community
december27
2011
9
Happy Trails: A Report From the Rodeo Road
By Mackenzie Carr
Miss Rodeo America 2012
Show and Coronation.
Both of these events had
multiple dance numbers,
Hello everyone!
outfit changes, light shows,
On December 10th
confetti, the whole nine
at the MGM Grand Casino
yards. Many people have
and Hotel in Las Vegas, I
asked me if the competition
became the first Oregonian
was at all cutthroat, and
to be crowned Miss Rodeo
in reality it was not. I had
America. Throughout the
travelled with all of the
eight day long pageant,
ladies throughout my year
the 26 other contestants
as Miss Rodeo Oregon,
and I were judged on our
and the pageant was really
appearance, personality,
a big reunion. The 27 of us
horsemanship, knowledge,
laughed and had the time
speech, and photogenic
of our lives. They hold a
capability. We began each
special place in my heart and
day at 5:00 AM and finally Mackenzie at her photo will always be my lifelong
shoot immediately fol-
hit the pillow at around lowing the coronation friends.
midnight. The moment
After the announcement,
ceremony.
the 27 of us stepped out of
the whirlwind of photo
our room in the morning, the judging shoots began. I began with posing with
began and did not cease until we stepped all of the pageant awards, new clothes,
back inside each night. We were put and sponsored items. This was shoot
through multiple interviews, impromptu number one. Shoot two, three, four, and
questioning, and public speaking. In five took place the next day. It began with
between each of the “judged” events, the Wrangler promotional shoot at 8:00
we were at dance rehearsal preparing AM, followed by Justin Boots, Montana
for the Vegas-style production Fashion Silversmiths; Bailey Hats wrapped up
the day at 2:00 PM. It was a marathon of
saying cheese, but a ton of fun.
I left Las Vegas to head back to
Vernonia. When I arrived, I was greeted
by a good portion of the town and a fire
truck escort. It was truly humbling to see
the amount of support I have in my small
community. Thank you again to the
Vernonia Fire Department and all of the
people who made this possible.
Mackenzie with “The Purple Posse” at
the pageant.
Relaxing with sister Kaitlyn before the
pageant.
My welcome home party on Saturday
December 17th was a blast! I saw so
many familiar faces and spoke about my
overall pageant experience. Thank you
to everyone who came out!
Lastly, thanks again to all of
my sponsors, supporters, friends, and
family. My year as Miss Rodeo Oregon
would not have been possible without
all of your help and kindness. Thank you
for everything!
I am thoroughly excited for the
upcoming year and cannot wait to kick
things off in Denver at the National
Western Stock Show!
Until next time.
Vernonia Cares ~ A Month of Giving and Receiving
Na
tu
ral
Path Health Ser
ces
vi
December was a busy month at
the Vernonia Cares Food Bank. Early
in the month Vernonia Cares received
over 900 pounds of food from local
Boy Scouts (above) as part of their
“Scouting For Food” campaign on
December 3 rd . Cares Executive Director
Sandy Welch (right) was also happy to
accept a check from Toni Barton for
$1,000—a donation from the Bridge
Street Mini Mart. On December 20 th
Vernonia Cares volunteers (below) and
staff handed out holiday food boxes
and turkeys. Janice Gray (left) of
Vernonia was happy to receive all the
fixings for a great holiday meal this
year.
Dr. Carol McIntyre
Naturopathic & Chinese Medicine
Owned and Operated by
Don & Kim Wallace
503.429.3928
cccmnd@yahoo.com
naturalpathhealthservices.com
786 Bridge Street
Vernonia, OR, 97064
