Thursday morning, we again hurried down to the French Market buffet, and again Megan was dressed in jeans, so we knew that her speech would be Friday morning. That worked well for us, because more family and friends were arriving and would be able to attend the speeches on Friday morning.
The President's luncheon was held at noon at the Orleans. The contestants wore beautiful dresses of leather and came in carrying their state flag. What an honor for Megan to be able to represent the state of Montana. After a delicious lunch and introductions and awards to the many of those serving on the executive board of Miss Rodeo America, the girls were each asked a current events impromptu question. The questions covered a wide range - from politics to general ethics questions - and all were questions that could be answered easily by the contestants. If you are looking at the pictures, Megan wore a light green dress which was made for her by Julie Ewing. Each girl was presented with a beautiful Black Hills gold necklace from Landstrom's.
Horsemanship interviews and coronation rehearsals took up the rest of the day, until late afternoon when the contestants were treated to the first performance of the WNFR. We also attended the first evening's performance and what an experience! Although our seats were high in the Thomas & Mack, we had a great view of both the bucking chutes and the timed event end of the arena. I was amazed at the speed of the rodeo. It was non-stop action from beginning to end, and I don't think the announcers took a breathe the whole time! We had been told that the queen contestants could sit with their parents during the rodeo, but with the huge crowd most of us were not able to connect with our girls. After the rodeo, some of our group went out to the South Point to watch Flint Rasmussen present the night's go-round buckles.
Friday morning Megan gave her state speech. She did a fantastic job! Her taped interview was also very good. It was obvious that she had done that a few times already during her year! Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas convention center was the afternoon program. The crowd to bid on the auctions was standing-room-only and the girls had fun presenting their purses for bidding. Each contestant brought a purse filled with prizes to be auctioned, with proceeds going to the MRA scholarship fund. Offerings varied from sports packages (including rodeo of course) to ski trips to home cooked goodies. Afterwards, we got to spend a little time with Megan before she was whisked away for more coronation practice.
Saturday morning was the Mother-daughter breakfast at the French Market Buffet. The judges spoke to the girls and encouraged them to "swing for the fences" throughout the rest of their lives.
Coronation was held in the Showroom at the Orleans. The lights and stage decoration was impressive, and the girls did a choreographed dance before changing into their fancy dresses.
Each one was introduced and escorted down to the microphone by either Donny Gay or Dan Miller, where they introduced themselves and their parents. Bob Tallman said good-bye to Ashley and caused some tears as she did her final walk as Miss Rodeo America. Then it was time for the Top 10 contestants to be announced. What suspense! It was so exciting to hear Megan's name called and watch her walk down the stairs to take her place in the line-up! We were thrilled!!! It brought a tear to my eye to see Megan up there in that group! Top 5 was announced and then they gave the awards for each category. You'll have to look at the Miss Rodeo America website for all the results, because I don't remember everything. I was just focused on Megan as she received her buckle for Top 10! Miss Rodeo Kansas was crowned Miss Rodeo America 2008, with Miss Rodeo Arizona as first Runner-Up.
Afterwards the contestants raced back to their rooms to change and join their families. We managed to pull together some tables in the back of one of the restaurants and had a fun meal with 20+ members of our family and friends. It was the first time all week that Megan had been able to see everyone, so it was great! Thanks to everyone that attended the pageant and supported her. We really had a huge group of family and friends here throughout the week, and it made this a trip that we will remember for a lifetime. Many of the group toured Hoover Dam, attended various Las Vegas shows, ate fantastic meals, and lost our share in the casinos. And of course, everyone attended one or more performances of the WNFR.
What a wonderful week!!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
More from Miss Rodeo America Pageant
Hi,
Sunday was a big day for the contestants. They had their personality interviews, and 9 hours of practice for the Fashion Show. We were not able to see them at all during that day. I took the opportunity to attend the Cowboy Church service in the casino, which featured Trish Lennahan and her marvelous voice. Ashley Andrews gave an inspirational message on how her cancer had affected her faith.
Monday morning we went down to the French Market Buffet to have breakfast at 7 am - the same time as the girls eat. They all looked nice in their horsemanship outfits. Megan's outfit was a lime green leather shirt with lace and rhinestone overlays, along with the required matching Wranglers and boots.
