I have to admit, this is my most favorite event of all of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant events! It is such a treat to see the contestants in their gorgeous chaps outfits!
MRA, Inc. President Tracy Damrell welcomed the sold-out crowd at the South Point's Ballroom and past President Sharon Halligan gave the invocation. Then, the doors opened at each corner of the room and in came the girls, through the tables, clapping their hands to the music.
Tracy introduced special guests on hand for the luncheon including Mr. Keith Martin, Chairman of the Board of the PRCA, and Mr. Karl Stressman, PRCA Commissioner. Mr. Stressman gave a wonderful talk, praising Kelli for the job she has done as Miss Rodeo America, and encouraging the contestants.
Following a delicious beef lunch (and I mean delicious!) the presentation was made for the Top Horse Award. This award is voted on by the W.N.F.R. pickup men, who judged the horses provided by the stock contractors for the horsemanship competition. The winning horse was #8, "Floyd," owned by Bob Barnes and Marty Barnes accepted the bronze and $200 cash award provided by the American Quarter Horse Association and W.F. Young/Absorbine.
Kelli Jackson presented a special award to the PRCA and to the WPRA; Montana Silversmiths presented Kelli with a beautiful framed portrait.
Next, Deborah Dilley, representing the Scholarship Foundation Board, announced that this year the total amount of scholarships awarded at the MRA Pageant will be $50,000 - which reflects a $1500 increase to the 1st Runner-Up Scholarship from $3,500 to $5,000. One of the major fundraisers of the scholarship foundation is the raffle, and eight contestants were recognized for selling the most raffle tickets: Miss Rodeo California, Markie Battaglia; Miss Rodeo Colorado, Kasie Pigg; Miss Rodeo Florida, Heather Hall; Miss Rodeo Iowa, Jordanne Blair; Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Chassity Sisco; Miss Rodeo Oregon, Ashley Zeigler; Miss Rodeo Texas, Celesta Harvey; and Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Erin Heffron. The award for top sales went to Miss Rodeo Texas, Celesta Harvey. Celesta was presented with a silver bracelet sponsored by Miss Rodeo Montana, Inc. and a diamond necklace sponsored by Marjorie Murphy. Miss Rodeo California, Markie Battaglia, also received a diamond necklace for second place sales.
The scholarship foundation then conducted an auction of several items including W.N.F.R. tickets and a 100x Bailey Hat.
For the contestant's question & answer period, each contestant had been given a "word" that pertained to the theme of What it Takes to Put On A Rodeo, when they boarded the bus to go to the luncheon. They had that time to formulate what they would say, with approximately 45 seconds each. First contestant up was South Dakota - her word was "committee" and the last contestant to go was Florida, whose word was "prize money." All of the contestants did a great job with their topics!
The Women's Professional Rodeo Association was on hand to present the chaps award, a $500 scholarship given by them and a back chap belt sponsored by Ellensburg Saddle Company. Winner of the Chaps Award was Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Michelle Boeshart, with her beautiful black and gold chaps.
MRA, Inc. President Tracy Damrell welcomed the sold-out crowd at the South Point's Ballroom and past President Sharon Halligan gave the invocation. Then, the doors opened at each corner of the room and in came the girls, through the tables, clapping their hands to the music.
Tracy introduced special guests on hand for the luncheon including Mr. Keith Martin, Chairman of the Board of the PRCA, and Mr. Karl Stressman, PRCA Commissioner. Mr. Stressman gave a wonderful talk, praising Kelli for the job she has done as Miss Rodeo America, and encouraging the contestants.
Following a delicious beef lunch (and I mean delicious!) the presentation was made for the Top Horse Award. This award is voted on by the W.N.F.R. pickup men, who judged the horses provided by the stock contractors for the horsemanship competition. The winning horse was #8, "Floyd," owned by Bob Barnes and Marty Barnes accepted the bronze and $200 cash award provided by the American Quarter Horse Association and W.F. Young/Absorbine.
Kelli Jackson presented a special award to the PRCA and to the WPRA; Montana Silversmiths presented Kelli with a beautiful framed portrait.
Next, Deborah Dilley, representing the Scholarship Foundation Board, announced that this year the total amount of scholarships awarded at the MRA Pageant will be $50,000 - which reflects a $1500 increase to the 1st Runner-Up Scholarship from $3,500 to $5,000. One of the major fundraisers of the scholarship foundation is the raffle, and eight contestants were recognized for selling the most raffle tickets: Miss Rodeo California, Markie Battaglia; Miss Rodeo Colorado, Kasie Pigg; Miss Rodeo Florida, Heather Hall; Miss Rodeo Iowa, Jordanne Blair; Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Chassity Sisco; Miss Rodeo Oregon, Ashley Zeigler; Miss Rodeo Texas, Celesta Harvey; and Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Erin Heffron. The award for top sales went to Miss Rodeo Texas, Celesta Harvey. Celesta was presented with a silver bracelet sponsored by Miss Rodeo Montana, Inc. and a diamond necklace sponsored by Marjorie Murphy. Miss Rodeo California, Markie Battaglia, also received a diamond necklace for second place sales.
The scholarship foundation then conducted an auction of several items including W.N.F.R. tickets and a 100x Bailey Hat.
For the contestant's question & answer period, each contestant had been given a "word" that pertained to the theme of What it Takes to Put On A Rodeo, when they boarded the bus to go to the luncheon. They had that time to formulate what they would say, with approximately 45 seconds each. First contestant up was South Dakota - her word was "committee" and the last contestant to go was Florida, whose word was "prize money." All of the contestants did a great job with their topics!
The Women's Professional Rodeo Association was on hand to present the chaps award, a $500 scholarship given by them and a back chap belt sponsored by Ellensburg Saddle Company. Winner of the Chaps Award was Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Michelle Boeshart, with her beautiful black and gold chaps.
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