Three video highlight clips from the 2009 Miss Rodeo America Pageant are now available on the ProRodeo.com RodeoUp service.
Casey Rose, Miss Rodeo Arizona - Horsemanship
Stacy Jo Johnson, Miss Rodeo Wyoming - Speech
Magegan Ridley, Miss Rodeo America 2009 - Coronation
Ridley served as Miss Rodeo California 2008, and during the next year, She will travel over 100,000 miles representing Miss Rodeo America, Inc. and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Miss Rodeo America 2008, Amy Wilson, of Colby, Kan., will fulfill her duties at the 50th anniversary of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Ridley will be introduced as the 2009 Miss Rodeo Americaat the 4th performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2008. She will begin making appearances at rodeo across the country in January.
“As Miss Rodeo AmericaI will show everyone why my heroes have always been cowboys,” Ridley said. “ What an honor it will be to prove the American cowboy is alive and well.”
Aside from her rodeo interests, Ridley is pursuing an Associate of Science Degree in Anatomy and Physiology with focus on Speech Language Pathology. Her further educational goals are to obtain a Master of Speech Language Pathology with concentration on rehabilitation. Ridley will be able to put to good use, the $10,000 educational scholarship she will receive at the completion of her reign.
Ridley was also awarded a wardrobe of Wrangler Jeans, Justin Boots, Bailey Hats , fully tooled Court’s Saddle with custom Miss Rodeo Americaconchos and an official Miss Rodeo Americatrophy buckle from Montana Silversmiths. Accompanying the perpetual Miss Rodeo Americatiara made by Landstrom’s Original Black Hills Gold Creations she was given a wardrobe of matching jewelry. These items, along with a multitude of other valuable and exquisite prizes will be presented to her throughout the year.
Contestants were judged in the major categories of horsemanship, personality, and appearance, competing in the areas of public speaking, personal interviews, modeling, photogenic and rodeo/equine knowledge. Contestants were eligible for $38,500 in scholarships at the 2009 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. In addition to the $10,000 Miss Rodeo America scholarship, Ridley was also awarded the Appearance category, including $1,500 scholarship and a Montana Silversmiths Buckle Purse.
Ridley is looking forward to seeing all aspects or rodeo while traveling across the country as Miss Rodeo America 2009. “Life doesn’t always stand tied at the hitching post, sometimes you have to get a lope after it,” Ridley said in reference to her hard work and preparation for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.
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Saturday, Dec. 6th - at the Orleans Showroom in Las Vegas, Miss Rodeo California, Megan Ridley, from Alta Loma, became the 54th Miss Rodeo America.
The Coronation Showroom was packed for the "Indiana Jones" themed performance, with emcees Tim Fuller and Bob Tallman. Miss Rodeo America 2008 Amy Wilson showed an awesome video presentation during her farewell address.
Here is a list of the award winners:
Top-Five Finalists:
First Runner-up - Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Stacy Jo Johnson
Second Runner-up - Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Tara Trask
Third Runner-up - Miss Rodeo Colorado, Megan Grieve
Fourth Runner-up - Miss Rodeo Utah, Renae Cowley
Top-10 Finalists:
Miss Rodeo Colorado, Megan Grieve
Miss Rodeo Texas, Avery Gonzales
Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Kristin Killion
Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Kristen Schott
Miss Rodeo Utah, Renae Cowley
Miss Rodeo Minnesota, Dayna Iverson
Miss Rodeo Oregon, Nicole Andrews
Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Tara Trask
Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Stacy Jo Johnson
Miss Rodeo California, Megan Ridley
The Top-Five contestants each had to answer this question: "During your interviews you have been questioned about the history of professional rodeo and this pageant. What specifically do you think Miss Rodeo America should do to increase the role and influence as an ambassador as we embrk into the next 50 years?" Photogenics Award - Miss Rodeo Hawaii, Shelby Rivera Speech Award - Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Stacy Jo Johnson Congeniality Award - Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Stacy Jo Johnson Raeana Wadhams Spirit Award - Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Tara Trask Written Test Award - Miss Rodeo Nevada, Anna Bavor CATEGORY WINNERS Appearance Category - Miss Rodeo California, Megan Ridley Personality Category - Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Stacy Jo Johnson Horsemanship Category - Miss Rodeo Arizona, Casey Jo Rose REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Eastern Region - Miss Rodeo Illinois, Carly Ray Hagey Central Region - Miss Rodeo Texas, Avery Gonzales Western Region - Miss Rodeo Oregon, Nicole Andrews Four "Random" Scholarships also went to: Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Kristin Killion Miss Rodeo Kansas, Jenna Nelson Miss Rodeo Iowa, Aleigh Beahm Miss Rodeo Wisconsin, Leah Wedl People's Choice - Avery Gonzales, Miss Rodeo Texas Sales Achievement - Anna Bavor, Miss Rodeo Nevada (Sales of Scholarship Foundation Raffle Tickets) Scrapbook Awards - Janelle Schlobohm, Miss Rodeo Missouri (1st), Tara Trsk, Miss Rodeo South Dakota, (2nd), Dilynn Dodd, Miss Rodeo Arkansas (3rd), Nichole Andrews, Miss Rodeo Oregon (4th) Chap Award - Carly Hagey, Miss Rodeo Illinois FOURTH RUNNER-UP TO MISS RODEO AMERICA Miss Rodeo Utah, Renae Cowley THIRD RUNNER-UP TO MISS RODEO AMERICA Miss Rodeo Colorado, Megan Grieve SECOND RUNNER-UP TO MISS RODEO AMERICA Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Tara Trask FIRST RUNNER-UP TO MISS RODEO AMERICA Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Stacy Jo Johnson CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO MISS RODEO AMERICA 2009, MEGAN RIDLEY, FORMERLY MISS RODEO CALIFORNIA
Following the conclusion of the Cowboy Christmas Bucks for Bags auction Avery Gonzales, Miss Rodeo Texas, was presented the first People's Choice Award based on text voting. Miss Gonzalezs received a Montana Silversmith First Class sculpture.
