Holiday Parade, Billings

MidMorning on Black Friday, my mom and I loaded up my car and headed to Billings for the Holiday Parade. Dressed as an elf in bright green and red, with an elf hat and pointy ears, I was given the opportunity to hand out stuffed animals along the parade route. It was so touching to be able to give kids something to hold on to. It was a wonderful feeling to see their little faces light up and to hear them laugh. I came to the realization that it is never too late at night, too far to drive, to long of a walk, or too cold outside to make a difference by giving. I would like to specially thank Donna Hartman and the Treasure State ATV Association for inviting me on this adventure! It was a blessing! For more info about the TSATV, check out www.tsatv.org! If you’re from an area that has a similar program, find it in your heart to make a difference. God bless and happy holidays!

NRA Finals 2011

NRA Finals was my next outing, and my parents and I traveled over the continental divide to Butte, Montana, for the first NRA Finals outside of Billings in 37 years. As the car continued to climb in elevation, I got more and more excited for the weekend that was to follow. The first night was great; it was my first trip into a “dark house” on horseback, and that was really cool! The next day, Lorissa and I got up early to begin our busy day. We visited five elementary schools and talked to different classes about rodeo, our heritage, and why we were in Butte. Then, we headed to an interview with a reporter from the Montana Standard, who had a lot of questions about our jobs and our year as Miss Rodeo Montana and Miss Teen Rodeo Montana. After that, we headed to a kiddie rodeo sponsored by Murdoch’s, and we took kids through the barrel racing, pole bending, and roping stations. That night at the rodeo, the letters “USA” were lit up in flames during the Grand Entry, and it was really cool to be a part of all of the action! Our last day in Butte brought us to the Butte Plaza Mall, where Lorissa and I were the emcees of the first annual Murdoch’s Style Show. I had a great time at Tough Enough to Wear Pink night at the rodeo, and it was definitely a great weekend! Congratulations to all of the rodeo commitee for their successful rodeo, and thanks for making me a part of it! I am so glad I got to attend!

Tom Knight and I watching the rodeo!

Lorissa and I handing out autographs

Flying the colors of the Treasure State

Sometimes, a photo can say more than words ever could.

Rodee is a true Montana Cowboy!

Montana Fur Trappers’ Rendezvous

Lorissa and I kickin’ it in our furs during the skillet toss

Judging photos at the Trappers’ booth

We’re quite the pair of trappers! Here we are with Trapper’s Assoc. President, Tom.

My mom and I headed to central Montana to spend our day with the Trappers at their annual rendezvous. Lorissa and I got to compete in the skillet toss, trap setting, and the fur fashion show. Paparazzi Fur’s jackets and vests were absolutely gorgeous! My favorite one was one made of kidskin and silver fox, but they were all awesome pieces of artwork in the form of apparel! It was really fun to talk to some of the trappers and hear their stories about their adventures, as well as talk to them about the different types of traps and some of their skills they have honed from their experiences. I’m pretty excited to say that I placed second in the trap setting competition! My mom and I had so much fun at the rendezvous…it was definitely a new experience!

 

White Sulphur Springs Labor Day Rodeo

Labor Day is supposed to be a day of family fun and relaxation for America’s workforce. This year, Labor Day was most definitely that! My parents and I headed up to White Sulphur for their annual rodeo, and it was an awesome experience. My dad and I hung out with the Bozeman Saddle-ites, a ladies’ drill team of all ages who travel to different rodeos for the same purpose as me–to share the love of our great sport. Soon after getting to the fairgrounds, Ann Jones, Mindy Brown, and I headed to the production meeting to smooth out all the potential wrinkles that come with the first performance. The committee was great, and we got all of the logistics of sponsor flags, victory laps, and grand entry under control. Shortly after, I helped out with the Mutton Bustin’; kids and sheep is always a favorite! When the rodeo was over, dad and I drove with the Saddle-ites to the Ledger’s Ranch, where we set up camp for the night. They have a beautiful facility, and they are so gracious to have let us all stay there! In the morning, we headed to town for the parade and the rodeo. To our surprise, we ran into Chuck Gremp, who took some awesome pictures! (to view them, or for more info on how to get him at an event, look up www.grempphotography.com.) After the parade, we loaded up and headed to the arena, where I rode Touchdown for a while and headed to another production meeting. With a few changes to the orders of the day, we were ready to run on another rodeo! The rodeo was a ton of fun, and I was so excited to learn that the bull rider who had been injured in Stanford was riding in White Sulphur! The committee did an outstanding job, and it was so great to work with them. Thanks so much to Megan Shroyer for all of her help, the Bozeman Saddle-ites for annexing us into their “family,” and the rest of the committee for all of their hard work.

