Miss Rodeo America: Latest News Releases
The latest news releases from the Miss Rodeo America Organization are found here, with older news releases, archived by year, are found on the News Release Archives page.
Reata Ranch Gear partners with Miss Rodeo America Inc.
PUEBLO, Colo. (July 5, 2010) — Miss Rodeo America Inc. has entered into an agreement with Reata Ranch Gear. Reata Ranch Gear is an emerging fashion accessory company from Granbury, Texas.
Reata Ranch produces a line of ‘bling’ sunglasses and cell phone covers. Reata Ranch Gear will provide Miss Rodeo America a full wardrobe of sunglasses and a selection of designer cell phone covers in addition, each Miss Rodeo America Pageant contestant will be given a pair of sunglasses.
“This partnership gives our brand new company a level of recognition that would take years to acquire without networking through Miss Rodeo America.,” Sondra Wallace, co-founder of Reata Ranch Gear said.
Sondra Wallace and her daughter, Candyce Wescott, founded the company in 2009, their line debuted at the 2010 WESA Market in Denver where they met Miss Rodeo America 2010 Kelli Jackson. She has been traveling the country with her Reata Ranch sunglasses since.
"We’re looking forward to helping Reata Ranch Gear market their products and think it’s great that they understand the importance of utilizing a celebrity endorsee,” Raeana Wadhams, Miss Rodeo America Inc., Executive Director said.
For more information on Reata Ranch Gear you can visit www.reatarancheyewear.com
Miss Rodeo America Pageant Offers $48,500 in Scholarships
PUEBLO, Colo. (April 29, 2010) — The Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation Inc., board of directors approved additional funding to Miss Rodeo America Pageant scholarships, on April 16 at their meeting in Las Vegas. There is now $48,500 in scholarship funds available to Miss Rodeo America Pageant contestants.
The 2011 Miss Rodeo America scholarship has doubled, she will be awarded $20,000 with the additional options to receive $2,500 from Las Vegas Events if she attends UNLV and $1,000 from Absorbine if she pursues an animal science degree.
In addition funding was approved to ensure that every contestant placing in the top-ten would receive at least a $1,000 scholarship.
Other scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 are awarded in the categories of: horsemanship, personality, appearance, speech, photogenic, congeniality, written test, spirit award and original chaps award.
First through fourth runner-ups will be awarded $3,500, $3,000, $2,500 and $2,000 respectively.
“The Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation is very excited to be in a position to give an increase in scholarship money. The young women in this pageant are very deserving of all educational funds they can receive,“ Debbie Dilley, Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation President said. “The foundation is supported by very generous donors and members of the Miss Rodeo America organization who have made this possible.”
The Miss Rodeo America Pageant has been consistently awarding scholarships since the 1980s with the goal of enhancing educational opportunities for young women. In 1998 the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation was officially registered and shortly after received it’s 501 (c) (3) educational foundation status. Wrangler provided the initial seed money to start the foundation and has since supported its endeavors.
“I am thrilled about the increase in scholarship awards at the 2011 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. Countless former Miss Rodeo America Pageant contestants have benefited from the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation scholarship awards, and I appreciate the Scholarship Foundation's continued commitment to expanding the scholarship opportunities for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant finalists and Miss Rodeo America. “ Kelli Jackson, Miss Rodeo America 2010 said.
Miss Rodeo America Inc., is the organizing body of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, which is held in conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The 2011 Miss Rodeo America pageant will be held at The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Nov. 29 – Dec. 4, 2010. Nearly 30 young ladies will be vying for the title of Miss Rodeo America 2011, where they will be judged on horsemanship, personality, appearance, rodeo knowledge and presentation.
First Mississippian crowned Miss Rodeo America
LAS VEGAS (Dec. 5, 2009) — The results are in and the next Miss Rodeo America has been crowned. The 2010 leading lady of professional rodeo is Kelli Jackson of Eupora, Miss. Jackson is the first Miss Rodeo Mississippi to achieve the title of Miss Rodeo America. During the next year, she will travel more than 100,000 miles representing Miss Rodeo America, Inc. and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
“I am an enthusiastic rodeo fan and spirited competitor; the sport of rodeo encompasses not only my dreams, but also my passion. As Miss Rodeo America, I will offer a welcoming glimpse of the western lifestyle and the sport of rodeo to our nation,” Jackson said.
