2008 ARCHIVES

Dec. 8, 2007— The winner of the 53rd Annual Miss Rodeo America Pageant has emerged from a field of 27 fabulous contestants. Coming from the land of Oz, Miss Rodeo America 2008 is Amy Wilson, formerly Miss Rodeo Kansas 2007. She was crowned Saturday afternoon, Dec. 8, 2007 at The Orleans Hotel showroom by Ashley Andrews, Miss Rodeo America 2007.

There has only been one other contestant from Kansas ever to win the title of Miss Rodeo America. That was Diana Putnam Friend, Miss Rodeo Kansas 1979. She held the title Miss Rodeo America 1980.

A statuesque beauty at 5’8”, Miss Wilson has blonde hair, blue eyes and an all-American smile. She is the 21-year-old daughter of Lonnie and Lori Wilson, and the sister of five siblings including Kayla, Brenda, Sally, Dana and Brent. They are residents of Colby, KS.

The new Miss Rodeo America will be introduced on horseback at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) Sunday evening, Dec. 9, 2007 at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas.

Miss Rodeo America 2007, Ashley Andrews of Bowman, ND, will fulfill her role as the first lady of professional rodeo by appearing at the 2007 Wrangler NFR throughout the remainder of the week. The 49th annual Wrangler NFR runs daily now through Dec. 15, 2007.

Upon the conclusion of the Wrangler NFR, Miss Rodeo America 2008 will kick off her yearlong reign of service representing and promoting the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) worldwide by appearing first at the Denver Western Wear Market and World Championship reception at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO., both events in January.

Among her awards is a $10,000 educational scholarship to the college or university of her choice, a wardrobe of Wrangler Jeans, Justin Boots, Bailey Hats, a silver trimmed saddle by Court’s Saddlery, her official Miss Rodeo America trophy buckle from Montana Silversmiths, and she will wear the uniquely designed Black Hills Gold tiara, provided by Landstrom’s Original Black Hills Gold Creations. These items, along with a multitude of other valuable and exquisite prizes will be presented to her throughout the year.

First runner up to Miss Rodeo America 2008 is Miss Rodeo Arizona 2007 – Katie Hill of Prescott, AZ.

Second runner up to Miss Rodeo America 2008 is Miss Rodeo Oklahoma 2007 – Lauren Holt of Pauls Valley, OK.

Third runner up to Miss Rodeo America 2008 is Miss Rodeo Texas 2007 – Alyssa Plackemeier of Friendswood, TX

Fourth Runner up to Miss Rodeo America 2008 is Miss Rodeo Colorado 2007—Amy Jo Fields of Falcon, CO.

The Eastern Regional Scholarship Award winner is Miss Rodeo Alabama 2007 -- Lindsay Glaze of Montgomery, AL.

The Central Regional Scholarship Award winner is Miss Rodeo Iowa 2007 -- Amanda Eason of Kelley, IA.

The Western Regional Scholarship Award winner is Miss Rodeo California 2007 -- Kadee Coffman of Fresno, CA.

The Horsemanship Award winner is Miss Rodeo Arizona 2007, Katie Hill of Prescott, AZ.

The Personality Award winner is Miss Rodeo Kansas 2007, Amy Wilson of Colby, KS.

The Appearance Award winner is Miss Rodeo Kansas 2007, Amy Wilson of Colby, KS.

The Photogenic Award winner is Miss Rodeo Kansas 2007, Amy Wilson of Colby, KS.

The Speech Award winner is Miss Rodeo Kansas 2007, Amy Wilson of Colby, KS.

The Highest Test Score winner is Miss Rodeo Tennessee 2007, Ashley Beddingfield of Prospect, TN

The Congeniality Award winner is Miss Rodeo Hawaii 2007, Samantha Souza of Maui, HI.

Other top ten finalists in the 2008 Miss Rodeo America Pageant are (in random order):
--Miss Rodeo California 2007 Kadee Coffman of Fresno, CA.
--Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2007, Lacey Cole of Piedmont, SD.
--Miss Rodeo Montana 2007, Megan Hardy of Bozeman, MT.
--Miss Rodeo Iowa 2007, Amanda Eason of Kelley, IA.
--Miss Rodeo Washington 2007, Jesse Budd of Uniontown, WA.

