Miss Rodeo America 2011

Many of you may recall that Natalie Adams, the character for my second book, Seeds of Summer, was a rodeo queen. Because of that and all the research I did on the Miss Rodeo America pageant, I like to keep up with the current MRA activities. Here's this year's queen announcement.


MCKENZIE HALEY CROWNED MISS RODEO AMERICA 2011


LAS VEGAS, Nevada. (Dec 4, 2010) — The results are in and the next Miss Rodeo America has been crowned. The 2011 leading lady of professional rodeo is McKenzie Haley, of Colome, South Dakota.


Haley served as Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2010, and during the next year, she will travel more than 100,000 miles representing Miss Rodeo America, Inc. and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Haley was introduced as the 2011 Miss Rodeo America at the 4th performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. She will begin making appearances at rodeos across the country in January.


Aside from her rodeo interests, Haley is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Her further educational goals are to obtain a Master’s degree in School Psychology. Haley will be able to put to good use the $20,000 educational scholarship she will receive at the completion of her reign.


Haley was also awarded a wardrobe of Wrangler jeans and shirts, Justin boots, Bailey hats, fully tooled Court’s Saddle with custom Miss Rodeo America conchos and an official Miss Rodeo America trophy buckle from Montana Silversmiths. Accompanying the perpetual Miss Rodeo America tiara made by Landstrom’s original Black Hills Gold Creations she was given a wardrobe of matching jewelry. These items, along with a multitude of other valuable and exquisite prizes will be presented to her throughout the year.


Contestants were judged in the major categories of horsemanship, personality, and appearance, competing in the areas of public speaking, personal interviews, modeling, photogenic and rodeo/equine knowledge.


Contestants were eligible for $50,000 in scholarships at the 2011 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. In addition to the $20,000 Miss Rodeo America scholarship, Haley was also awarded the Appearance category, including $1,500 scholarship and a pair of hand crafted spurs; the Personality category, including $1,500 scholarship; Photogenic category, including $1,000 scholarship and a custom etched glass photo frame; Speech category, including $1,000 scholarship; 2nd place in the scrapbook award, including $500 cash award.


McKenzie is looking forward to seeing all aspects of rodeo while traveling across the country as Miss Rodeo America 2011. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. Miss Rodeo America has the opportunity to touch the lives of current and future rodeo fans, to be a source of information about rodeo and the western lifestyle, and to be a role-model for young people across the country”.

Miss Rodeo America, Inc. – an organization developed in 1955 striving to provide a quality Miss Rodeo America competition, enrich the lives of contestants and each year select a qualified young lady as Miss Rodeo America to serve as a goodwill ambassador promoting the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Western traditions. Learn more at http://www.missrodeoamerica.com./