MRA Hall of Fame

Members of the Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame

Saturday, August 13, 1955 marked the first Miss Rodeo America Pageant, beginning over a half-century worth of tradition. The Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame honors exceptional individuals and groups who have contributed to the success of the Miss Rodeo America organization, pageant and its perpetuation.

The Miss Rodeo America organization is a tradition etched in the history of professional rodeo and the western life style. Created and produced by a group of volunteers who annually give of their time, talent and effort, those chosen for the Hall of Fame may be representatives of both the competitive and cooperative spirit of 50+ years of Miss Rodeo America.

As part of Miss Rodeo America’s 50th Anniversary celebration, December 1, 2004 marked the first inductions into the Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame. Inaugural inductees were Mr. Bill Hervey from Greensboro, NC and Mrs. Arlene Kensinger from Cheyenne, WY. Since it's inception, the Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame has welcomed 18 inductees.

2019 Inductees

Mardee Swanson calls North Platte, Nebraska home. But, she and her late husband, Swede, farm and ranched for nearly 40 years in the small community of Hershey, Nebraska.
Mardee is a charter member of the Velvet Spurs Riding club, a ladies’ riding and drill group, which celebrated their 50th anniversary last year. Being involved in many events of Nebraska's state celebration since its beginning 51 years ago, Mardee was asked to join the NEBRASKAland Days Board of Directors in 1990. She served a term of four years and was elected President of the board her last year. Over the years Mardee has been given many awards and honors for her involvement with the Velvet Spurs and NEBRASKAland Days.
She became a member of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Queen Committee in the early 1980's and joined MRAI in 1991 where she was a National Advisory Council member. In 1992, she helped form the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association and served as their National Director to MRAI for ten years. She served in many capacities with MRNA including being President and the Scholarship Committee Chair. Mardee completed her sixth year on the MRAI Executive Board in December 2018. She has served or chaired many of the MRA Pageant committees over the years. She is no stranger to judging rodeo queen pageants having judged several state pageants including ID, KS, MT, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY and the National High Rodeo Queen Contest two times. Mardee truly enjoys working with rodeo queens and would love to see more contests held and more girls become involved on the state level. Rodeo has always been a big part of her life as her husband, Swede, steer wrestled for many years. He was a member of the PRCA since 1973 and a Gold Card member. Mardee barrel raced for several years as the whole family traveled the rodeo trail. Her son, Shane, competed in steer wrestling and calf roping in High School Rodeo and continued for several years traveling with his Dad. She loves to read, travel, cook and spend time with her children and grandchildren who live in Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska and Georgia.

Tracy Damrell got his introduction into the rodeo queen world in 1997 when he joined the Miss Rodeo Colorado Committee and within a short period of time was deeply involved in the Miss Rodeo America Organization. Colorado selected him as their National Director to MRAI from 2001 to 2006.He continues to support the MRC Pageant as a Turquoise Club member and helping out where he is asked. He has served on many of the MRA Pageant committees starting with hanging banners and signs to working with the judges during the pageant. Tracy served on the MRAI Executive Board for 12 years starting in 2003.He served as MRAI President from 2007 through 2012.During that time he helped guide the pageant move from the Orleans to it’s long time home at the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. For the past two years, Tracy has stepped into a new role serving as the official pageant emcee. He was made a Gold Member of MRAI at the conclusion of his time on the Executive Board.Always willing to help-out and pitch in wherever and whenever needed, his dedication to the Miss Rodeo America organization has been a consistent force over the last 18 years and it continues to this day.Tracy is the Senior Manager of Sports Medicine for Banner Health / North Colorado Medical Center and the Director of Sports Medicine for the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley .He has also been a 30+ year volunteer and program associate for the Justin Sports Medicine Team assisting with sports medicine coverage for PRCA cowboys at rodeos in Colorado.His wife Barbara was a 25+ year member of the MRC Executive Committee and now serves as a chaperone for the MRC Pageant. She is also a NAC member of MRAI.

2017 Inductees

KIKI SHUMWAY has been involved in virtually every aspect of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant and program for many years. She has been the long-time producer of the Fashion Show at the MRA Pageant each December, but that is only a small part of the list of her contributions to MRA and to all of the young women who compete for the crown. Kiki’s roots in the rodeo queen world go back to her home state of Washington where she was a volunteer, contributor and past President for the Miss Rodeo Washington Pageant. During her years of involvement with MRAI she has helped with virtually every pageant committee and has served on the MRAI Executive Board for fourteen years. She served as President from 2005 to 2006 and was elected again in 2016 and continues as the current MRAI President. It is difficult to imagine anyone with more dedication or who has contributed more effort, energy, and unparalleled leadership to Miss Rodeo America than Kiki Shumway. She is a wonderful example for all of our volunteers and supporters. Her induction into the Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame is a fitting recognition of her contributions and the legacy she continues to build for the Miss Rodeo America family.