Additional competitions were held in conjunction with the 2008 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. Best Scrapbook Award went to Miss Rodeo South Dakota. Second place went to Miss Rodeo Iowa. Third place went to Miss Rodeo Texas. Fourth place went to Miss Rodeo Missouri.

Also, the top sales achievement award went to Miss Rodeo Texas. This is based on sales of raffle tickets that benefit the MRA Scholarship Foundation. Miss Rodeo Texas Alyssa Plackemeier sold over $6,000 in raffle tickets.

The Raeana Wadhams "Spirit Award" went to Miss Rodeo Iowa, Amanda Eason of Kelley, IA. This award is given by the MRA Scholarship Foundation in honor of MRAP Executive Director Raeana Wadhams. It is recognition of a special contestant with particular focus, goals and drive.

Twenty-seven young ladies, representing their respective states, competed for the title of Miss Rodeo America 2008 during the weeklong pageant, which was showcased at The Orleans Hotel in America’s western city of lights Las Vegas, NV.

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

“I grew up on a ranch, riding horses and developed an appreciation for livestock,” said Miss Rodeo America 2008 Amy Wilson, in a media conference following the coronation ceremony.

"This lifestyle is something that has grown within me and I have a passion for it.

"I’ve enjoyed meeting so many great people during my reign as state queen and I’m looking forward to the new opportunities to meet an even larger circle of people on the road as Miss Rodeo America."

The new Miss Rodeo America will travel approximately 100,000 miles over the next year appearing at nearly 100 rodeo performances and special events. Primary sponsors of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant include Wrangler Jeans, Las Vegas Events, Inc., American Quarter Horse Association, Justin Boot Company, RAM, Bailey Hat Company, Montana Silversmiths, Absorbine, The Orleans Hotel, Landstrom’s Original Black Hills Gold Creations, Hobby Horse Clothing Company, Court’s Saddlery, Buck’s Bags, Chambers Belts, Morris Kaye & Sons and Stone Horses and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Masters of ceremonies were Tim Fuller of Oklahoma City, OK, and Bob Tallman of Weatherford, TX. Judges for the 2008 Miss Rodeo America Pageant were Annie Bianco Ellet of Cave Creek, AZ, Joy Murray of Stephenville, TX, Dee Oakeson of Herriman, UT, and Steve Stevens of Houston, TX.

For more information about the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, contact Raeana Wadhams, MRA Executive Director, at 719-948-9206 or write to 27906 Cumbres in Pueblo, CO 81006. Or, visit the Miss Rodeo America website at www.missrodeoamerica.com.

PUEBLO, Colo. – For 53 years, the Miss Rodeo America Pageant has hosted hundreds of beautiful and talented cowgirls from across the country. The hopefuls converge annually for a weeklong competition to select one deserving young woman to represent and promote America’s Original Professional Sport – rodeo.

This year, the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, Inc., welcomes 27 fabulous cowgirls, ages 19-25, to Las Vegas to compete for the prestigious title of Miss Rodeo America 2008. Each year a new Miss Rodeo America serves as the official spokesperson for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The pageant will be Saturday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 8, as a glamorous prelude to the famous Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the PRCA’s year-end championship event also held in Las Vegas in December.

Pageant activities are held at The Orleans Hotel & Casino, official sponsor and host hotel of the 2008 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. The horsemanship competition, Monday, Dec. 3, will be held at The South Point Equestrian and Event Center.

One highlight of the pageant is the midweek fashion show, held on Tuesday, Dec. 4 in the Mardi Gras Ballroom of The Orleans Hotel & Casino. The contestants model the latest fashions from Wrangler and a western elegance dress from their personal collection. This year’s theme for the fashion show is a celebration for Wrangler’s 60th birthday.

A complete pageant schedule of events and pageant ticket information can be found online at www.missrodeoamerica.com.

