President's Breakfast

It was a packed house for the President's breakfast - which began at 8:30am Tuesday morning. Contestants and judges ate before the rest of the ticket holders came in, and as soon as everyone was seated with their meal, the program began.


After introductions of past MRA Presidents, MRA Executive Board, Sponsors, Guests and Judges, Marjorie Murphy was the auctioneer for two sets of National Finals Rodeo Tickets. The auction raised $900 for Miss Rodeo America, Inc.


The contestants lined up and began their current events questions - Miss Rodeo Missouri was the first to go, and Miss Rodeo Utah was the last. Questions covered a range of current events including topics such as:

• Do you feel the Cash for Clunkers program was successful?


• Should the "Balloon Boy's" parents be charged with child endangerment?


• What are the dangers or concerns with using Facebook or MySpace?


• Is the Going Green movement making a difference?


• Should the Government be in the health care industry?


• How will school district budget cuts affect our children's futures?


• Why do you feel enrollment for post secondary education is on the increase?


• Do you feel it's good or bad that the President took so long to decide how many troops to send to Afghanistan?


• What factors contribute to obesity in our youth and what can be done about it?

The contestants did FABULOUS with their answers this year - what a talented and sharp group of young women.

Scrapbook Awards were handed out - and there is a special blog post just about the scrapbook awards.

Miss Rodeo Alabama, Victoria Jeffcoat, was awarded the sales achievement award, for selling the most raffle tickets.

A 50/50 raffle was held and the proceeds will all be donated to Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Jessinta Hammer, who has just recently been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease and was unable to compete in the Pageant. We all send our thoughts and prayers to Jessinta today and wish her the very best and a speedy recovery!!

Thanks to everyone on the President's Breakfast committee for such a great job -chaired by Linda Ebest, TX and Nyla Bristow, CO. Also special thanks to the following state pageants who sponsored the breakfast: Arkansas, California, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.