Over 1,700 votes were received during the voting session. For those of you at the WNFR you can text your vote for the WNFR Fan's Favorite through December 13. Check out your official rodeo program for more information. The winner of the WNFR text voting will receive a 50th Anniversary Commemorative sculpture.
The Miss Rodeo America Organization is made up of over 100 volunteers who believe in the value of the program and who wish to see the pageant experience continue to grow and improve for future contestants. Aside from the Executive Director position held by Raeanna Wadhams and the position of office manager held by Deanna Power, the planning and execution of the pageant is done solely by volunteer workers. Former contestants and Miss Rodeo America titleholders play a vital role in this process.
Many of the current National Directors were previously contestants in the pageant and four of the current Executive Board members were also state or national titleholders. In addition to titleholders, many parents and family members also continue to contribute their time and talents to the organization.
Karie O'Donnel reigned as Miss Rodeo Washington and currently serves as the National Director for her state program and sits on the Executive Board. "I stay involved because I believe in the program and the values and heritage it promotes. Rodeo queen pageants have helped to shape my life and to mold me into the persona I am today. To now be able to help young ladies realize their dreams is very rewarding and gratifying. In addition, the friends I have made through pageants and this organization are the best that a person could ever ask for."
Blog editor Bobbie (Ward) Hinds took a break from her rodeo queen involvement following her reign as Miss Rodeo Kansas. It wasn't until she moved to Iowa that she became involved with the Miss Rodeo America system again. She has been involved as the Iowa National Director for 7 years and has served on several Pageant committees. "I know without my pageant experience I wouldn't be the woman I am today. It wasn't always an easy road but it was very much a time in my life for great personal growth. I owe much to the Miss Rodeo Kansas and Miss Rodeo America pageants, and have been blessed to know some of the best of the best through my involvement."
Not all volunteers are contestant alumni, some are parent 'alumni'. While they themselves did not compete for the title their daughter's did and their experiences also add to the rich pool of talented volunteers. Gayle Bradford Plackmeyer's daughter Alyssa reigned as Miss Rodeo Texas 2007. This is her first year to attend the MRA Pageant as a parent alumni. She was responsible for creating the embroidered cloths placed on the state tables to identify each state and has been helping in several areas. When asked about her involvement she said, "I continue my involvement because I believe in this organization and its positive impact on young women. I have seen my daughter grow and the opportunities she has been given as a result of the Miss Rodeo America Organization."
On Friday night 20 alumni members had an opportunity to get to know the class of 2009 during the first Alumni Pizza Party. Jo Beth Stewart competed in the 1966 pageant as Miss Rodeo Texas and is now involved as a chaperon. She and her fellow alumni enjoyed getting to know the current royalty while enjoying a relaxed meal. The event was sponsored by The Rancher's Daughter - Jason & Jeana Allen of Mitchell, NE and Gayle Bradford Plackemeyer of Friendswood, TX.
The Miss Rodeo America Pageant welcomes the Calgary Stampede Trio, Queen Kerri Williamson, and princesses Kateri Cowley and Tara Sergerie. The trio just arrived on Thursday and will stay in Las Vegas through Monday. They will assist during the MRA Coronation Performance, and in addition will be hostesses at the Calgary Stampede Party at the South Point. They also extend a welcome invitation to State Queen Titleholders to attend the 2009 Calgary Stampede.
For the first time, the Miss Rodeo America organization was represented at the 62nd Annual PRCA National Convention. Bronc Rumford, Kiki Shumway, and former Miss Rodeo America Lori Bortner made three, half-hour presentations, attended by approximately 50-75 people each, representing local rodeo committees from across the nation.
Their topic was "Promoting your PRCA Rodeo while maximizing your advertising dollars by using a State Rodeo Queen or Miss Rodeo America and their qualifications to be your rodeo's PR person"
They gave a brief history of the MRA organization, and then went into the promotional value of utilizing a State Queen or MRA at your rodeo. They talked about the qualifications that these girls have, such as their knowledge of horsemanship and rodeo, their exceptional appearance and outgoing personalities. Also touched on were issues like the communication between the committee and the Queen, horses provided for her, and the expenses that the girls have going down the road from rodeo to rodeo.
Thanks to Kiki, Bronc & Lori for their marketing efforts for the organization!
~ Jody
Amy Wilson traveled the breadth of the country, and beyond, during her reign as Miss Rodeo America 2008. Read about some of her adventures in her final ProRodeo.com blog entry.
In addition to the contestants having the opportunity to answer a current-events impromptu question, the President's Luncheon honored the past Presidents of the Miss Rodeo America organization.
After a delicious beef lunch, contestants answered impromptu questions like "do you feel offshore drilling is a reasonable solution for our energy crisis" and "Should China have been allowed to host the Olympics?" Once offstage, Cheza, from Landstrom's Original Black Hills Gold Creations, presented each contestant with a beautiful pendant inscribed with her name, her state, and the year.
Tracy Damrell presented the Sales Achievement Award on behalf of Colorado Bank and Trust, to Sales Award winner Miss Rodeo Nevada, Anna Bavor.
Scrapbook awards were given out by sponsor Glen Klaus. 4th Place received $100, 3rd Place $150, 2nd Place $250 and 1st Place $500.
Special thanks to the President's Luncheon Committee, chaired by Linda Ebest, and State Sponsors Texas, California, Kansas and Tennessee.
