Miss Rodeo America 2009 Pageant

Get Acquainted Party Goes Red for Women

Over the years, the Get Acquainted Party has proven to be one of the favorite events during the MRA Pageant.  It is a casual evening where the Contestants can spend time with their families and friends and mingle with new friends from across the country.

The GAP raises scholarship money on behalf of the MRAP Alumni Association for the Written Test High Score Award.  In 2007 the committee chose a cause to donate part of the proceeds from the GAP to and selected the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign.  MRAI Executive Board Member and former President Sharon Halligan was battling breast cancer and the GAP donated funds to help offset her medical expenses.  This year the committee has chosen "Go Red for Women" which raises awareness and funds for women's heart disease.

According to the American heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women over age 25.  It kills nearly twice as many women in the United States than all types of cancer, including breast cancer.  Only 13 percent of women think heart disease is a threat to their health. 

Go Red for Women celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke.  Thanks to the participation of millions of people across the country, the color red and the red dress now stand for the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives.

One portion of the evening that is always fun and worth a good laugh is the "dollar dance" where party goers pay $1.00 to dance with one of the "celebrity dancers" from MRAI and $5.00 to dance with reigning Miss Rodeo America,  Amy Wilson.  In addition, souvenir rubber duckies and a variety of raffles help to raise additional funds.  2009 Ladies-in-Waiting and National titleholders will be mingling through the crowd all evening selling these items.

Another highlight of the evening is a presentation by Red Wilk and his family.  Each contestant will be presented a beautiful commemorative gift from Landstrom's Black Hills gold.  Red and Cindy, from Huron, South Dakota, are avid supporters of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation and the state titleholders.

Be sure to wear your dancing boots and RED and be prepared for a night of music, dancing, good friends and fun!

And it begins...

After months of preparation the competition has begun!  This morning at 11:00 contestants, family and others gathered at the Gator Lounge inside The Orleans Hotel and Casino for check-in.  For many it was a time to renew friendships made at least year's pageant, and for others it was a time for making new friends.  The contestants turned in their scrapbooks and the tickets they sold for the MRA Scholarship Foundation raffle.  Awards will be presented to the winners of the scrapbook competition and for sales achievement later in the week.

Chaperon Deb Dilley introduced reigning Miss Rodeo America Amy Wilson to the crowd who had gathered in the area.  She then introduced each contestant and Amy presented their official MRAP banner.  Following the event the contestants met with their chaperons and were briefed on what was going to be happening for the rest of the afternoon.

At 1:00 the contestants, family members and MRAP volunteers met in the Showroom for an orientation session.  MRA Executive Board President Tracy Damrel welcomed everyone and introduced members of the Executive Board.  MRA, Inc Executive Director Raeanna Wadhams took care of the official business and more information was presented to those in attendance about the upcoming week.  Each contestant introduced herself and other introductions were made.

It may be difficult to get an elevator or bell help for the rest of the afternoon as contestants move into their official pageant rooms.  Each is paired with a roommate (except one due to an odd number of contestants) for the next week.  Some have met before, even traveling together throughout their reigns, but for others this will be their first time getting to know each other.  Once they have moved into their rooms they will begin clothing fittings and will receive many of the gifts and mementos of the week provided by the generous Miss Rodeo America sponsors.

This evening the contestants will enjoy dinner together and will begin rehearsal for Tuesday's fashion show.  Parents will attend the Parent Social Mixer and your blog crew will be busy printing off emails for the contestants.