2011 MISS LOVELAND VALENTINE

On Thursday, Nov. 4, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, along with its panel of five judges, selected Jamie Felton, a Loveland High School (LHS) senior, as the 2011 Miss Loveland Valentine. Felton is the 50th Miss Loveland Valentine.

Felton was one of nine Loveland-area high school female students up for the prestigious title. Felton earned the win through a powerful essay, engaging interview and heartfelt “Loveland My Community” speech to attendees of Thursday’s luncheon hosted by Thompson Valley Rotary. 2010 Miss Loveland Valentine Hillary Skeffington and 18-year Miss Valentine chaperone Norma Jean Goodheart were on hand to present Felton with her official sash and a bouquet of flowers courtesy of Rowe’s Flowers in Loveland.

“It feels amazing – I feel like a kid in a candy store who has lots of money to spend,” said Felton after her win. “I was shocked to have won. It is an amazing feeling, especially when I know that all of the other candidates are great individuals and highly deserving as well. I feel very honored to have been chosen.”

As a high school senior, Felton is also working towards her Certified Nursing Assistant license through Front Range Community College. She will graduate from Loveland High School and receive this certificate upon graduation in Spring 2011. Felton likes to volunteer for family friends and the American Red Cross Association in her spare time and is currently involved in LHS’ school television news program where she organizes news stories and events around school to read over the school intercom system and present during the Friday television shows. She is also a member of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), has made honor roll every year at LHS and is one of three nominees from LHS for the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Miss Valentine is Loveland’s spokesperson, as she makes many presentations throughout the community including television, newspaper and radio interviews. Over the years, the title of Miss Loveland Valentine has been held with honor and pride as this young woman spends the next year representing our community. As the selected candidate, Felton will receive scholarship funds toward her college education awarded from Ted and Mabel Thompson’s Trust.

For 49 years Miss Valentine has met the governor presenting him with a special gift from Loveland and an Official Loveland Valentine card. She has made a formal presentation to the Senate for the past 48 years. On occasion, she has also met with the Lieutenant Governor and the treasurer. Today, she is introduced, and the representative for District 51 talks about the Loveland Valentine program. Felton will be accompanied to all of her engagements by the official Miss Valentine chaperones, Norma Jean and Chet Goodheart.

Additional details about Miss Valentine’s upcoming engagements and the 2011 Valentine Re-mailing Program can be found at http://www.loveland.org/ValentineProgram.

A special thank you to the 2010-2011 Valentine Program sponsor McKee Medical Center, Thompson Valley Rotary for hosting the luncheon and providing each candidate with a special mini Loveland heart, Rowe’s Flowers for donating the boutonnieres’, corsages’ and bouquets for the event and judges Christine Kapperman, managing editor with the Loveland Reporter-Herald and Chair-Elect for the Loveland Chamber of Commerce board of directors; Hugh McKean, Loveland City Council, Dawn Paepke, events coordinator with McKee Medical Center; Chris Kelly with KISS FM and ClearChannel Radio and Leah Johnson, communications manager for the Bohemian Foundation and Loveland arts advocate.

Jamie Felton's thoughts on winning and what she is most excited about with her new role.

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To view more photos of the Miss Valentine Luncheon that took place on Nov. 4, 2010, please visit our album on the Loveland Chamber Facebook page.