Miss Rodeo America 2009 Pageant

President's Luncheon - December 4, 2008

In addition to the contestants having the opportunity to answer a current-events impromptu question, the President's Luncheon honored the past Presidents of the Miss Rodeo America organization. 

After a delicious beef lunch, contestants answered impromptu questions like "do you feel offshore drilling is a reasonable solution for our energy crisis" and "Should China have been allowed to host the Olympics?"  Once offstage, Cheza, from Landstrom's Original Black Hills Gold Creations, presented each contestant with a beautiful pendant inscribed with her name, her state, and the year. 

Tracy Damrell presented the Sales  Achievement Award on behalf of Colorado Bank and Trust, to Sales Award winner Miss Rodeo Nevada, Anna Bavor.

Scrapbook awards were given out by sponsor Glen Klaus.  4th Place received $100, 3rd Place $150, 2nd Place $250 and 1st Place $500.

Special thanks to the President's Luncheon Committee, chaired by Linda Ebest, and State Sponsors Texas, California, Kansas and Tennessee.

Miss Rodeo America Scrapbook Awards

The Miss Rodeo America Scrapbook Awards were given out at the President's Luncheon on Thursday.  The scrapbook committee, consisting of Zong Vig, Glenn Klaus, Sherrie Norris, Candy Gratton, Debbie Foot, Jody Rempel, Bindee Eberle, and Frankie Engel, narrowed down the field of 27 scrapbooks to four winners.

This year's scrapbook competition saw some new ideas in scrapbooking... the digital age is upon us and two contestants this year chose to use digital services to create their "books."  And while it may not be the standard now, we certainly expect that there will be more ideas like those to come in the future.

In addition to the scrapbook "guidelines" that are in the MRA Rulebook, here is some additional criteria that the committee looked at when they were judging:

1. Typed captions on every photo
2. Good grammar and spelling
3. Clear and easy to read table of contents
4. Pages are protected with lamination or other plastic sleeves
5. Pages are numbered under the plastic
6. The book opens and lays flat easily
7. Manageable
8. Pages are secure; won't rip or fall out
9. Attractive and durable cover and one that shows creativity
10. A good beginning page
11. A good ending page

And the winners were:  In 4th place, Miss Rodeo Oregon, Nicole Andrews.  Very creative and readable layouts, easy to read, typed captions and loved the idea of taking a photo of the saddle horn of every saddle you sat in throughout the year!    In 3rd place, Miss Rodeo Arkansas, Dilynn Dodd - made good use of the entire cover inside & out.  Great table of contents and nice pages.    In 2nd place, Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Tara Trask.  Very creative cover with the "blue jean" theme and very thorough book. 

1st Place winner of the Scrapbook competition was Miss Rodeo Missouri, Janelle Schlobohm.  Her scrapbook had good typed captions, was done in 1st person, used the inside front cover well and had a very creative idea for the scrapbook with a "box".  A nice sized scrapbook and easy to read.  Very well done and durable - congratulations, you will enjoy this forever!

2008 PRCA Awards Banquet

One of the many appearances Miss Rodeo America makes during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Week is to the 2008 PRCA Awards Banquet.  Amy Wilson was on hand to assist the PRCA sponsors with the awards presentations.  Master of Ceremonies was Wayne Brooks.

Among those receiving recognition were the National Finals Steer Roping Personnel, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Personnel, the 2008 AQHA/PRCA/WPRA Horses of the year, and the 2008 Bucking Stock of the Year.  Media Awards were given to Jim Svoboda for Photo Journalism, Spin to Win Magazine for Print Journalism, and Donnie Gay for Broadcast Journalism.

The "Remuda" award for the contractor went to John Growney; the "Best Remuda" award for Committees went to the Kitsap County Stampede in Bremerton, WA.

Here were the big award winners of the night:

2008 Coors Man in the Can:  Troy Lerwill

2008 Secretary of the Year:  Haley Schneeberger

2008 Bullfighter of the Year:  Darrel Diefenbach

2008 Clown of the Year:  Keith Isley

2008 Announcer of the Year:  Boyd Polhamus - and following this award, Hadley Barrett made a presentation, on behalf of all of the announcers, to Benjie Bendele for his outstanding efforts as a sound man and his dedication to rodeo.

2008 Dress Act of the Year:  John Payne

2008 Comedy Act of the Year:  Troy Lerwill

2008 Small Rodeo of the Year:  Estes Park, CO

2008 Medium Rodeo of the Year:  Deadwood, SD

2008 Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year:  San Antonio, TX

2008 Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year:  Cheyenne, WY

2008 Stock Contractor of the Year:  Stace Smith Pro Rodeo

Submitted by Jody Rempel