The horsemanship contest was held in the South Point casino Equestrian Center, a large new arena on the south end of the Strip. The South Point hotel is also the host of the PRCA this year so there were a lot of cowboys milling around. Each girl drew a horse and performed a specified reining pattern. They were not allowed on the horses until they went in the arena, so it was really a test of adaptability as well as horsemanship. The horses were brought in by various stock contractors and were also being judged for an award. All were good horses, but some tested the girls when it came to lead changes and stops. Megan was in the middle of the draw, and had a big, slow sorrel horse that did pretty well for her. I think she is on page 8 in the pictures for this event. There was a short break and the girls started their second round on a different horse, with a free-style pattern and queen presentation run. Each girl could determine her own pattern, which should show off her mount's strongest points, and then each girl ran around the arena waving at the crowd. I'm sure the judges had a difficult job in this portion, because each girl had a different pattern. Megan was number 11 in this portion.
That afternoon the girls were allowed a little fun, as they visited the dolphin habitat at the Mirage. The evening was a Get Acquainted party where we were able to visit with the contestants a little, as well as with other parents and friends. After the party the girls had hours of rehearsal yet ahead of them before they could go to bed.
Tuesday was the PRCA luncheon back out at the South Point hotel. This is the luncheon where the girls wear their chap outfits, which usually consists of their chaps, matching wranglers, and a special shirt made to match their chaps. These outfits were very nice and very special to each girl. After we finished eating, and listening to an outstanding young singer, the contestants were each given a word associated with rodeo, and asked to tell the audience who, or what the word meant. These words were pretty basic, but still required a knowledge of rodeo, and the ability to express themselves in front of an audience.
Tuesday night was the Fashion Show, and what an extravaganza!!! We had a meal of steak and scalloped potatoes that was outstanding, and then we were entertained by Miss Rodeo America, Ashley Andrews, and two different singers. The contestants each danced in 3 different production numbers that they had been rehearsing all week, and I heard comments that these were the best dancers they had ever had!!! It was obvious that the girls were having fun with the dancing and the audience had fun with it too. Wrangler had provided clothing products for the girls for each of their numbers, and the theme of the evening was "Happy Birthday Wrangler". Vanessa and I made a restroom run during an intermission and guess who we ran into there??!!! Marilyn Monroe!! Yes, she was dolled up in a gold shimmery dress and putting on her gloves. Later in the evening, she came onstage to sing "Happy Birthday, Mr President" to the Wrangler president. You just never know who might drop in!
The fashion show was the grand finale to the evening. Each girl was introduced and escorted onstage, where they introduced themselves and modeled their dazzling western gowns. For those of you who had the opportunity to see Megan's fashion show gown during her Send-Off parties - it really worked onstage!!! The spotlights really lit up the 3000+ crystals on the dress and it looked fantastic!! After the show we had a few minutes with her to tell her how proud we were and then the girls (at 11:30 pm) went on to their next event, which was an ice cream social.
Wednesday morning we were sure to be at the French Market buffet for breakfast again, because that is the only way that we would know if she was giving her speech that day - she was wearing her black Rick Rageous jacket so we knew her speech wouldn't be that day. Contestants draw each evening for speech position the next morning, so parents don't know when their daughter will perform until they see them wearing their "speech dress". The girls were all getting a little tired by that point - 2 to 4 hours of sleep and non-stop activity is pretty wearing. The format this year includes a taped media interview which is shown after each contestant's speech. It's been very interesting to watch, and I think it's a useful addition to the pageant. Miss Rodeo America has to give many media interviews during her reign, and judging the contestant's ability to talk to the media has to be helpful in the selection process.
Wednesday at noon, was another new addition to the pageant - a father-daughter luncheon. Many of the fathers bought single roses for their daughters and presented them to the girls - a big hit as you can imagine!
Wednesday evening was a dinner with the judges at Billy Bob's steakhouse at Sam's Town. Although we couldn't sit with the girls, many of the parents ate there as well, and what an excellent meal!
So far this week has been great fun for all of us. I am amazed at the Miss Rodeo America organization and their ability to put an event of this complexity with their volunteer board members. The chaperones have the huge responsibility of these girls all week, making sure they are where they are supposed to be at the proper time, so they spend even longer hours than the contestants.
Sunday was a big day for the contestants. They had their personality interviews, and 9 hours of practice for the Fashion Show. We were not able to see them at all during that day. I took the opportunity to attend the Cowboy Church service in the casino, which featured Trish Lennahan and her marvelous voice. Ashley Andrews gave an inspirational message on how her cancer had affected her faith.
Monday morning we went down to the French Market Buffet to have breakfast at 7 am - the same time as the girls eat. They all looked nice in their horsemanship outfits. Megan's outfit was a lime green leather shirt with lace and rhinestone overlays, along with the required matching Wranglers and boots.
