Viva Las Vegas!
This is my Mom and I in front of the MGM Grand Hotel where the Miss Rodeo America Competition took place 
Looking back… The memory of flying into Las Vegas seems like a dream now, but it really happened! After 7 years of dreaming, planning and preparing, I was honored to walk into the MGM Grand Hotel wearing the Miss Rodeo Texas Crown and representing the state that I love!
- All of the State girls during Orientation
- (photo courtesy of MRA and Keeton Productions)
The Miss Rodeo America Staff, Committee and volunteers made it so much fun for all of the girls. Don’t get me wrong, there were also a lot of late nights and early mornings, but the experience was all I believed it could be and much more. One of the best things about the contest was the support that I received from the Miss Rodeo Texas Organization, my family and our friends. Every time I stepped on stage I knew that I was surrounded by people that were supporting me and of course… Texas cheers were the loudest of all!!!
Cowgirl Kick Off with Kristi Sampson of Kristi Q Designs and Gayle Plackemeier
I wanted to acknowledge each of you that made the trip to Vegas to watch and support me. I cannot explain how much that means to me, because I guess it’s a feeling that only the heart can understand! All I can say is “Thank You so much!!!” To those that were cheering me on from home and those that sent emails and flowers, I want you all to know that your support and encouragement was felt across the miles and you helped me get through each event and every day. (I love you guys!!!) I also want to thank the wonderfully talented designers that helped me pull my wardrobe together for this big event! Kristi Sampson of Kristi Q Designs, Jan Faulkner, Donna Riva, Julie Ewing and Vicki Brodrick. I love, appreciate and respect each of you for your talents and the heart that you put into each piece. Thanks also to Erica and Brent Hodge of Barstow Rodeo for creating my custom chaps that I love!
With my favorite VP, Mr. Kelly Baxley during the Kick Off Party
Ms Tawana & Ms Kelle flew in from San Antonio to give their support!
I enjoy and look forward to the speech portion of any competition and I feel extremely proud to have won the Best Speech Award at Miss Rodeo Texas and now at Miss Rodeo America with the speech written for me by my Mom. It is a tremendous honor because there were so many great speeches. I want to take a moment to thank My Mom for all that she has done to support me in this journey (including hauling all my stuff from Texas to Vegas with the help of our friend Kellie Carr) “I couldn’t have done this without your help.” I also want to thank my Step Dad Jason who fought the ice storms in Dallas for days to finally get to Vegas in time to escort me on stage! “You guys are the best family a girl could ask for and I love you all!”
Receiving the MRA Speech Award from Mr. Klaus was such an honor! (Photo Credit to Keeton Productions)
With Miss WA Jessie Tennant & Miss UT Makenzie Maughn at the Tarter Booth after MRA horsemanship
On my trip to Cheyenne, WY in July, I got to meet some of the other State Queens. Makenzie Maughn, Miss Rodeo Utah and Brayvyn Brockman, Miss Rodeo Wisconsin were two of them. Brayvyn and I have become great friends and helped each other get ready for the contest but I must say that she has got to be one of the funniest people I’ve ever met! “Thanks Brayv for always keeping it light and making me laugh!” I had the honor of rooming with Makenzie during the Pageant and I could not have asked for a better roomie! She is an amazing person, competitor and friend. I dare say that we had too much fun and I think the lack of sleep contributed to our inability to stop laughing at times but neither one of us seemed to care. “Thanks for making this one of the best memories of my life Mak. I love ya and I will never forgot ya!”
With Makenzie & Brayvyn during the Hall of Fame Event
I have learned so much about myself throughout this journey and I am so grateful for it. The outcome may not have been what I set out to accomplish, but I trust that it is exactly where God intended me to be and in that, I can find satisfaction and comfort. I want to extend a big Congratulations to Paige Nicholson of Mississippi. She is a beautiful person inside and out and will represent the PRCA well as the newly crowned 2014 Miss Rodeo America! (I look forward to seeing you again at the Houston Rodeo!)
As we all know… it is not always where we end up that matters the most, but it is what we accomplish, who we help, the memories we make and the impressions we leave behind that really count! That is where I am doubly blessed! Throughout my year and especially during the MRA competition I have met some wonderful people, made life long friends and created memories I will treasure the rest of my life! I pray that the impact I leave behind is as positive as the impact each of you have had on my life.
The best part of this all, is that I get to come home to the best place and the best people on earth… TEXAS!
With Thanks and Appreciation,
(photo courtesy of Keeton Productions)
Stephanie Revels
Your, Miss Rodeo Texas 2013