Cherokee Rodeo

Wow! What a summer it has been. I can’t believe that summer is almost over. So here is a recap of my amazing summer. I started the summer off in Cherokee, IA. My Mom and I woke up bright and early for the six hour drive to Cherokee. We arrived just in time to unload the car and meet up with Heidi Gansen, Miss Rodeo Iowa 2011, and Paige Overson, Miss Rodeo Minnesota 2011, and head to the arena. There we meet with Tally Roepke, Miss Rodeo Cherokee 2010, and the newly crowned Miss Rodeo Cherokee 2011,Kearsten Brown.  Then it was off to to help with the mutton busting and calf scramble. After all the kids events were over they asked the queens to line up on the starting line and turned to more calves out! It was our turn to see who was the fastest! Kearsten took the prize getting the handkerchief off the first calf. Then with the help of Heidi we cornered the last one and I was able to get the second

handkerchief! Barns Rodeo Company put on a spectacular rodeo that night! It was my first time at a rodeo in Cherokee and let me tell you they know what it takes to put on a great rodeo! The next morning we attended a meeting of the Cherokee Chamber of congress and got to meet the people who work hard year round to make this rodeo possible. Around noon we meet up at the Dodge dealer on the edge of town for some great burgers and meet some of the towns’ people and committee members. After a great lunch we went to a local nursing home and visited with some of the residents. It is always a great feeling seeing their faces light up as we talked about the rodeo and everything going on in town. Many residents had stories of their own experiences at the Cherokee Rodeo. That night we signed autographs for the fans as they came in the gate. Also that night a very good friend Kodi Hansen was able to make it to the rodeo. Kodi and I have went to rodeos together for many years and then went opposite directions for college, it made the Cherokee rodeo that much more special to catch up with a long lost friend. Saturday morning we were all up bright and early for a radio interview. It was my first time in a radio studio and was a very fun interview! Then we headed to the train depot for lunch and to watch the train robbery re-enactment. It was a great show! That afternoon was the parade.  A float was provided for us to ride on. Other then it being EXTREMELY hot the parade was a great time. It was relieving to get back to the air conditioned hotel! That night was another great night of rodeo action! Then Sunday morning we started the long drive home. Wanted to say a big thank you to the Cherokee rodeo committee for inviting me to be a part of their rodeo!

The Start of a Great year!

Wow! I Can't believe it is January already! It seems like just yesterday Heidi and I were crowned in Fort Madison. Lets take a look back at that wonderful weekend! The weeks leading up to the pageant were a little crazy. I had recently started college in Marshall, MO, so most of the packing and organizing had to be done the few weekends I was able to come home or the night before we left. After what seemed like I would never make it there. My Mom and I arrived in Fort Madison on Thursday afternoon. We Checked into the hotel then hurried and got ready for orientation. There we met the other contestant Caitlin Kuehn. Then, along with the Miss Rodeo Iowa contestants we headed out to the rodeo grounds to walk the stands with our People's Choice Award buckets. Friday started off bright and early with Horsemanship. The weather was a bit cold and chilly but we maneged to get through without getting too wet. After Horsemanship we loaded up and all had lunch together. Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for personal interview. The interviews went rather well. I enjoyed talking with the judges they were all lighthearted and really made the interview fun! And then it was speech time! Speech has always been my favorite part of the competition. All the speeches were great and very interesting! That night the rain clouds rolled in and unloaded on Fort Madison. The contestants were unable to ride in the grand entry but we still worked the stands for the peoples choice award. It never ceases to amaze me how great rodeo fans truly are! Even with the bitter cold rain the stands were still packed! Saturday morning it was parade time. As always huge crowds lined the streets of the whole parade. After the parade it was time for what all of us contestants had been waiting for... Coronation time! But before we could

find out the results we got to model and dance. Then it was results time...I couldn't belive the results! Not only had I won the pageant had won the the Bob Britton Speech award, Horsemanship and Miss Congeniality. I was so excited and couldn't wait for the year to start. That night Heidi Gansen, Miss Rodeo Iowa 2011, and I helped Jordanne and Hannah out in the grand entry and pushing out calves. Heidi and I were both so excited I don't think there was a single moment all night that both of us weren't smiling ear to ear!
The next morning we helped serve coffee at the pancake breakfast and then met back at the hotel for the official signing of our contracts.Then it was back to reality which meant class bright and early on Monday morning! It was a great weekend  and one I'm sure I will never forget. I am so excited for this year and what it will bring.

Coronation Fundrasier

Saturday, Feb 12, 2011 – Word of Life Youth Center, Bloomfield, IA

5:00 p.m. Social time and chance to bid on silent auction items

6:00 p.m. Dinner served

6:45 p.m. Official Crowning of Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2010

7:00 p.m. Live (fundraising) Auction begins

I hope you will all be able to attend! If you would like directions, more information, or to become a sponsor you can contact me at rodeo714@hotmail.com. For more information on the Miss Rodeo Iowa organization visit http://www.missrodeoiowa.org/