Thursday - Round 2 of Speeches and More

Nine contestants presented their two-minute state speeches this morning in the Showroom of The Orleans Hotel.  They included Miss Rodeo Oregon, Miss Rodeo Michigan, Miss Rodeo Colorado, Miss Rodeo Alabama, Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Miss Rodeo Iowa, Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Miss Rodeo Arizona and Miss Rodeo California.

Following the speeches many reigning and aspiring queens attended the Rodeo Royalty Information Seminar.  Presenters included reigning Miss Rodeo America Ashley Andrews, PRCA Announcer Tim Fuller, Head Chaperon Debbie Dilley and fitness trainer Bindee Eberlee.

At noon the contestants and their guests attended the annual President's Luncheon.  Hosted by MRA Executive Board President Tracy Damrell, the luncheon honored past presidents in attendance: Judy Gill, Jim Sutton, Arlene Kensinger, Marjorie Murphy, Bronc Rumford and Kiki Shumway.  To begin the event each contestant carried her state flag into the room.  They entered as a pair, and formed an alley of flags for Ashley Andrews to bring the beautiful flag of the United States of America through.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said, then guests dined on another tender beef lunch followed with a delicious slice of strawberry cheesecake for dessert.

It was then time for the contestants to showcase their current event knowledge.  Each was called forward to draw a question from the bowl.  She then read the question and passed it on to Tim Fuller to read, then answered the question.  Topics included the presidential primaries and caucuses, employers rights to drug test employees, the banning of Christmas light displays and other topics that really showed the awareness all twenty-seven contestants have of their world.

Following their questions they were photographed with MRA, Inc. President Tracy Damrell and Cheza from Landstrom's Original Black Hills Gold Creations.  They received a composite photo featuring all twenty-seven contestants and a participation certificate from Miss Rodeo America, Inc.  Cheza also presented each a keepsake Landstroms necklace pendant with their name, state and year engraved on the back of it.  The pendants were a reproduction of a small piece of the Miss Rodeo America crown complete with an Alexandrite stone.

To finish the luncheon, Tracy Damrell presented Ashley Andrews with a beautiful pencil drawing of her as Miss Rodeo America drawn by noted Western artist Jack Wells.

The rest of the day was filled with Horsemanship interviews and dance practice.  This evening the contestants attended the first performance of the 49th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.