Miss Rodeo Texas Blog

Hello Miss Rodeo Texas Fans,

     As I head home to spend Thanksgiving with my family, I was thinking about how fast the month of November has gone by. During the last few weeks, I have had the pleasure of being a part of some exciting appearances. Starting off with the San Antonio Special Olympics “Over the Edge” Day, where I am very happy to say, I made many new friends! Two young women who now hold a special place in my heart are Katherine and Ashley. 

     I had the privilege to watch these two very brave young women rappel down the side of the San Antonio Milam Building! I must say that when I arrived that morning, saw the height of the building, and the volunteers setting up the equipment for the athletes, I was very nervous for the girls. Ever since I was a young girl I have always been terrified of heights. For Katherine and Ashley, rappelling down tall buildings is a challenge they love and welcome. It was breathtaking to be watching these brave girls come down the side of the building in their harnesses. I admire them for their bravery and for being such an inspiration to others.

     The following weekend there was a stampede heading for Allen, Texas as the Texas Stampede Rodeo kicked off Thursday, November 8, with the Charity Gala. The Texas Stampede Rodeo is the 4^th largest PRCA rodeo in Texas, and is unique since the proceeds from the rodeo go towards benefiting Children’s Charities in Northeast Texas.   Also, I am very proud to say that I won the title of Miss Texas Stampede 2011 and that it was the title that I took to the 2012 Miss Rodeo Texas pageant. At the Charity Gala, I helped with greeting guests and showcasing items during the live auction. It was nice to meet people from all over Texas who came to this event in support of children’s charities. I truly enjoyed being able to help such a great cause. Friday and Saturday were full of exciting PRCA rodeo action. Prior to the rodeo, I visited the sponsor suites to thank the generous sponsors who make it possible to put on such a prestigious rodeo. During the rodeo I made a presentation ride, helped with the Mutton Bustin’ and Chuck Wagon Races. After the rodeo I signed autographs and took pictures with rodeo fans. I had a lovely time in Allen and it was a real pleasure to return to the rodeo after winning Miss Texas Stampede in 2011. 

   On November 12, I attended the Opera Guild of San Antonio’s 18^th Annual Fall Festival of Music at the Pearl Stables. I have always had a deep love and appreciation for music and greatly enjoyed listening to the opera singers. The next day, I was off to Hondo, Texas for the South Texas Cattlewomen’s meeting where I had the honor of presenting the program. Sharing my life story, my experiences thus far as Miss Rodeo Texas, and providing information on both the Miss Rodeo Texas and Miss Rodeo America pageant with fellow cattlewomen felt like second nature to me. Marjorie Murphy, Terry Chandler, and I prepared a little surprise for the Cattlewomen at the end of my presentation. We decided that since I have been studying and working very hard to prepare for the national pageant that I could turn the tables and have a little fun quizzing these women on their knowledge of cattle and Texas. I created a few questions and placed them in a basket for the Cattlewomen to randomly draw and answer. Answering these trivia questions was very entertaining and everyone had a good laugh trying to guess the answers. I appreciate these ladies giving me their time and for giving me a warm send off for the national pageant. 

On Wednesday, my travels took me to Poteet, Texas for their Rotary Club meeting. We had a delicious home cooked lunch, and I visited with Rotary members about the Miss Rodeo Texas organization and how being Miss Rodeo Texas has forever changed my life in a positive way.  I also visited Poteet High School and Southwest High School to speak to students about Miss Rodeo Texas, the importance of education, and how through hard work they can accomplish their dreams. I love speaking to young adults, using my life experiences to motivate them to set goals and achieve them. 

     Saturday November 17, my travels took me to Bulverde, Texas for the Tejas Rodeo Championship Rodeo. During the grand entry, I made a presentation ride on a beautiful paint mare named ‘Lena’. Immediately following the grand entry I headed to the Mutton Bustin’ station to help get the contestants fired up and ready to compete. The children were ecstatic to ride in the finals.  I loved being there to cheer them on and present them with their ribbons. After the rodeo, I helped with the awards ceremony and took pictures with each event champion and year end champion.

     Sunday afternoon Ida Scott, Miss Rodeo Texas Secretary, treated me to a Randy Travis concert at the Majestic Theater in downtown San Antonio. While at the concert I happened to run into Miss Wheelchair America, Mariah, and even had my picture taken with her. We had a great time listening and singing along to some of Randy’s greatest hits. At the end of the concert I even had a chance to say hello and shake Randy Travis’ hand. 

     I would like to thank San Antonio Special Olympics, Katherine, Ashley, Texas Stampede Rodeo, Opera Guild of San Antonio, South Texas Cattlewomen, Marjorie Murphy, Terry Chandler, Poteet Rotary, Poteet High School, South West High School, Tejas Rodeo, and Ida Scott for being a part of my travels as Miss Rodeo Texas during November.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with great company and food!

Greetings Miss Rodeo Texas Fans,

                Fall officially feels like it is here and I am very thankful for the cooler weather along with all of the fall festivities. The Miss Rodeo America Pageant and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo are a little more than a month away and my anticipation is building as we get closer. As many of you already know, the Miss Rodeo America People’s Choice Award competition is well under way. Currently, Texas is in third place. I am urging each of you to please vote and tell your friends to do the same. Voting is easy just go to the Miss Rodeo Texas Facebook page and click on my picture, and then click ‘like.’ After you have voted please click ‘share’ and type a message asking your friends to vote. I know we can win this if we all come together! Let’s show America what the great state of Texas is all about! Thank you for your support. 

