The annual President's Luncheon was held today at The Orleans Hotel and Casino. Sponsored by the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Miss Rodeo Mississippi Pageant, the event included twenty-seven former Miss Rodeo America titleholders along with the Current Event Impromptu Question portion of the competition.
Emcee Tim Fuller began by introducing guests at the head table. Bronc Rumford, current President of the Miss Rodeo America Executive Board, along with his wife Kate and his mother Lola were on hand. Past presidents in attendance were Ken Cross (Utah, 1973 and 1974) and wife Bev, Judy Gill (Louisiana, 1991 and 1992), Jim Sutton (South Dakota, 1995 and 1996) and wife Julie, Arlene Kensinger (Wyoming, 1997 and 1998), Sharon Halligan (Nebraska, 1999 and 2000) and husband Halligan, and Marjorie Murphy (Texas, 2001 and 2002).
Representing the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo was Junior Miss Dixie National Rodeo and Ellen Morgan, State Delegate for the Miss Rodeo Mississippi Pageant, represented the pageant. Other guests introduced included Emily Aldredge, National High School Rodeo Queen, Kelli Jackson, National Little Britches Rodeo Association Queen, Lynsey Reed, National Little Britches Rodeo Association Princess, and Jim Shoulders, 16-time World Champion Cowboy and Wrangler endorsee, along with his wife Sharon.
Ms. Lola Rumford gave the invocation and guests enjoyed a roast beef and steamed vegetable lunch. Everyone in attendance received a Mississippi themed gift at their chair. Mr. Red Wilk presented Fiftieth Anniversary pendants to Arlene Kensinger, Kiki Shumway, Hoppy Hervey and Zona Vig for their continued support of the pageant.
Contestants answered their current event questions in a pre-determined draw. Instead of drawing a question from the bowl, each drew a name of a previous Miss Rodeo America. Each held a current event question that they then asked of the contestant. Three examples include:
* Do you think Americans should be able to purchase prescription drugs from other countries using prescriptions from American doctors? Why or why not?
* Do professional sports team strikes serve their purpose as a negotiating tool, or do you view them as merely a way for players to increase their salaries? Do you believe strikes by professional athletes serve their purpose?
* Should wealthy criminals be forced to pay for the cost of their incarceration or would that be discriminatory towards the rich? Support your answer.
After answering their questions the contestants were off for an afternoon of horsemanship/rodeo knowledge interviews and coronation practice. Look for photos of the event at http://www.ShooterEnterprises.com later today.
