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12/05/2006
Miss Rodeo America Crowned...
From missrodeo.com
Even Cancer Couldn't Defeat Miss Rodeo America
2007 Ashley Andrews
The winner of the 52nd Anniversary Miss Rodeo
America Pageant has emerged from a field of 28
fabulous contestants. Miss Rodeo America 2007 is
Ashley Andrews, formerly Miss Rodeo North Dakota
2006. She was crowned Saturday afternoon, Dec.
2, 2006 at The Orleans Hotel showroom by Amanda
Jenkins, Miss Rodeo America 2006.
After a challenging year that included defeating
cancer, Andrews topped off 2006 with another win
of a lifetime, becoming the First Lady of
Professional Rodeo.
She was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in
January 2006, immediately following an
appearance as Miss Rodeo North Dakota at the
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver.
After receiving treatment, Andrews was given a
clean bill of health before competing at the
Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas.
A 21-year-old senior at the University of Mary
in Bismark, ND, Andrews studies communications,
public relations and political science. Upon
graduation she would like to enter the field of
public relations in the area of agriculture or
cancer research.
A statuesque beauty at 5’8”, Miss Andrews has
blonde hair, brown eyes and a genuine,
heartwarming smile. She is the youngest of six
children to Bob and Rita Andrews . They are
residents of Bowman, ND
With her new national title, Andrews is carrying
on a successful rodeo queen career that began
when she served her state as North Dakota High
School Rodeo Queen in 2001.
The new Miss Rodeo America will be introduced on
horseback at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
(WNFR) Sunday evening, Dec. 4, 2006 at the
Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas.
Miss Rodeo America 2006, Amanda Jenkins of
Gilbert, AZ, will fulfill her role as the first
lady of professional rodeo by appearing at the
2006 Wrangler NFR throughout the remainder of
the week. The 48th annual Wrangler NFR runs
daily now through Dec. 9, 2006.
Upon the conclusion of the Wrangler NFR, Miss
Rodeo America 2007 will kick off her yearlong
reign of service representing and promoting the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)
worldwide by appearing first at the Denver
Western Wear Market and World Championship
reception at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in
Colorado Springs, CO., both events in January.
Among her awards is a $10,000 educational
scholarship to the college or university of her
choice, a wardrobe of Wrangler jeans, Justin
boots, Bailey Hats, a silver trimmed saddle by
Court’s Saddlery, her official Miss Rodeo
America trophy buckle from Montana Silversmiths,
and she will wear the uniquely designed Black
Hills Gold tiara, provided by Landstrom’s
Original Black Hills Gold Creations. These
items, along with a multitude of other valuable
and exquisite prizes will be presented to her
throughout the year.
First runner up to Miss Rodeo America 2007 is
Miss Rodeo Texas 2006 – Joanna Blackwell of
Center, TX.
Second runner up to Miss Rodeo America 2007 is
Miss Rodeo Utah 2006 – Cami Cushing of Sandy,
UT.
Third runner up to Miss Rodeo America 2007 is
Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2006 – Jesse Gearhart of
Tijeras, NM.
Fourth Runner up to Miss Rodeo America 2007 is
Miss Rodeo Florida 2006 – Rachel O’Connor of
Zephryhills, FL.
The Eastern Regional Scholarship Award winner is
Miss Rodeo Tennessee 2006
Holly Scott of Cordova, TN.
The Central Regional Scholarship Award winner is
Miss Rodeo Iowa 2006
Erika Harlan of Fairfield, IA.
The Western Regional Scholarship Award winner is
Miss Rodeo Nevada 2006 Kristina Spitale of Reno,
NV.
The Horsemanship Award winner is Miss Rodeo
South Dakota 2006 Sorrel McKay of Wall, SD.
The Personality Award winner is Miss Rodeo North
Dakota Ashley Andrews.
The Appearance Award winner is Miss Rodeo Texas
Joanna Blackwell.
The Photogenic Award winner is Miss Rodeo Texas
Joanna Blackwell.
The Congeniality Award winner is Miss Rodeo
Wisconsin Mari Dean.
Other top ten finalists in the 2007 Miss Rodeo
America Pageant are (in no particular order):
Miss Rodeo California 2006 Brittany Nuckols of
Hesperia, CA.
Miss Rodeo Colorado 2006 Tara Spencer of
Loveland, CO.
Miss Rodeo Idaho 2006 Scharlee Roberts of
Huston, ID.
Miss Rodeo Iowa 2006 Erika Harlan of Fairfield,
IA.
Miss Rodeo Nevada 2006 Kristina Spitale of Reno,
NV.
Additional competitions were held in conjunction
with the 2007 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. Best
Scrapbook Award went to Miss Rodeo Arizona.
Second place went to Miss Rodeo Oregon. Third
place went to Miss Rodeo Kansas. Fourth place
went to Miss Rodeo Iowa.
The Best State Table Display Award went to the
Miss Rodeo Utah delegation. Second place went to
the Miss Rodeo Arizona delegation, and third
place went to Miss Rodeo South Dakota
delegation.
Also, the top sales achievement award was a tie
between Miss Rodeo New Mexico and Miss Rodeo
Texas. This is based on sales of raffle tickets
that benefit the MRA Scholarship Foundation.
The Raeana Wadhams "Spirit Award" went to Miss
Rodeo New Mexico Jesse Gearhart of Tijeras,
NM.This award is given by the MRA Scholarship
Foundation in honor of MRAP Executive Director
Raeana Wadhams.
Twenty eight young ladies, representing their
respective states, competed for the title of
Miss Rodeo America 2007 during the weeklong
pageant, which was showcased at The Orleans
Hotel in America’s Western City of Lights, Las
Vegas, NV.
Contestants were judged in the major categories
of horsemanship, personality and appearance,
competing in the areas of public speaking,
personal interviews, modeling, photogenics and
rodeo/equine knowledge.
"Opportunity is often missed because it's
dressed in overalls, disguised as work," said
Miss Rodeo America 2007 Ashley Andrews in a
media conference following the coronation
ceremony.
"This achievement definitely required some work
but I recognize what an opportunity it is to
serve as Miss Rodeo America.
"I’m an avid fan of rodeo competition and it’s a
dream come true to represent professional rodeo
and sponsors of this great sport."
The new Miss Rodeo America will travel
approximately 100,000 miles over the next year
appearing at nearly 100 rodeo performances and
special events.
Primary sponsors of the Miss Rodeo America
Pageant include Wrangler Jeans, Las Vegas
Events, Inc., American Quarter Horse
Association, Justin Boot Company, Dodge Trucks,
Bailey Hat Company, Montana Silversmiths,
Absorbine, The Orleans Hotel, Dallas Market
Center, Landstrom’s Original Black Hills Gold
Creations, Hobby Horse Clothing Company, Court’s
Saddlery, Buck’s Bags, Wells Fargo, Chambers
Belts, Morris Kaye & Sons and Stone Horses.
Masters of ceremonies were Tim Fuller of Tulsa,
OK, and Bob Tallman of Weatherford, TX. Judges
for the 2007 Miss Rodeo America Pageant were Jim
Helzer of Arlington, TX, Marlo Ward of LaGrange,
WY, Jim Sutton of Onida, SD, and Karen Yost of
Park City, MT.
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