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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2011)
community Happy Trails: A Report From the Rodeo Road By Mackenzie Carr Miss Rodeo Oregon 2011 Hello! Since my last article, my schedule has yet again been very busy. The weekend of March 5th and my coronation were finally here! The night was full of good music from the Concrete Cowboys, great food-- courtesy of Spirit Mountain Casino-- and emceed by the one and only Scott Allen. Thank you to the Concrete Cowboys and Scott Allen for making the evening that much more spectacular; I am honored to call you my friends. The dessert dash, silent and live auctions, and blanket dance were a huge success. Thank you to everyone who donated items, dessert, money, and especially to the Grand Ronde Princesses for sharing their culture with us. Wrapping up the whole celebration was the passing of the crown. Thank you to Ashley Zeigler and her family for making the long trip to present me with my crown. It is an honor to serve as Miss Rodeo Oregon 2011, and I will do all in my power to make Oregon proud. Overall, it was a great success and will help fund my travels and my preparations for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. I cannot thank everyone enough who helped make this night possible. After the whirlwind of my coronation was over, I attended the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Mackenzie with her parents Barb and Alan Carr at her coronation. Rodeo Court’s Coronation on March 12th. Congratulations to Haley, Kelsey, and Kelsey. I cannot wait to spend this year with you and I’m so excited to have the 2012 Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant during your rodeo in August. Thank you again for having me; it was such a joy to share in your special night. After Canby, I was off to the islands! On March 16th, my parents, my sister, and I travelled to the big island of Hawaii for the Kona Stampede in Honaunau, Hawaii. We spent the few days before the rodeo relaxing at the beach, walking around downtown Kona, In Hawaii! shopping at the farmer’s market, and enjoying a luau. With the weekend came the rodeo and many fond memories. My horse’s name was Ricky and she too was from Oregon! Thank you to Edwin Nobriga for letting me borrow her; she was such a good girl. After my run-in, I watched the rodeo in awe. Many of the events they competed in I had never seen before. My favorite was the Wahini Calf Mugging. It was done by teams of two women, one on the ground and one on horseback. The rider came out of the roping box and roped the calf. The woman on foot took off as soon as the calf was roped and flanked, more like tackled, the calf. Once the calf was on the ground, the rider dismounted and tied three of the calf’s legs. Not only was this entertaining to watch, it showed just april26 2011 9 how tough Hawaiian women are. Kudos to the wahinis! It was quite a treat to see all of the talented ropers, ranging from ages 8 to 80 and spanning both men and women. After spending the weekend at the rodeo, Kala’i and Nahe Nobriga invited me to spend the next two days with them. We went on a trail ride, spent time at the beach, did a Mackenzie visiting with a bone marrow transplant patient at Duke Hospital in North Carolina. little cliff diving, crawled in we headed to Washington, D.C. and an old lava cave, ate raw sea urchins and abalone (called wana and spent the next day touring the city. We opihi in Hawaiian), and went pig visited the White House, Washington hunting. I had so much fun spending Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam time with them in those two short Memorial, WWII Memorial, Jefferson days. Thank you, Kala’i, Nahe, Memorial, Air and Space Museum, and Macey, Marla, JR, and Sam for your the Holocaust Museum. It was such a kindness and hospitality; I cannot great day, but our feet were TIRED! On Saturday, April 9th, the three of us rode wait to see all of you again. Once I returned to Oregon and in the National Cherry Blossom Festival reality, it was over to Redmond for Parade. What a treat! The crowd was the Rodeo Royalty Roundup on huge and they were so thrilled to see April 2nd. It was great to be able to cowgirls. I received a lot of “GO help many of the Central and Eastern DUCKS!” while I was en route. It was a Oregon queens with all of their great way to end a fun trip. On April 16th, I attended the pageantry questions and queries. Miss NPRA Shalaina Joiner and I St. Paul Royal Court Coronation. As talked about interviews, knowledge, always, it was such a good time; awesome turnout and great food. Congratulations speech, and appearance. The girls were also given a makeup lesson, courtesy of Mary Kay consultants. I had a wonderful time getting to know the girls and cannot wait to see them in the future. On April 6 th , I was once again found on an airplane. This Mackenzie riding with Miss Rodeo Virginia and Miss Rodeo time I was Virginia- Colorado at the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade in Washington DC. bound! After arriving in Roanoke, Miss Rodeo Virginia, Miss to Ashley, Barbara Jane, and Julie. I Rodeo Colorado, and I spent the night in cannot wait to spend this year with you; Dublin, Virginia, and then we were off we are going to have WAY too much to Duke Hospital in North Carolina the fun! On May 7 th , I will be in Vernonia following morning. There we visited some of the children in the bone marrow helping out at Vernonia Florist and transplant unit. To see their enthusiasm Creatures Pet Shop. Come and stop by, and fighting spirit was both humbling support Vernonia’s local businesses, and and inspiring. After leaving Duke, say hello. Hope to see you there! KELLY WESTON 503-429-6203 ARTHUR STRAND INSURANCE INC. TOLL FREE 877-602-2345 LONG BEACH, WA 98631