Fashioning excellence with silver artistry of the American West, MONTANA SILVERSMITHS sets the gold and silver standard for authenticity and quality. From the crafting of Montana Silversmiths first buckle in 1973 to becoming the ‘Brand of Champions® and the jewelry for that Montana Moment. Montana Silversmiths takes great pride in the connections that exist between our products and our customers. These treasured Montana Moments that are celebrated with jewelry and buckles are usually to some of the most important life events, personal milestones, love stories or championship wins. Over the past 45 years Montana Silversmiths has pioneered the development of western fashion in jewelry and buckles and today continues to open new frontiers in design through innovation, creativity and the creation of world class product. We look forward to the future, in creating and strengthening relationships and exploring new frontiers in
innovation, continuing as Montana Silversmiths® the leader by design.

2016 Inductees

JUSTIN BOOTS is the "official footwear" company of Miss Rodeo America, Inc. The JUSTIN BOOT COMPANY provides financial support to the business operations of the Miss Rodeo America Organization and co-sponsors Miss Rodeo America's color autograph pictures. Additionally, the JUSTIN BOOT COMPANY provides each contestant competing in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant a pair of JUSTIN BOOTS. A wardrobe of JUSTIN BOOTS is given to the reigning Miss Rodeo America and gift certificates are awarded to her runner-up’s. JUSTIN BOOTS has shown their loyalty to MRAI for 25 plus years.

COURT’S SADDLERY plays an instrumental part in the horsemanship competition of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. Each year, COURT'S SADDLERY provides identical saddles to the Pageant for use during the horsemanship competition. Additionally, COURT'S SADDLERY awards a beautiful COURT'S SADDLE to the newly crowned Miss Rodeo America. Founded by Tony and Zella Court in 1956, the company began making leather products, and in 1968 started the production of saddles. They continue to operate as a family business now in the 2nd and 3rd generations. Today, Jimmy and Kathy are at the helm of this family run company. They are one of our oldest continuous sponsors never asking for asking for anything in return.

2015 Inductees

Lolly Klug

Lolly Klug is currently a Gold Member of the National Advisory Council and has attended every pageant as a volunteer since 1996. If you want to know the definition of “volunteer” just watch Lolly during the pageant. Always having a smile on her face and greeting each parent with a friendly “Hello”, she was the perfect representative to welcome them to the pageant. In the most recent years, you will find her working in the Scholarship Foundation Rose Booth, creating memorable arrangements for the contestants.

Tom House

Tom House has been a supporter of Miss Rodeo America Inc. for more than 30 years. He was responsible for the first publication of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant souvenir program and continued that process until 1990 when the publication process was moved in-house and became a part of the business office operation. Tom is owner of Video II Productions and for many years has provided video services to the Miss Rodeo America Pageant as well as Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Pageant and the Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant.

2014 Inductee

Dallas Hunt George

Dallas Hunt George reined as Miss Rodeo Nebraska 1956 and was selected as Miss Rodeo America 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. She is currently an MRA Gold member and has attended every Miss Rodeo America Pageant as a volunteer since 1996. Dallas can be seen throughout the pageant assisting with pageant sales and at all events selling programs and acting as an ambassador for everyone who attends the pageant.

2013 Inductees

Sherry Smith

Sherry Smith was a much beloved member of the Miss Rodeo America family until her untimely passing in 2012.
Sherry was an icon from the Wrangler company who started her association with MRA as a friend from Wrangler 25 years ago but quickly became a close member of the family. She served two terms on the Executive Board and helped on any committee or assignment she was asked to.
Most recently her duties were to be the chaperone and scheduling coordinator for Miss Rodeo America during and after the pageant. Her love for the program continues with her family today.

Marjorie Murphy

Marjorie Murphy has been a fixture within the Miss Rodeo America Organization for more than 30 years having held nearly every position of leadership at one time or another.
In addition to guiding the Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant into the successful pageant and program it is today all the while serving as the National Director from Texas to Miss Rodeo America.
She has served on the Executive Board of Miss Rodeo America, Inc., the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation Board and was President of Miss Rodeo America, Inc. from 2001-2002.