The horsemanship contest was held in the South Point casino Equestrian Center, a large new arena on the south end of the Strip. The South Point hotel is also the host of the PRCA this year so there were a lot of cowboys milling around. Each girl drew a horse and performed a specified reining pattern. They were not allowed on the horses until they went in the arena, so it was really a test of adaptability as well as horsemanship. The horses were brought in by various stock contractors and were also being judged for an award. All were good horses, but some tested the girls when it came to lead changes and stops. Megan was in the middle of the draw, and had a big, slow sorrel horse that did pretty well for her. I think she is on page 8 in the pictures for this event. There was a short break and the girls started their second round on a different horse, with a free-style pattern and queen presentation run. Each girl could determine her own pattern, which should show off her mount's strongest points, and then each girl ran around the arena waving at the crowd. I'm sure the judges had a difficult job in this portion, because each girl had a different pattern. Megan was number 11 in this portion.
That afternoon the girls were allowed a little fun, as they visited the dolphin habitat at the Mirage. The evening was a Get Acquainted party where we were able to visit with the contestants a little, as well as with other parents and friends. After the party the girls had hours of rehearsal yet ahead of them before they could go to bed.
Tuesday was the PRCA luncheon back out at the South Point hotel. This is the luncheon where the girls wear their chap outfits, which usually consists of their chaps, matching wranglers, and a special shirt made to match their chaps. These outfits were very nice and very special to each girl. After we finished eating, and listening to an outstanding young singer, the contestants were each given a word associated with rodeo, and asked to tell the audience who, or what the word meant. These words were pretty basic, but still required a knowledge of rodeo, and the ability to express themselves in front of an audience.
Tuesday night was the Fashion Show, and what an extravaganza!!! We had a meal of steak and scalloped potatoes that was outstanding, and then we were entertained by Miss Rodeo America, Ashley Andrews, and two different singers. The contestants each danced in 3 different production numbers that they had been rehearsing all week, and I heard comments that these were the best dancers they had ever had!!! It was obvious that the girls were having fun with the dancing and the audience had fun with it too. Wrangler had provided clothing products for the girls for each of their numbers, and the theme of the evening was "Happy Birthday Wrangler". Vanessa and I made a restroom run during an intermission and guess who we ran into there??!!! Marilyn Monroe!! Yes, she was dolled up in a gold shimmery dress and putting on her gloves. Later in the evening, she came onstage to sing "Happy Birthday, Mr President" to the Wrangler president. You just never know who might drop in!
The fashion show was the grand finale to the evening. Each girl was introduced and escorted onstage, where they introduced themselves and modeled their dazzling western gowns. For those of you who had the opportunity to see Megan's fashion show gown during her Send-Off parties - it really worked onstage!!! The spotlights really lit up the 3000+ crystals on the dress and it looked fantastic!! After the show we had a few minutes with her to tell her how proud we were and then the girls (at 11:30 pm) went on to their next event, which was an ice cream social.
Wednesday morning we were sure to be at the French Market buffet for breakfast again, because that is the only way that we would know if she was giving her speech that day - she was wearing her black Rick Rageous jacket so we knew her speech wouldn't be that day. Contestants draw each evening for speech position the next morning, so parents don't know when their daughter will perform until they see them wearing their "speech dress". The girls were all getting a little tired by that point - 2 to 4 hours of sleep and non-stop activity is pretty wearing. The format this year includes a taped media interview which is shown after each contestant's speech. It's been very interesting to watch, and I think it's a useful addition to the pageant. Miss Rodeo America has to give many media interviews during her reign, and judging the contestant's ability to talk to the media has to be helpful in the selection process.
Wednesday at noon, was another new addition to the pageant - a father-daughter luncheon. Many of the fathers bought single roses for their daughters and presented them to the girls - a big hit as you can imagine!
Wednesday evening was a dinner with the judges at Billy Bob's steakhouse at Sam's Town. Although we couldn't sit with the girls, many of the parents ate there as well, and what an excellent meal!
So far this week has been great fun for all of us. I am amazed at the Miss Rodeo America organization and their ability to put an event of this complexity with their volunteer board members. The chaperones have the huge responsibility of these girls all week, making sure they are where they are supposed to be at the proper time, so they spend even longer hours than the contestants.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Miss Rodeo America Pageant Begins!
Hi everybody! This is Rita, Megan's mom, giving my version of the Miss Rodeo America activities.
What an exciting first day! Contestant check-in was at 11 a.m. in the Gator Lounge at The Orleans. The girls turned in their scrapbooks, and lined up for introductions.