High School Spirit–Homecoming Parade

For most highschoolers, homecoming is a big week. I am no exception; I love getting dressed up for spirit week and taking part in the pep assembly. This year was just a little different. This year when I got ready for “Rebel Spirit Day,” I donned my volleyball warmup shirt and had my hair up in a bun and went to school just like every other day. But instead of taking my backpack into the school, I also carried my hat can, chaps, jeans, and all of my “queen” outfit. This year, the student council advisor and principal asked me to lead the parade with one of the members of my school’s rodeo team, and I was so excited! I was really counting my blessings that my chaps are black and silver…add my blue sash and a hat and, voila, rebel spirit galore! My dad hauled in GoGo for the parade, and Abigail and I carried our flags throughout the route. It was so much fun to see all of the elementary school kids and community members come out for the parade! Afterwards, a lot of kids had questions about my job and what I do as a rodeo queen, and it was a great opportunity to share my knowledge and my passion! Thanks so much to Alex Ator, Lori Sarrazin, Erik and Abigail Wilkerson, and the Shields Valley Student Council for making the parade such a success!

We come from a town where people still remove cover and place their hands over their hearts when they meet our nation’s flag.

Abigiail and I before the parade

Giving back–Old Settlers’ Days 2011

When I was little, I remember going to Old Settlers’ Days and doing the kids’ games with the Shields Valley Methodist Church at the park. This year, it was my turn to give the kids the chance I had. spent a few hours at Holliday Park playing games with the kids and putting on a kiddie rodeo. The kids loved getting “cowboy toys” (bandanas, cowboy coloring books, etc.) for “playing” at the rodeo. I had one little girl who would not quit roping until she caught the calf three times in a row! I had a lot of fun giving back in my own community and helping the kids while passing down the tradition of the greatest sport ever–rodeo!  Thanks to Jacky, Barbara, and Don for inviting me to help out!

 

Every day should be Military Appreciation Day. For my brother Jaime, we’re always supporting you!

Mr. Rose–thank you for always believing in me.

Natalie got really good at spinning a rope!

Missoula Stampede Rodeo

During the dog days of summer, my mom and I drove to Missoula for the famous Missoula Stampede. When we got there, we quickly oriented ourselves and got ready for the PBR’s VIP dinner and grand entry. Thankfully, my cousins were there, too, so my cousin Tanner helped with getting Touchdown tacked up and ready to run! After the PBR, we headed across town to the Wingate Inn, the host hotel, where we would call home for the rest of the week. All of the staff members were so cordial and welcoming! Over the course of the week, Lorissa and I traveled to sponsor visits, autograph signings, and pageant events! With Pattee Canyon, we helped emcee the speech and modeling portion of the Missoula Stampede pageant, as well as participate in the grand entry and help clear cattle at the rodeo. It was really great to spend time with and get to know all of the contestants at horsemanship and their other events. Also at the rodeo were the Sure Shot Trick Riders from Alberta, and it was fun to hang with them, too. Maddie, Roz, and Sally definitely top the charts for most amazing female athletes! I am really glad I got the opportunity to visit Missoula and spend time there at the Missoula Stampede and Fair. Thanks so much to Sankey Pro Rodeo, Gretchen Kirchmann, and all of the committee for having us there, and congrats to the newly crowned royalty!

Congrats to all of the new titleholders: BobbiLee, Mariah, Annika, and Claire!

God may not have given me a little brother, but cousins are close enough!

Annika and I before horsemanship interviews

The Wingate was an awesome host hotel!

There are only a handful of people who can do what this girl can. Maddie McDonald is such a gem.

