THANK YOU ALL!!

Dear Wyoming,

What a ride! It’s hard to believe that a whole year has come and gone! I have been looking through the pictures from my year and I’m still amazed at some of the things I have been able to do! From visiting Mt. Rushmore, to hog hunting in Florida, to carrying the American Flag at some of Wyoming’s biggest rodeos and driving a Ram truck in between it truly has been an INCREDIBLE YEAR!! I look back at all of the great memories that I’ve made and the sisterhood that was formed with the other state queens and I know that this is a once in a lifetime experience!

God has truly blessed me with an unforgettable year as Miss Rodeo Wyoming! Words cannot express my sincere gratitude for all those who helped me along the way. Each day I place the jade crown on my hat, I am blessed with the support of a loving family, an enthusiastic community and the unbelievable state of Wyoming! I am humbled by the outpouring of support, and I pray that God will continue to bless the lives of those I have met this year. Thank you Mom, Dad, Ben, Morgan and Tim for being the backbone of my support system. To the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association, Dean Parker with Fremont Motors and Holly Pratt with Nelson Engineering, thank you all for believing in me and making this year so special.

I look forward to the future knowing that God has a special plan for me! I will be going back to school at the University of Wyoming in January to finish my degree in Kinesiology. In the meantime I am excited to give back to the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association who has done so much for me! I am excited to be a part of an elite group of ladies as a former Miss Rodeo Wyoming. I hope to support both McKenzie Haley and Brittany Richards as they embark on journeys of their own! I also hope to continue to be involved in rodeo, I’ve just started getting serious about team roping and I aspire to become a timer for the PRCA. The future looks bright indeed!

This will be my last post as Miss Rodeo Wyoming. I want to wish Brittany the best, you are going to be a great Miss Rodeo Wyoming! I am thankful to call you my friend! Stop often and take it all in, always remembering where you came from! This is a year you will look back upon with fondness for the rest of your life! Always know that I am here to answer any questions, laugh and cry with you!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows: James 1:17

Thank you all for believing in me!!

God Bless!

Erin Heffron

Miss Rodeo Wyoimng 2010

Forever West!

“WOW!” is all I have to say after watching Erin and the other Miss Rodeo America contestants at the fashion show Wednesday night. The dance moves, music, and magic made for a wonderful performance! Dressed in clothing donated by Wrangler, the girls showed us their moves under the “Wrangler Big Top”. The night’s theme of the big top circus was complete with magic and illusions between the dances. The fashion show ended with the girls modeling their dresses. The designs were stunning and Erin shined like the star she is in her red dress made by Janelle Baldwin.

After the show, we met up with Erin at the after party. It was great to be able to ask her how she was doing and see that smile on her face. She told us that she had finished her horsemanship/rodeo interview and that it went well. She also felt good about her written test she had taken earlier in the week. We had time to grab a few pictures before the night was over.

Thursday morning Erin was first to give her speech during the second round of speeches. She was inspiring with her speech about the Code of the West and how it was a piece of Wyoming for everyone. She looked great on stage in her teal dress. Her media interview was then shown to the audience. After the speeches, the girls got ready and made their way to the South Point Hotel and Casino for the PRCA luncheon. Erin showed off the Wyoming Tough Enough to Wear Pink chaps made by our chap sponsor, Tim Bath.

The evening ended with the girls attending the first performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center here in Las Vegas, NV. I saw Erin there (it was my first time at the WNFR) and she was having a great time there!
Today we will finish the speeches and we will all make our way to Cowboy Christmas where the girls will hold a foundation auction auctioning off bags they brought representing their state. We are getting closer and closer to the coronation on Saturday!

It’s been such a wonderful week and Erin is doing such a wonderful job representing the state of Wyoming, the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association, the professional sport of rodeo, herself, and most of all, her family!

“Wyoming, Forever West!”

Brittany Richards

It’s Downhill From Here!

We have reached the midpoint of the Miss Rodeo America pageant here at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Yesterday Erin and the other contestants attended the President’s Breakfast. Erin looked amazing in her orange dress! Each contestant answered a current event question. Erin answered her question regarding the grades given in elementary schools with confidence. The awards for scrapbook were also given, and Erin’s friend, Jordan Han from Montana, won the first place ribbon and scholarship. Erin was so happy for her!

After the President’s Breakfast, the contestants had their personality interviews and their photogenic pictures taken. The interviews were closed to the public but the photogenic photos will be on www.shooterenterprises.com later this week. When the girls were not interviewing they were at dance rehearsal for the fashion show. After all the dancing rehearsals they have had this week, I am getting so excited for the show!

I had the pleasure of seeing Erin that night at Billy Bob’s Steak House in Sam’s Town. If you have been to Sam’s Town you will know about the amazing waterfall that is in front of the restaurant, and if you have not been, you need to make a trip. As the girls walked across the bridge toward the steak house, the fog came up and waterfall and fountain came to life. It was a remarkable entrance for them and it brought tears to my eyes and pride in my heart to know that Erin is doing such a wonderful job representing Wyoming not only this week but this entire year.

This morning was round one of speeches. Erin did not give her speech today, but instead was able to get a little bit more sleep. The Rodeo/Horsemanship Interviews are split between today and tomorrow. We do not know when Erin will have her interview with the judges, but we are sure she will continue to do an amazing job. While not interviewing, the girls are, you guessed it, having dance rehearsal. Tonight will be the big show and everyone is so excited. I did catch a glimpse of Erin today on her way to their lunch with the judges. It makes me so happy to know that she has worked so hard to get here, and she is finally here!

We are on the downhill side of this week, but I can bet Erin would say, “Wow, what a ride!”

Brittany Richards