Family has always been a longstanding tradition within the roots of rodeo and that family spirit was very evident at this year’s South Dakota Rodeo Association Finals in Rapid City. The SDRA is an outstanding association because all members of the family can compete. At this year’s finals we saw brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers all competing in the same arena. My family was also on hand to help with my final fundraising efforts before my trip to Las Vegas for the Miss Rodeo American Pageant. We held a small silent auction and the visiting queens were on hand to help sell 50/50 tickets. This year’s Cowboy Christmas during the Finals was a great success and I owe a huge thank you to Deb McPherson, Lonnie Harrowa, and the entire SDRA Board of Directors for including me in their special events at the SDRA Finals Rodeo.
New to the SDRA Finals this year was the South Dakota High School Rodeo Extravaganza, where each of South Dakota’s region’s top contestants competed for the Extravaganza title. During the weekend, I was honored to carry the American flag and help with the clearing of the arena for all the roping events. We also had the opportunity to ride in the wagon parade during the final performance. During the final performance I was honored to meet the first Miss Rodeo America, Marilyn Scott Freimark who was attending the rodeo watching her grandchildren.
I was proud to be with our rodeo family in my hometown for the SDRA Finals Rodeo as this marks my last rodeo appearance for the year before heading to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. All the words of encouragement and well wishes received from so many people will remain with me as I compete for the title of Miss Rodeo America and will empower me to make our South Dakota rodeo family proud.
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