Big Sky Pro Rodeo

Once again , I had the opportunity to attend the Big Sky Pro Rodeo at the Montana State Fair in Great Falls, MT. Working with the committee there, as always, proved to be a great experience and definitely one to remember! There were a lot of girls there as visiting royalty, and it was a blast to share the experince of the rodeo with all of them. It was really neat to be part of Military Appreciation night, where the Blackhawk chopper descended over the arena. It was also nice to be on Touchdown, who didn’t move a muscle in all of the ruckus! During the course of the week, I helped out with Family Night, Chicks N Chaps, as well as signed autographs and visited some sponsors. Of course, it was nice to be horseback for the rodeo to run flags and push cattle, too! We had the opportunity of meeting Aaron Tippin and attending some of the concerts at the fair; JayeDee and I had a blast at the Joan Jett and the Blackhearts concert! Jaye’s tenacity proved to be beneficial– we both got a guitar pick after the concert! My mom and I had a great time in Great Falls, and I hope to be able to go again next year! Thanks so much to Rocky Heckman, Virgil Hershberger, Tom Robitaille, Alli Hofman, Sankey Rodeo, Sure Shot Acts, and the rest of the committee for all of your hard work!

Breauna won the Mutton Bustin’ event! Her mom’s words were, “Hold on tight, don’t let go until they pull you off!”

Touchdown and I running flags by the Gold Buckle Club

Jade, thanks for being such a great friend!

Last Chance Stampede

The last week of July was spent in Helena at the Last Chance Stampede, and what a great week it was! My dad and I hauled Kate and Touchdown in for the weekend, and we had a great time! Lorissa and I led the parade with Old Glory and our state flag through downtown Helena. We both got to help out with the pre-rodeo mutton bustin’ and steer riding. The rodeo was, by far, the biggest one I had been to yet! They had a great crowd, and the committee was so great to work for! I was really glad I had been at that rodeo before, because it made it much easier when I “knew the ropes.” Lorissa and I had the opportunity of attending the Joe Nichols concert with my family and the Gurnett family. It was so much fun! I was really starstruck when we got to shake hands with Joe… he even signed my T-shirt!

Every night at the rodeo was a little different, and it was really great to be a part of one of Montana’s Most Improved Rodeos! There were a lot of cowboys and cowgirls there that have been topping the leaderboard, and it was truly an opportunity to meet and talk to them. Also, we got to witness one of the most incredible acts that I’ve ever seen– DJ and Kevin with MX productions. They had some awesome motorcycle tricks that kept the crowd in awe!

While in Helena, I also got to stop in and help with Chicks n Chaps on Tough Enough To Wear Pink night. It was so much fun to mingle with the ladies and share some rodeo knowledge! Lorissa and I also got to share our knowledge at various media interviews and autograph signings while there. We both walked with the kids in the kiddie parade, and we got to meet a “band” of cowgirls on bikes; they were just too cute!

Thanks so much to Kesler Rodeo, Tom Knight, Bonnie Jo Geier, Amy Robbins, and the rest of the Last Chance Stampede committee for inviting me to such a great rodeo!

Lorissa and I at the Joe Nichols concert

Cass put my hackle feathers in!

These guys were such an awesome PRCA act! DJ and KDawg.

Lorissa and I at the Kiddie Parade

Set the Pace

I attribute a lot of my skills and successes to my involvement in the National FFA Organization–my advisor, fellow members, and officer team. FFA plays a large role in my life, and without it, I would not be the person that I am. My summer has been packed full of rodeos and events across the state, but it has also been dotted from time to time with FFA activities and conferences. As president of my FFA chapter, I spend a lot of time planning, preparing, and competing with and for my chapter. This year, my fellow officers and I set up our Recreation and Recruitment activity, where we went to Canyon Ferry Lake for a day of relaxing and fun on the water. Even though we didn’t have a lot of people attend, the ones who did had an absolute blast! Some of us came back a little peachy from sunburn, but it was great to learn to water ski, knee board, and play on the tubes!

 

Ali and I getting ready for the first run of the day... Christina is there for moral support!

 

Two days later, part of the officer team traveled up to Bridger Bowl for our yearly officer retreat. We planned all of the activities, expenses, committees, and fundraisers for the upcoming year in our Program of Activities. We talked about our parliamentary authority and our constitution and bylaws, and about future applications with our POA. It was a lot of work, but it was so rewarding! The 5 of us decided to keep up the tradition of “mountain goating,” or hiking, and we headed up the mountain. It took a lot of time and effort, but together, we made it and it was an absolutely breathtaking view! The old adage is true–the view really is better from the top! Once we came back down, we met with past National FFA Officer Chase Rose and talked about goals for change in our chapter. We wrote our mission statement, and together, decided this would be the year to spread the passion of our organization and set the pace for other members.