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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 2012)
in other words december25 2012 Happy Trails: A Report From the Rodeo Road By Mackenzie Carr Miss Rodeo America 2012 Thankfully he just barely missed. A good portion of my week was spent at the Miss Rodeo Hello for the last time. America Pageant. Here, 31 different This is the final article I will state queens were competing for be writing, sharing my stories from the title of 2013 MRA. I played the rodeo road. My last two weeks hostess at many of the pageant as Miss Rodeo America were spent events; telling stories from my year in Sin City for the Wrangler National in between speeches, interviewing Finals Rodeo, the 2013 Miss Rodeo the contestants to make them feel at America Pageant, and the PRCA ease, and singing “Me and Bobby Convention. These two weeks were McGee” accompanied by John jam packed full of many adventures Wayne Schultz on the guitar. One of and fun times, too many to share the most memorable pageant events in this piece. I’ve captured the would have to be the fashion show. highlights and I hope that you enjoy. The contestants and I modeled new I kick started the trip with fashions from Wrangler, Justin my first events relating to the PRCA Boots, and other designers. At the Convention. I had the honor of end of the show, each state queen giving the invocation at the Gala modeled an elegant western dress. and presenting the awards at the Like the girls, I got to design my Awards Banquet. The most hilarious dress. I wanted to do something and definitely memorable event took special, something that was only me. place was while I was up on stage Mackenzie in her “Elvis dress” at For those of you who have known the MRA fashion show. presenting the Donita Barns Lifetime me for a very long time, you might Achievement Award. A man named Art and his wife recall that I am a huge Elvis Presley fan. What could won the award for their outstanding volunteerism. His be more fitting that a dress that looks like one of Elvis’ wife came on stage, shook my suits? The dress was a gigantic hand, and graciously accepted hit! I cannot thank Donna Riva the award. Art had other of Western Reflections enough things in mind. I thought he for taking the time to bring my was coming in for a hug, he creation to life. thought he was going to get I spent half of my time at the a little bit more. Needless to Pageant and the other half at the say, an old man reeking of Thomas and Mack riding in the cheap alcohol and missing Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. one of his front teeth coming I would do my queen’s run each at me mouth gaping, hoping night during grand entry, but for a kiss, was TERRIFYING! I’d also go change and carry the There were so many people on Wrangler flag during the Sponsor stage that I couldn’t get out of Flag Lineup. Riding at the NFR the way fast enough. Before was beyond a rush. You don’t Thank you to Judy Wright for doing my I knew it I had screamed, makeup at the fashion show and coronation. realize how small that arena is “NOOOOOOOOO!” until you’re in it. Running in 9 at full speed, crowd roaring, and surrounded by the cowboys and cowgirls I have represented all year was indescribable. It was definitely one of the best memories from my year. I owe a HUGE thank you to the town of Vernonia. I would not be the person I am today without all of your help, kindness, and support. I remember when I won my first rodeo queen pageant in 2007 and Mackenzie’s last queen’s run as Miss Rodeo America at the National Finals Rodeo. you all stepped up to the plate with open arms, willing to help in any way possible. Not once has your support dwindled over the past 5 years. I am beyond grateful for all that you have done. Thank you Scott Laird for allowing me to share my travels each month in your newspaper. I have enjoyed writing them and I know that many others have enjoyed reading them. Your newspaper is so different from many others, in that it focuses on our great little community. It’s bright, it’s fun, and it shares a positive message. Thank you for all of your hard work. Lastly, thank you to my family. I cannot tell you enough how much your support means to me. You guys really are the best thing in my life. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and I love you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Dean Schaumburg: A Place To Call Home continued from front page to pay for it!” he says with a laugh. Schaumburg says he cooks, cleans, does his own laundry and takes care of both he and Sylas. “I try to be as independent as possible,” he says. He has someone come in every other week to deep clean and do the things he can’t reach himself, but other than that he is pretty self-suf- ficient. He has a regular wheelchair for moving around the inside of the house and a motorized wheelchair for getting around town; he can often be seem out doing errands, eating at Mariolino’s with Sylas or out getting some fresh air. Schaumburg says he stays pretty active with his therapy and taking care of his house and Sylas. “Keeping house and being a dad keeps me pretty busy,” he says. “Honestly, being a dad, besides being fun, it is actually quite a bit of work for me. Getting back and forth and still trying to be an involved Dad takes time.” Schaumburg says he gets a lot of help from his family, including his mother, his young- er brother, older sister and his father and several aunts and uncles and cousins. He also says that he really appreciates everything the community has done to help him. “I can’t name the specific names because I’ll forget somebody,” says Scha- umburg, “but I really want to thank everybody and I really appreciate all their help. I’m not just saying that to say it—I really do appreciate it. For me there is not another community in the world that would do what this one has done for me.” Vernonia Computer Services Computer problems? We can help. Hardware testing, repair, replacement Mac – Windows – Linux Software install/upgrade Virus/spyware removal Custom systems built Housecalls Available Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 10-6 and by appointment Bill Langmaid (971) 998-3705 bill@rangelights.com Dean Schaumburg’s house in Vernonia. g WiFi n i vid et & o r P tern n L I S D aga s COMPUTER & INTERNET SERVICES 503.429.TECH jeff@agalis.net