                This past week, I have had the opportunity to attend several events. Last Wednesday I went to the Lion’s Club meeting in Hondo, Texas with Miss Rodeo Texas committee member Glenn Klaus and former Miss Rodeo Texas, Brandy Bendele. Mr. Klaus, Mrs. Bendele, and I had a good time catching up with each other and the rest of the Lion’s Club Members.  We had a delightful lunch, then I gave an informative speech about the Miss Rodeo Texas organization and explained how this has been such a positive life changing experience for me. After the meeting, Mr. Klaus and I were off to Meyer Elementary School to talk to the Kindergarten classes. The little ones were beyond being excited to see me and I was happy that I made their day that much more special. I am always grateful to be able to talk to student, and feel it is imperative to emphasize the importance of education at all ages. The Kindergarteners and I had a terrific time talking about what they want to be when they grow up, how they will accomplish their goals by going to school, and coloring the Miss Rodeo Texas coloring sheets. 

                Thursday, Marjorie Murphy, Miss Rodeo Texas State Director, and I left San Antonio bright and early in the morning, heading north to Fort Worth for the 37^th Annual National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Inductions. Upon our arrival, I had the pleasure of meeting Mackenzie Carr, Miss Rodeo America 2012. It was nice to finally meet Mackenzie in person and visit with her about her year as Miss Rodeo America. I was also very excited to meet PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman, and was even able to get my picture taken with him. During the luncheon we sat with the Banks Family, and former Miss Rodeo California Kadee Coffman. The 2012 Inductees included Mildred Farris, Sunny Hale, Barbra Schulte, and Stacy Westfall. Being at the luncheon and around such ambitious women was very inspirational. It was interesting to hear their stories about how they helped to shape the west and how they left a lasting impression on the world. I loved getting to listen to these women whom I have looked up to tell their story. One day I hope to be able to say that I too have left a lasting impression and made a difference in the lives of others. 

                On Saturday morning, I was glad to see the rain had passed us by as the sun finally broke from the clouds and the Pleasanton Parade began. The streets of Pleasanton were lined with parade goers cheering for the kickoff of the 47^th Annual Cowboy Homecoming. I had the honor of riding along with the Brush Country Republican Women’s Club and Michael Berlanga, who is running for Texas Senate District 19. We all had so much fun greeting people and taking pictures while riding on the parade route. 

     That night I headed out to Tejas Rodeo in Bulverde for their Saturday night performance. Tejas Rodeo is a weekly Saturday night rodeo in Bulverde, Texas that runs from March to November. I was joined by Miss Rodeo Texas Committee member, Terry Chandler, and her husband Allen. During the grand opening of the rodeo I made a presentation ride around the arena. Immediately after that I went to the Mutton Bustin’ station to help get the cowboys and cowgirls pumped up for their ride and made sure their safety equipment was on properly. 

     During the Mutton Bustin’ I cheered the contestants on and even was given the honor of presenting the champion with his beautiful shiny buckle. After the rodeo was over, I signed autographs and visited with rodeo fans. This prestigious rodeo draws quite a crowd from locals to people from other countries. If you are in the Bulverde area, I highly recommend you check out this action packed rodeo! There are still three rodeos left in this season, with the final’s showdown scheduled for November 17, 2012.  

     Tuesday morning, my travels took me to the picturesque town of Kerrville, Texas for a fashion show modeling Dolores’ Unique Designs at the Y.O. Ranch Hotel. Dolores’ Unique Designs is one of our great sponsors of the Miss Rodeo Texas pageant, and I was flattered that Delores asked me to come and model for her. I was joined by Miss Rodeo Austin Princess, Hannah Tomlinson. Hannah and I had a fabulous time playing dress up in Dolores’ Mohair creations. I was privileged to model a brown overcoat, and a gorgeous jade green jacket. It was an exhilarating feeling to be walking down the runway in front of the large crowd and hearing the crowd cheer.

     I would like to thank Glenn Klaus, Brandy Bendele, the Hondo Lion’s Club, the Banks Family, Marjorie Murphy, the Brush Country Republican Women’s Club, Tejas Rodeo, and Dolores’ Unique Designs for an outstanding week of appearances.  I am very happy to be fortunate enough to take part in these activities. 

Howdy Miss Rodeo Texas Fans,

     The Traveling Aggie’s Club is made up of fellow and former students along with friends of Texas A&M who enjoy traveling the world and seeing new places. I had a great time reminiscing with Mrs. Kallison and the other Traveling Aggies about their memories of College Station and all of the places they have traveled to. After talking with these fellow Aggies, I now have an extremely long list of places I wish to explore and visit on my next vacation. Miss Rodeo Texas 2011 and fellow Aggie, Lauren Graham, also came out to the reception. It was great to see Lauren again and get to catch up on the latest happenings in each other’s lives. We all had a delicious dinner that included an ‘International Buffet,’ and featured foods from different parts of the world. Just when I thought the night couldn’t get any better, our school mascot, ‘Reveille’ made an appearance. It was so much fun to pet and take pictures with her. I will forever admire ‘Reveille’s’ beautiful coat, and secretly wish I could keep my own collie’s hair looking that soft and silky smooth. 

     Saturday night I attended the 18^th Annual ‘Go Rodeo’ Gala with the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. This event is dedicated to supporting the San Antonio Livestock Show Youth Scholarship Fund. There were over 600 guests in attendance.  It was very inspirational to see this many people coming out to support Texas youth. Prior to the dinner I visited with guests, signed autographs and took pictures. After dinner I helped with the live auction, and posed for pictures with each of the buyers. The event featured two legendary country singers, Gary P. Nunn and Ray Price. I enjoyed listening to these two well-known performers, and was even lucky enough to get to dance with Gary during Ray Price’s concert.  I had a lovely night getting to know the rodeo committees and guests, sharing laughs, and dancing the night away.  

     I would like to thank Julie Kallison, Jennifer Bohac, Lauren Graham, the Traveling Aggies, and the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo Committee Members for such an enjoyable weekend.