On to Denver . . . My First Official Appearance!

While in Denver I got to meet Tuff Hedeman (above). You can see more photos from my trip to Denver by clicking here.

I just returned home from the National Western Stock Show and Denver Apparel Market. Don and Shirley Staver of Afton, Iowa own a western store and were kind enough to let me ride along with them and share a motel room in Denver. I was able to help the Staver's pick out clothing and other merchandise for their western store for the rest of the season! It was a lot of fun and makes me want to own a western store! Don and Shirley are fantasic people and I had SO MUCH FUN in Denver! While at the market, I met Tuff Hedeman, Larry and Denise Mahan, and John Lawson, a Jackie Gleason (plays in my all-time favorte movie, Smokey and the Bandit) look-alike who works for Ruddock Shirtmakers. I was able to make many great contacts and see other visiting state rodeo queens, as well as Ashley Andrews (Miss Rodeo America), which was great because I haven't seen them since Las Vegas!

I was able to help out Saturday evening, January 13, at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo. My chaps, beautifully made by Cary Veach of Ankeny, Iowa, made their maiden voyage in an arena atop the Cervi Rodeo Company victory lap horse. I also had fun helping the "short stack" cowboys and cowgirls up out of the dirt after the wool-clad stock gave them a literal "run for their money."

The success of my coronation and the great time I had last weekend in Denver heightens my expectations for excitement and fun times for the upcoming year. I am already thoroughly enjoying myself, and there are many more events to come! With that, I leave you with an ear-to-ear smile and best wishes for safe travels and good days! Take care!

--Amanda

Coronation Celebration

Speechless is something that does not usually happen to me, however, I cannot put my finger on a word that encompasses the appreciation, surprise, gratitude, excitement, and honor I feel when I think about the support I have of everyone who helped with my Coronation Celebration. Over 100 people donated items for the event, and many others, including my family and queen committee, were a part of making the night a success. Over 300 people packed Wibholm Hall in Clarinda, Iowa for an exciting celebration. I would like to thank each and every one of the people who attended--and especially those who had long road trips to travel to Southwest Iowa. I was so happy to see everyone and could not believe that so many people had taken time out of their busy schedules to come join me!

The evening began with a delicious meal followed by introductions of visiting royalty. I was very honored to be in the beautiful, shining presence of Erika Harlan (Miss Rodeo Iowa 2006), Aleigh Beahm (Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2006), Holly Soucie (Iowa High School Rodeo Queen), Kelsea Walker (Miss Rodeo Illinois 2007), Racquel Telfer (Miss Rodeo Lenox 2006), Courtney Stark (Miss Teen Rodeo Lenox 2006), Lauren Scholz (Miss Sidney, Iowa Rodeo), Nicole Watkins (Miss Rodeo Whiting), and the newly crowned Miss Rodeo Iowa Teen 2007, Rachel Burton. Eleven-year-old Alexis Hawley of Burlington dazzled everyone with her powerful voice in two songs by Carrie Underwood, and 4 wonderful contestants (Steve Eason, Chance Turner, Ken Whitehill, and Andrew Bexton) tried their hands at rodeo royalty in the Mr. Rodeo Iowa contest. My dad, having a slight advantage over the rest of the contestants because he has been familiar with the "queen world" for the last few years, managed to snatch the title away from first runner-up Chance Turner by the smallest of margins.

Paula Jameson of Bridgewater, Iowa created a song-accompanied slide show of pictures from the Miss Rodeo Iowa pageant and our recent trip to Las Vegas. I love watching the clips and dancing to the "Viva Las Vegas" tune that plays while pictures of the Belagio light show, National Finals Rodeo, and Vegas Vic flash across the screen. Paula has done so many things to help me out; I am very fortunate to have met her and owe a large part of the fun I will have as Miss Rodeo Iowa to her because I would not be "blogging" now if it was not for her.

Following the video, the live auction began and many great items were sold to raise money for my travel and wardrobe expenses I will incur throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who donated auctions items and also to those who purchased the great items. The auction went on for a longer time than I thought it would, but I was sure to tell the audience that though I apologized for the auction running long, I was not going to apologize for the wonderful support evident in the items from the local businesses that was embodied in the lagrge support they showed me through the many auction items. All in all, I had a wonderful evening and smile every time I think about the night.

--Amanda

It Is Official!

Hello, 2007!

Happy New Year to everyone! I am excited because I have officially assumed the duties of Miss Rodeo Iowa 2007. I am so excited for the fun to begin! Things are going well as we are coming into the backstretch for my Coronation Celebration which will be held this Saturday, January 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Wibholm Hall in Clarinda, Iowa. It will be a fun-filled evening and I am looking forward to seeing everyone who will be attending.

I start my final undergraduate semester the following Monday and then we leave for the Denver Market and Stock Show that Thursday, so it will be a whirlwind week! I will be sure to check in again when I return from the Stock Show to share pictures and highlights of my travels. Have a great rest of the week, and I hope to see you at my Coronation!

--Amanda