Miss Rodeo America 2009, Maegan Ridley, of Alta Loma, Calif., will fulfill her duties at the 51st anniversary of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Jackson will be introduced as the 2010 Miss Rodeo America at the 4th performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. She will begin making appearances at rodeos across the country in January.
In a press conference following her coronation Kelli thanked her family for encouraging her to dare to dream and believing in her.
“My family provided a strong foundation and it’s all of you have taught me to fly,” Kelli said in reference to her supporters.
Aside from her rodeo interests, Jackson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from Wheaton College. Her goal is to obtain a Master’s Degree in Public Policy with an Agricultural Development Focus from Duke University. Jackson will be able to put to good use, the $10,000 educational scholarship she will receive at the completion of her reign.
Jackson was also awarded a wardrobe of Wrangler Jeans, 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 nearly $40,000 in scholarships at the 2010 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. In addition to the $10,000 Miss Rodeo America scholarship, Jackson also received an additional $3,500 in scholarships for winning the speech award, personality category and appearance category.
Jackson is looking forward to seeing all aspects of rodeo while traveling across the country as Miss Rodeo America 2010. “I’m looking forward to promoting professional rodeo and the Miss Rodeo America organization in its entirety from coast to coast,” she said.
Below is a complete listing of awards presented at the 2010 Miss Rodeo America Pageant.
2010 Miss Rodeo America Pageant Award Winners Miss Rodeo America 2010 – Kelli Jackson from Eupora, Miss.; First Runner-up – Freya Ford, Miss Rodeo Idaho from Sandpoint, Idaho; Second Runner-up – Courtney Smith, Miss Rodeo South Dakota from Rapid City, S.D.; Third Runner-up – Taryn Brady, Miss Rodeo Arizona from Mesa, Ariz.; Fourth Runner-up – Amber Dell, Miss Rodeo Tennessee from Franklin, Tenn.
REGIOINAL AWARDS:
Western Region Scholarship – Allie Bass, Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Sheridan, Wyo.
Central Region Scholarship – Jenna Johnson, Miss Rodeo Minnesota, Willmar, Minn. Eastern
Region Scholarship – Charla Wacker, Miss Rodeo Virginia, Lovettsville, Va.
CATEGORY AWARDS: Appearance – Kelli Jackson, Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Eupora, Miss. Personality – Kelli Jackson, Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Eupora, Miss. Horsemanship – Allie Bass, Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Sheridan, Wyo. Speech – Kelli Jackson, Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Eupora, Miss. Photogenic – Taryn Brady, Miss Rodeo Arizona, Mesa, Ariz. Rodeo Knowledge Written Test – Ashley Hoffmann Miss Rodeo California, Salinas, Calif.
OTHER AWARDS:
Congeniality – Eileen Lenzner, Miss Rodeo Wisconsin, Wausau, Wis.; Raeana Wadhams Spirit Award – Allie Bass, Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Sheridan, Wyo;. Original Chaps Award – Courtney Smith, Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Rapid City, S.D;. Achievement Award (most funds raised for the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation Drawing) – Victoria Jeffcoat, Miss Rodeo Alabama, Tallassee, Ala.
In Addition, Jessinta Hammer, Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Kathryn, N.D., was awarded a “Special Congeniality” award. Hammer was recently diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease and was not able to attend the Pageant.
Winner of the People’s Choice Text Voting Award was Brooklynn Chester, Miss Rodeo New Mexico, Las Cruces, NM.
$1,000 Random Scholarship Winners: Meredith Holland, Miss Rodeo Kansas, Manhattan, Kan.; Andrea Lynch, Miss Rodeo Nevada, Reno, Nev.; Amy Amack, Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Chadron, Neb.; and Brooklynn Chester, Miss Rodeo New Mexico, Las Cruces, N.M.
Scrapbook Awards: 1st Place – Jenna Johnson, Miss Rodeo Minnesota; 2nd Place Courtney Smith, Miss Rodeo South Dakota; 3rd Place Amber Dell, Miss Rodeo Tennessee; and 4th Place Kelli Jackson, Miss Rodeo Mississippi.
Contact: DeAnna Power, Office Manager 719-948-9206 or 719-568-2694 cell
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.
