Hello Wyoming!

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone is as excited about 2011 as I am! As I sat watching the glass ball in New York City drop, I realized that not only was I counting down to 2011, but I was counting down to the start of my dream come true!! Earlier that night I had the honor of helping the Laramie Jubilee Days committee and royalty at their New Year's Eve Fall Brawl rough stock rodeo. Holly, Pam, Tabitha and I helped with a dice game to win a couple Polaris "toys". We also were honored to carry in the flags for the opening. As I stood at the gate waiting for my name to be called, I forgot that they were calling me when I heard "Carrying the Wyoming state flag is Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2011." I had to wait to hear my name to know they were for sure calling me into the arena. It was a great experience standing in the arena knowing I stood before my community as Miss Rodeo Wyoming.

I want to thank Erin Heffron for doing such an amazing job this past year as Miss Rodeo Wyoming. She always had a smile on her face and was grateful for everything. She took this title to a new level, and I hope that I can carry on her enthusiasm and charisma. Thank you Erin for being such an honest and wholesome role-model!

This year is going to be one in a million and I am excited to make my way to Denver for the National Western Stock Show. I already have goosebumps thinking about what it will be like riding into the arena on a horse provided by Cervi Championship Rodeo .

Thank you Wyoming for believing in me! Let's Saddle up and ride on!

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

Horsing Around!

Day two of the Miss Rodeo America pageant has come to an end. Erin started the morning with breakfast at the French Market in The Orleans Hotel and Casino. Afterward the contestants were bused to the South Point Hotel and Casino for two rounds of horsemanship. Erin was the 14^th contestant to ride a horse performing a set pattern. She rode a black little horse that allowed her to show her horsemanship. Once all the girls rode the set pattern, they were then able to ride a draw horse and perform a freestyle pattern of their choice. The requirements were that they had 90 seconds and the pattern had to end with a “queen’s wave” around the outside of the arena. Erin did an amazing job on her draw horse! She made her mom and dad so proud handling the horses. I should mention that the horses used for the horsemanship portion of the contest were borrowed from stock contractors, so they were not easy to ride!

After eating lunch at the South Point, Erin and the other contestants returned to The Orleans for some more dance practice the rest of the afternoon. We then joined the girls at the Cowgirl Kickoff party last night. We were able to eat with Erin and talk with her about how she was feeling. She is having a blast and said that she is so happy to be here representing Wyoming. She is keeping her energy up through all the events and always has a smile on her face. All the contestants brought in their state flag during the party and then were asked to explain their outfit they were wearing that night. Erin was first in line to explain her jacket. She looked amazing in her jacket made by Janelle Baldwin depicting images that make Wyoming a state to remember. The party ended with a dance and I have to say each girl can dance extremely well! The girls then headed to an hour and half more of dance practice for the fashion show and coronation later this week.

Today Erin will be attending the President’s Breakfast, have her personality interview, taking photogenic picture, and having dinner at Billy Bob’s Steak House in Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino. Any down time today will be used for, you guessed it, more dance practice. Again, I want to encourage everyone to send in their text to vote Erin for People’s Choice award! If you have a message you would like to send to Erin, email it to missrodeopageant@yahoo.com and put “Wyoming” in the subject line. John Shooter has been taking pictures of the events and is posting them at www.shooterenterprises.com. Click the “online images” at the bottom of the screen.

As Erin said last night, “God Bless Wyoming!”

Brittany Richards

A Bright Day In Orange!

Erin started the Miss Rodeo America pageant yesterday in Las Vegas, Nevada wearing one of her favorite colors, orange!. The morning started with the contestants gathering by the showroom in The Orleans hotel. Once all 28 contestants arrived, we worked our way into the showroom so that each state representative could receive their sash and be introduced to the crowd. Erin had to wait until the very end to receive her sash since Wyoming is the last state listed alphabetically. Erin was very patient and looked confident and comfortable on stage. One their sash was in place, they then went backstage to tape their media interviews. These interviews will be viewed and judged after the contestants present their speech later this week. After the media interviews were finished, the official orientation began. We were introduced to the judges who have the hard task of judging these 28 girls this week, along with the association members of the Miss Rodeo America (MRA) organization. Each girl introduced themselves followed by Miss Rodeo America 2010, Kelli Jackson, asking them a question based on the applications they submitted. Erin answered her question with assurance and made “Team Wyoming” proud! Once Tracy Damrell, MRA President, dismissed the contestants, we helped move Erin into her hotel room. She will be sharing a room this week with Miss Rodeo Wisconsin. According to the schedule, Erin spent the rest of the afternoon trying on the clothes donated to each contestant from Wrangler, which they will wear during the Fashion Show and Coronation dance routines; along with learning the routines which they will perform on Wednesday and Saturday. Erin also took her written test and had the Foundation Dinner. The dinner was closed to the public but I am sure she had a wonderful time.

Today, Erin will be competing in the horsemanship portion of the competition, rehearsing for the Fashion Show and Coronation, and then relaxing at the Get Acquainted party later tonight.

Make sure to check out pageant pictures on John Shooter’s website, www.shooterenterprises.com. He is the official photographer for the MRA pageant and has taken many photos already! MRA also has a pageant blog and can be found on the MRA website, www.missrodeo.com. Make sure to text your vote for Erin for the People’s Choice Award. Information on how to do that can be found on the MRA website, along with information on how to send her a good luck message, or even flowers!!

Erin has a long but exciting six days in front of her. I am hoping to be able to post updates daily, but please bear with me! Thank you on behalf of Erin for the wishes, love, and prays this week!

Brittany Richards

Thanksgiving

Dear Wyoming,

Thanksgiving Day: A day to give thanks to all those who made my year possible, a day to spend with family eating so much turkey, I might not fit into my leather dresses…AND, the day before I leave for Las Vagas!! I can’t believe a year has gone by since I watched Allie compete!! This is IT!!

What an incredible year, filled with new people, fond memories and countless stories for years to come! It will be a year that I will look back at my entire life with fondness and gratitude for the blessings that have come my way! I am thankful for the opportunity to touch people’s lives and grateful for those who reached out and touched my heart.

Best of luck to all of the State Queens that I will soon see in the City of Lights! Although I wont have the ability to keep everyone updated, I have asked Brittany Richards to update the blog during the pageant!

Thank you all and God Bless Wyoming!!

Erin Heffron