Miss Rodeo America 2007 Ashley Andrews of Bowman, ND, will crown her successor during a formal coronation ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, in The Orleans Showroom. A media conference with the newly crowned Miss Rodeo America 2008 will follow the ceremony at The Orleans Hotel & Casino. Andrews, has presided as Pro Rodeo’s 52nd Miss Rodeo America, she will relinquish her title and responsibilities to the 2008 Miss Rodeo America at the conclusion of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 6 through Dec.15, 2007, at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas.

Contestants vying for the 2008 Miss Rodeo America title include Lindsey Glaze of Montgomery, Ala.; Katie Hill of Prescott, Ariz.; Brittany Sing of Branch, Ark.; Kadee Coffman of Sanger, Calif.; Amy Jo Fields of Peyton, Colo.; Heather Mills of Live Oak, Fla.; Samantha Souza of Nakawau, Hawaii; Morgan Anselmi of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Kelsea Walker of Cisne, Ill.; Amanda Eason of Kelley, Iowa; Amy Wilson of Colby, Kan.; Kaytie Zuidema of Hopkins, Mich.; Cori Keyes of Edwards, Miss.; Melissa Houttuin of Hallsville, Mo.; Megan Hardy of Bozeman, Mont.; Erin Robbins of Burwell, Neb.; Jeanette Bye of Reno, Nev.; Ashlee Stallings of Clovis, N.M.; Lauren Holt of Pauls Valley, Okla.; Jennifer Steffen of Silverton, Ore.; Lacey Cole of Piedmont, S.D.; Ashley Beddingfield of Prospect, Tenn.; Alyssa Plackemeier of Friendswood, Texas; Jenna Whitaker of Kaysville, Utah; Jesse Budd of Uniontown, Wash.; Chelsea Strama of Medford, Wis.; and Crystal Rivers of Riverton, Wyo.

These young women are in the home stretch of their race to Las Vegas. In addition to serving their respective states during the year as spokespersons for Pro Rodeo, they have been preparing diligently for months to represent their state at the 2008 Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

Contestants are judged in the major categories of personality, appearance and horsemanship. Each contestant will demonstrate her skills in public speaking, personal interviewing, horsemanship, knowledge of rodeo and general equine science, current event awareness, photogenic qualities, visual poise and overall professionalism.

The primary role of Miss Rodeo America is to promote the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and America’s Western heritage. She is a liaison between the rodeo fans and Pro Rodeo producers, sponsors and contestants. She is an ambassador to the young rodeo fans and participants of the future. In her role as Miss Rodeo America, the new queen will travel extensively representing rodeo via many public appearances at rodeo performances, special events, schools and civic groups.

She will take on the role of model and spokesperson in a variety of promotional events and commercial advertisements for western clothiers, publications, sponsors and other service providers to the western industry.

Over the 53-year history of the pageant, thousands of dollars have been awarded in educational scholarships to young women for their contributions to the sport of Pro Rodeo through the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation. Today, over $30,000 in educational scholarships is dispersed to the overall and category winners of the pageant annually.

Additionally, Miss Rodeo America and her court win many prizes, made possible by the generous sponsors of the pageant.

National corporate sponsors of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant include: Wrangler Jeans and Shirts, Las Vegas Events, The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Absorbine, Montana Silversmiths, Justin Boots, Bailey Hats, RAM Trucks, The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Landstrom’s Original Black Hills Gold Creations, Court’s Saddlery, Chambers Belts, Hobby Horse Clothing Company, Bonefrog Creative, Morris Kaye & Sons, Buck’s Bags and Stone Horses.

For more information about the Miss Rodeo America Pageant or the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation, please visit www.missrodeoamerica.com. Or, contact the Miss Rodeo America Pageant office at 27906 Cumbres in Pueblo, CO 81006 or by phone 719-948-9206.

Media relations information can be obtained by visiting www.missrodeoamerica.com and clicking the Media Information link, or email requests to rodeotenn@aol.com. Deadline for independent and foreign media credential request is Nov. 1, 2007.