On your Marks! Get Set......

It's the middle of June, I am lined up at the starting line, in ready position. I am getting set to start my race across the state of Wyoming to visit it's PRCA rodeos. My heart is racing, my palms are sweating, my camera is charged, and my smile is shining.

I warmed up for my race with some appearances in Laramie. I was a celebrity reader for the Wyoming Reads day. Every first grade classroom in the state of Wyoming traveled to their public library on May 17th to hear a story, see a play, and receive their very own hardback book. This program was started by the family of a Casper teacher who was killed in a car accident years ago. It was fun getting to see the kids so excited to be getting a book with their very own name on the inside cover.

Reading "The Monkey Who Swallowed A Fly"

Handing out books

My next warm-up exercise took me to the Summer Wyoming Special Olympics here in Laramie. I kicked off their games by being emcee during the opening ceremonies. I was joined by numerous guest speakers and all of the athletes. I also presented medals during the gymnastics, track, and swimming portions of the games. The sportsmanship these athletes showed made me honored to be there! Not only were they happy when they received a medal, but they were happier for the others standing next to them on the award blocks. The hugs they shared and the laughs they had made it so much fun!

One of the athletes and I laughing before the Opening Ceremony

The crowd!

These kids have FUN!

Max Maxfield

Bringing in the torch!

I warmed up my driving legs by driving up to the Snowy Range on Memorial Day with my parents. If you don't know, Laramie still has alot of snow on the peaks above town, so much that the road was still closed until a few days ago! As you can see, there was a lot of snow up there still! That means flooding is a big concern for the valley!



I had a chance to do a little work for one of my big sponsors, Albany County Tourism. I taped a "commercial" for their website. I urge you to check it out! Go to www.visitlaramie.org , turn up the volume on your computer, and wait.

Jamie and Fred from the Albany County Tourism office

I made a few "test" runs before my big Race Across Wyoming. I made a run to Elizabeth, CO for the Elizabeth Stampede. It was my first outdoor rodeo as Miss Rodeo Wyoming, and I want to thank Colorado for reminding me why I need to pin my hat on! The wind the first night during rehearsal was so strong, I had to switch hats! I had alot of fun hanging out with Miss Rodeo Colorado, the outgoing queen, Victoria, and the two new royalty members Tori Jo and Caroline. I also had the chance to get to know Kathy Sabine from 9News. Her and I rode together in the parade and rodeo. She really is as tall as she looks on TV. During the queen's luncheon, I received the award for Best Pink. Thank you Victoria for being an amazing queen! I also want to thank my host home, Dana Asbridge. She was great to stay with, and shopping with her was so much fun!

Kathy Sabine from 9News and I before the parade

Best Pink Award

I then traveled to Cody, Wyoming to be on hand during the Cody Nite Rodeo PRCA show. Maury and Nikki Tate of Mo' Betta Rodeo are the stock contractors for the Cody Nite Rodeo, which is a rodeo held every night June 1-August 31 (expect during the Cody Stampede). Contestants for the Nite Rodeo do not have to have their PRCA card or permit. However, to be eligible to have stock at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the Tates had to hold a PRCA rodeo. They asked me to be apart of the weekend, so I loaded up and headed north, in the rain. When I got to Cody, I learned that the rodeo that night was cancelled due to the pouring rain and mud hole the arena had become. The next morning the tractors and trucks were at the arena digging out the mud, and replacing the mud with dry dirt. The rodeo that night went off without a hitch, well except for me crying in the middle of the arena during the National Anthem holding the American Flag. This is the arena that helped mold my desire for being Miss Rodeo Wyoming, and to be there holding the most beautiful flag as Miss Rodeo Wyoming, I knew my dream came true!

Glad I don't need this kind of equipment to clean my room!

The mud is all gone! But so is the dirt!!!

My first two trips went so well I decided to take a long test run, this time, I combined two trips into one! I started the biathlon with a trip to North Platte, Nebraska. I joined 11 other state rodeo queens for the Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant, NebraskaLAND Days, and one performance of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. We started the week with horsemanship and the pageant BBQ. After the BBQ we had a stick horse ranch rodeo. I'm proud to say, my team won! Day two was started with a brief sponsorship tour followed by the Kid's Parade. We walked with hundred of children dressed up in costumes. After the parade and signing enough autographs for everyone, we toured the Golden Spike Center. I learned alot about the railroad which was pretty cool since my dad worked for years with the railroad. After more autograph signings we had an evening on the lake. It was great to relax and get to know the other girls, the contestants, the judges, and the committee. Day three was just as busy as day two! After having our donated Starbucks Coffee, we signed autographs at one of the banks, ate KFC, then had a practice for the style show to be held that night. Before we could get ready for the show, we had two more autograph signings. And in true rodeo queen tradition, we signed autographs at Walmart. The style Show that night was a blast. The state queens modeled dresses and danced with the contestants. We started day four with the queen speeches and crowning of the new teen queen. The state queens were escorted by some of the little queens. We rounded out the last day in North Platte with more autograph signings, bowling, and the rodeo. We watched as Sierra Patterson was crowned Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2012. Thank you to Sue and Corby for being wonderful hosts and to the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association and Pageant Committee for letting us join in on the fun!

Stick Horse Ranch Rodeo- Dressing Race

Stick Horse Ranch Rodeo- Rescue Race

Stick Horse Ranch Rodeo- Water in a Cup with Holes Race

The winning team and the plaque!

A night at the lake.

The bus the drove us around!

Miss Taylor joined us in North Platte (Actually Laurie was a judge, so Taylor was there too!)

Wyoming Flag at the Golden Spike Center

How many rodeo queens can you fit in the kiddie Farris Wheel in the city park?

My escorts for the speeches

My Host home!

My pit stop after Nebraska was a three hour visit to my home. It was enough time to unpack, repack, and hug my dog! I then set north for Casper to serve as a judge for the Lil' Miss Wyoming pageant. I was joined by three other judges, Mrs. Wyoming Galaxy 2011, Sager Rhodes, and Jenny Martoligo, and we had the near impossible task of judging girls 3-15. It was so hard, but a learning experience! I know have a whole new respect for judges! The girls were all so cute and funny! I was honored to be apart of that pageant. Congratulations to the new royalty and I'm looking forward to seeing them this summer around Wyoming. On my way back from Casper, I was just leaving the quiet town of Rock River when I saw a bright while line against a dark blue sky. A TORNADO!! After I made sure I was safe, and pulled over to the side of the road, I grabbed my camera to got a shot of the last little column of white.Three of the royalty judges

One of the contestants and I at the Party In The USA Party!

The very end of a tornado (It's right in the middle going like / )

I have returned home, my racing boots are on, and I'm ready for the gun to go off! I will make the turns on the track from Casper, to Thermopolis, to Walden, Colorado, to Cody, to Laramie, to Sheridan, to Cheyenne, to Rock Springs. Yes, I am ready for my race!