She is married to Steven Sheppard of Chiloquin. Jessica is a stay-at-home mom to their three children, Karson, Pailynn, and Rylan. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, vacationing on the Oregon coast, watching her children’s sporting events, cooking, and participating in community involvement through Merrill PPA, the Ore-Cal Little League, and the Klamath County Pop Warner board. 

Sarah Kellom is a Crop and Livestock Insurance Agent at AgWest Farm Credit, providing risk mitigation solutions to farmers and ranchers throughout Central and Southern Oregon and Northern California. Although she travels the state for work, Sarah resides in Klamath Falls, Oregon, with her two dogs, Jack and Jim. Sarah’s background is filled with her passions:  agriculture and educating youth.  She obtained her B.S. in Agriculture Business Management with minor studies in Animal Science and Crop & Soil Science from Oregon State University through Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon.  While attending school in La Grande, Sarah enjoyed working at Intermountain Livestock along with many other fun jobs and even took time to learn how to play a bit of horse polo. After graduating, Sarah briefly returned home to Klamath Falls before starting her career with Northwest Farm Credit Services in 2013. Sarah trained as a financial specialist at the Eugene, Oregon, branch before moving to Nampa, Idaho, for two and a half years. After a short stint in Klamath Falls, Sarah took an excellent two-year opportunity to write home loans for Northwest Farm Credit Services and move to Pendleton, Oregon- Let’er Buck! When a job opening became available in Klamath Falls, Sarah wanted to move home to be closer to her lifetime friends and family. She is now the Crop & Livestock Insurance Agent for AgWest Farm Credit (formerly Northwest Farm Credit), serving the Klamath Falls Branch and the Central Point, Roseburg, Redmond & Dalles branch territories. When not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with her friends & family, going to the coast to ride on the dunes, or camping in our beautiful national forests. Since returning to Klamath in November 2019, Sarah has assisted as co-superintendent for the 4-H Horse program and has continued to lead Horse & Swine 4-H clubs. Sarah believes in educating and supporting today’s youth to build a stronger tomorrow. Sarah loves to help plan events and coordinate gatherings where friends and family can catch up. Sarah also serves her community as an ex-officio member of the Klamath County Fair Board, Queen Court Secretary for the Klamath Basin Potato Festival, Vendor Chairwoman for the Klamath Cattlemen’s Bull Sale as well as Treasurer for the Oregon CattleWomen. The current passion that has Sarah’s heart is a food box program that provides boxes of food for school-age children within Klamath County who may experience food insecurities during the winter break. This started as a community outreach program through Northwest Farm Credit Services and has now grown to include high school students through a privately supported program. Sarah loves working for a company committed to improving the lives of our customers and employees and the communities where we live and raise our families.