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.”
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(971) 998-3705
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Dean Schaumburg’s house in Vernonia.
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