2008 Inductee

WILMA FULGHAM

The 2008 inductee into the Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame is longtime, dedicated director from New Mexico, Wilma Fulgham.Wilma’s introduction to the rodeo queen world came in 1950 when she was crowned Queen of the New Mexico State Fair. Later, in 1954, she was named Mrs. Clovis.For the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, Wilma has a special love and devotion. She has demonstrated her loyalty by representing the state of New Mexico as its National Director – more than 20 years. Wilma launched the Rodeo Royalty Resource Seminar several years ago at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant and it has grown to a very successful event for ladies-in-waiting and other current and future queens, helping them become better equipped to handle the titleholder duties.

2007 Inductee

Wrangler

Wrangler Celebrated 60 years of producing quality western wear in 2007. The Miss Rodeo America Pageant Fashion Show was a birthday party to celebrate the Wrangler legacy and welcome them into the Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame. Their loyal sponsorship of Miss Rodeo America began early in the pageant’s history and continues today. Wrangler provides an abundance of in-kind services to the reigning Miss Rodeo America and MRA Pageant contestants. They generosity extends beyond product. Wrangler was instrumental in establishing the MRA Scholarship foundation and financially contributes to both the foundation and Miss Rodeo America, Inc. annually.

2006 Inductees

Bob Tallman

Bob served on the Miss Rodeo America, Inc. Board of Directors in 1996, 97 & 98. He graciously provided his time and talent to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the coronation performance for many years. Bob has been inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and has been the PRCA Announcer of the year.

Wendell Hamilton

Wendell’s affiliation with the Miss Rodeo America Pageant dates back to the mid seventies when the pageant, as well as the National Finals Rodeo, was staged in Oklahoma City.
In 1981, Award Design Medals, Inc. of Noble, OK, painstakingly created a brass buckle commemorating the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. The die was then destroyed, rending the buckle a limited edition.
Wendell’s company designed and manufactured the Miss Rodeo America buckle as well as buckles for the runners up and other dignitaries affiliated with the pageant. Award Design Medals also made the first state delegate and National Advisory Council pins.

2005 Inductee

Valena Weick Dennis

Longtime Miss Rodeo America Pageant chaperone Mrs. Valena "Kay" Weick Dennis of Caldwell, ID, is the newest inductee into the Miss Rodeo America Pageant Hall of Fame. Over the years, she has become a much beloved team player among the 150 volunteers that produce the pageant annually. She was recognized two years ago for 25 years of service to the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

2004 Inductee

Bill Hervey

Many of us would not recognize the person by the name his mom called him "Billie Henry" we would know him as Mr. Wrangler himself or Mr. Bill Hervey. Mr. Hervey began working for Wrangler as a sales rep in Texas in 1957. In 1962 they relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina where he eventually become President of Wrangler Men's wear. In 1989 Mr. Hervey retired from Wrangler. Mr. Hervey recognized that while the support and the patronage of the cowboys was important to Wrangler it was equally important to have the first lady of professional rodeo outfitted in Wranglers. Mr. Hervey loves beautiful young women but he also wanted to make sure they were able to attain their educational dreams. Towards this goal he prompted Wrangler to give $30,000 to the Pageant in 1993. During this pageant these educational dollars were awarded to all contestants.

Arlene Kensinger

For many years Arlene has been an integral part of the Pageant holding the office of President in 1997-98, leading by example and being an inspiration to every volunteer who has worked with her. Arlene is "level headed", gives the best advice and is a great listener. Since 1984 she has held the position of Chaperone and Schedule Coordinator for each Miss Rodeo America during the Pageant and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Arlene has dedicated years to gathering information and then organizing the six priceless scrapbooks that preserve 50 years of Miss Rodeo America Pageant history. These books are on display this week and they exemplify her relentless effort to support the Pageant. Like a "true servant" Arlene's passion is giving to, helping with and promoting the "girls", the participants, of the Pageant. Arlene has been inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame.

How to Nominate an Inductee

Any person can submit a resume answering questions regarding their nominee.

The Hall of Fame Committee and Executive Board will make the final decision on Nominees/Inductees. There may or may not be an Inductee(s) each year.

Fill out the form below to nominate someone for the Hall of Fame.

Form must be submitted by March 1 to be considered for the current year inductions.

For additional information please feel free to contact the MRAI Office at mraioffice@missrodeoamerica.com

MRA Hall of Fame Nomination Form

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