For check-in the girls were required to wear Wrangler products - an unadorned Wrangler shirt and matching jeans, no vests or jackets. I think pretty much every color was represented - white, many yellows, shades of pink and purple, blue, orange, green, browns, and black. Megan wore a pretty lavender Wrangler shirt with matching jeans and boots, and looked very pretty! Her jewelry was a chunky lavender and turquoise necklace with a silver cross, and matching earrings. She also wore a wide lavender and turquoise antique bracelet. Each girl had their competition banner pinned on by Ashley Andrews, Miss Rodeo America 2007.
Orientation was held in the Showroom, which is an auditorium with stage at the front and comfy chairs for the audience. The rules for contestants (and spectators) were covered. The bad news is that we aren't allowed to take photos during the competition. The good news is that they have an oustanding professional photographer shooting pictures, and he already has the first days pictures up on his website!! Go to http://www.shooterenterprises.com and click on Online Images on the right hand side. Each event has its own link and you can page through all the pictures. Notice that there are multiple pages of pictures for each event - you won't want to miss anything! If you are looking for Megan in the pictures, it helps to remember that she is wearing lavender.
After orientation, the girls were assigned their roommates for the week. Megan is rooming with Nebraska. The parents all helped their daughters move in, and what a job!! We had traffic jams in the hallways as all the clothes racks and carts were wheeled in! Then I got a little preview of what the girls would be wearing for some of their fashion show production numbers, as they tried on their costumes. Parents had to be off the floor by 5 pm, so the girls could get ready for fashion show rehearsals.
New this year, and a wonderful addition, was the Parent's Social in the evening. Ashley and her parents were there to welcome everyone. Then the parents got to experience the limelight as we each got up and introduced ourselves and where we were from. We put a push-pin in a US map to locate our hometown, and then had our photo taken with Ashley as she presented us with a bag of sponsor gifts. Ashley thanked all of us parents on behalf of our daughters, and presented her parents with a gift for their love and support. It was so much fun visiting with some of the other moms (and a few dads). The consensus seemed to be that the moms are there all the time, but the dads arrive later in the week. As one lady said - "Somebody has to work and pay the bills!"
What an exciting first day! Contestant check-in was at 11 a.m. in the Gator Lounge at The Orleans. The girls turned in their scrapbooks, and lined up for introductions.
For check-in the girls were required to wear Wrangler products - an unadorned Wrangler shirt and matching jeans, no vests or jackets. I think pretty much every color was represented - white, many yellows, shades of pink and purple, blue, orange, green, browns, and black. Megan wore a pretty lavender Wrangler shirt with matching jeans and boots, and looked very pretty! Her jewelry was a chunky lavender and turquoise necklace with a silver cross, and matching earrings. She also wore a wide lavender and turquoise antique bracelet. Each girl had their competition banner pinned on by Ashley Andrews, Miss Rodeo America 2007.
Orientation was held in the Showroom, which is an auditorium with stage at the front and comfy chairs for the audience. The rules for contestants (and spectators) were covered. The bad news is that we aren't allowed to take photos during the competition. The good news is that they have an oustanding professional photographer shooting pictures, and he already has the first days pictures up on his website!! Go to http://www.shooterenterprises.com and click on Online Images on the right hand side. Each event has its own link and you can page through all the pictures. Notice that there are multiple pages of pictures for each event - you won't want to miss anything! If you are looking for Megan in the pictures, it helps to remember that she is wearing lavender.
After orientation, the girls were assigned their roommates for the week. Megan is rooming with Nebraska. The parents all helped their daughters move in, and what a job!! We had traffic jams in the hallways as all the clothes racks and carts were wheeled in! Then I got a little preview of what the girls would be wearing for some of their fashion show production numbers, as they tried on their costumes. Parents had to be off the floor by 5 pm, so the girls could get ready for fashion show rehearsals.
New this year, and a wonderful addition, was the Parent's Social in the evening. Ashley and her parents were there to welcome everyone. Then the parents got to experience the limelight as we each got up and introduced ourselves and where we were from. We put a push-pin in a US map to locate our hometown, and then had our photo taken with Ashley as she presented us with a bag of sponsor gifts. Ashley thanked all of us parents on behalf of our daughters, and presented her parents with a gift for their love and support. It was so much fun visiting with some of the other moms (and a few dads). The consensus seemed to be that the moms are there all the time, but the dads arrive later in the week. As one lady said - "Somebody has to work and pay the bills!"
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