National Western Stock Show- Denver, Colorado

My final night at the rodeo was the most exciting. I was able to carry the National Western Stock Show Flag at the beginning of the rodeo and have my biography read from the president's box again. I was also able to carry flags during the sponsor presentation where four queens carry 14 flags into the arena in about 90 seconds. Its pretty quick and exciting.

All week while we were not participating in different events during the rodeo, the queens were able to sit in premium seating. We were placed about 10 feet behind the announcer Boyd Polhamus on leather sofas. Now you can't beat that.

National Western Stock Show- Denver, Colorado

Tonight at the rodeo I was able to participate in some other activities. I was announced from the "presidents box". Three other queens and myself where able to walk out into the arena during the rodeo and our biographies were read by Mr. Boyd Polhamus, the 2007-2009 Announcer of the Year and 13 time Announcer of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Denver Market

While I was in Denver I had the honor to work at the Denver Market for Tandy Belts, recently acquired by Chambers Belts, a division of Wrangler Brands. It was such a neat experience. They provided us with some great belts to wear during the week and take home. I love mine! Tandy Belts is a sponsor for Miss Rodeo America and they also provided all of the contestants in December with four belts each! The Denver Market is huge; so much more than I expected. There are four floors of merchants that sell their product lines to retailers. A lot of retailers go to market to buy products for their stores for the entire year. I worked for Tandy both Friday and Saturday and was able to meet some great people. Friday I was invited to the Wrangler booth for lunch and Saturday I was able to meet former World Champion Tie-Down Roper and Wrangler model Stran Smith and his wife Jennifer Douglas Smith, a former Miss Rodeo America. I want to thank Tandy Belts and Daniel, Mitzi, Mike, and Mic for allowing me to work with them for a few days.

National Western Stock Show- Denver, Colorado

Today I arrived in Denver for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. First thing I ran in to Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Erin Heffron and Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Michelle Boeshart. Now Utah has a little different program than most state pageants in that we don't have a "lady-in-waiting", so I won Miss Rodeo Utah in July and competed in Las Vegas in December. In other states they win in around June, start their reign January 1st, and compete the following December. Most of the girls that I travel with now are not girls that I competed with in Las Vegas for Miss Rodeo America. Its a little different but I'm lucky to get to meet two groups of great ladies. There were quite a few state rodeo queens attending the rodeo in Denver and even more were arriving later in the week after I left but they had a lot of fun activities planned throughout the whole program. Tonight at the rodeo I got to carry an event sponsor flag and help with the mutton bustin.

Kaysville Elementary D.A.R.E. Graduation

As a 1997 Graduate of the D.A.R.E Program, it was an honor to be invited back as a guest speaker at Kaysville Elementary School. I enjoyed spending time with students who are focused on making good decisions about their future and are lucky to have such supportive parents, teachers, and friends. The program was conducted by Principal Dibble and D.A.R.E Officer Dave Pollard and included three speakers: Mayor Steve Hiatt; Chief of Police, Mike Lee; and myself. I spoke to the group about setting goals for their future as I did at 12 years old to become Miss Rodeo Utah and that they are capable of all the great things that they dream of. I told them about my first time being offered drugs and I also talked to them about celebrities and athletes like Michael Phelps and Taylor Swift and the consequences of them using or not using drugs. Four of the students read their winning written essays and they learned the song "Hot to Not" and sang for their parents. I was so proud to see them all graduate today and listen to the stories they had to tell about their knowledge of drugs and their confidence to choose good friends and make wise decisions. Hooray Kaysville Elementary 5th Graders!