Coronation A Success!!!

I would like to thank everyone for supporting me so much in my coronation. The night was so much fun and truly a wonderful experience. It is eye-opening to see an event of this size occur, when I know it started as a tiny seed- an idea, a vision. I was overly pleased with the wonderful people I spent the evening with. Thank you to everyone who was apart of this event. You are appreciated so much. Kyle Shobe and the Walk 'Em Boys did an amazing job- and to my suprise- it was only their third performance. It was a pleasure to have my emcee, Barney Sheridan, at the mic. He is so much fun, and a good-hearted individual. I spent a few mornings with him on the radio and we had a blast. I would also like to acknowledge the visiting royalty who made the evening a success: Libby Gurnett, Jourdan Han, Samantha Manley, Callie & Elizabeth Roberts. Ladies, you helped me so much and I am so thankful to have your support and hard work ethic. Little Elizabeth sold a huge chunk of the 52 cards for a drawing I was doing. NO ONE could say no to her. I have never seen so much generosity, and I can't believe it is to support me in my quest for Miss Rodeo America. Wow! is all I can say.

Auction Items for MRM Coronation Gala!!!

Silent Auction Items

*This is just a small selection of what will be offered!!!*

-Ceramic Boot Wine Chiller

-2 Black Motorcycle jackets with American flags on them

-Drummond Rodeo handpainted sign and 4 tickets to the Drummond PRCA performance

-2 Night stay at the Nansel Ranch in Forsyth

-"Learn How to Brand" day at the VO Valley Ranch in Belt, and antique branding irons

-Garmin Etrex GPS

-2 barnwood frames with vintage photographs

-Woven placemats and coaster sets

-2 art pieces by Kate Ruland

-The cowboy version of the German Stein-2 mugs

-Vintage Stetson and Resistol hatboxes filled with See's Candies

-Rope Basket

-Dog treat basket by Go Fetch!

-Riding Lesson from King Equestrian Center

-Four Riding Lessons from Laura Bakker

-Trail Ride and lunch for two in the Highwood Mountains- hotel accommodations in Great Falls

-2 bucking horse concho beaded necklaces made by Lesli

-Saddle Bronc Painting done with cattle markers by Lesli

-quilting squares and scraps for a western quilt

-facial from Bella Sauvage

-Texas drink coozie

-Woodburn art made by Virgil

-MRM Tee Shirt and Beanie

-Framed Pirnie and Gogas prints

-One year Direct TV Package

-Missoula Stampede VIP Package

-Chicks and Chaps Package

-Chaps made by Marty Mitskus

-baby moccasins made by Cary Mitskus

-10 visit pass to Women's Club, yoga mat

-Lane Timothy print

-purse from Betty's Divine

-7 nights of dog boarding

-one puppy exam-deworming

-Painting by Scott Adams

-two Joan Baez tickets and hotel accommodations

-One week condo stay on Big Mountain in Edelweiss

-Signed Baxter Black books, DVD, and CD package

Live Auction Items

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- Anderson and Platt Fly Fishing Trip- Full day guided flyfishing trip for two with hot lunch. You have your choice of either the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Madison, Ruby, Jefferson, or Missouri Rivers.

-Wapiti Waters Trip- Full day guided flyfishing trip for two with lunch. You have your choice of either the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, or Clark Fork Rivers. You can trade fishing time for fly casting lessons also.

-Western Waters Trip- Full day guided flyfishing trip for two with lunch. You have your choice of either the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, or Clark Fork Rivers.

-Montana's Wildest Weekend Package- Dillon Jaycee Labor Day Rodeo and Concert Tickets, and hotel accomodations.

- Steak Ride for Four- Horses provided or bring your own. Three hour trail ride for four people into the Bitterroot Mountains and mouth watering steak dinner provided by caterer Mark Coyler.

-Day at Dunrovin Ranch for Two- Lolo Montana- Saddle up for a ride across the Bitterroot River and up the Sapphire Mountains- After lunch, put on your wading shoes for a guided canoe trip down the Bitterroot River.

-Dinner Date at Paws Up Ranch with Miss Rodeo Montana- $200 dinner gift certificate

-Griz gear package and 1/2 hour Monte the Mascot appearance for your business or party

-Chase Hawks rodeo Package- Hotel room, Rodeo and Dinner tickets, and apparel

-Wrangler NFR Package

-Tough Enough to Wear Pink Golf Tournament Package

-Pheasant Hunting Trip for 2- Little Canyon Shooting - Peck, ID. Includes stay at the lodge.

"Day of Dance" and Cascade High School Rodeo Fundraiser

I had an action packed weekend in Great Falls- and got plenty of excercise! I started off my morning by emceeing the "Day of Dance" which is a part of the Red Shoe Initiative. This raises awareness for heart disease and teaches people that dancing can be really great for your health. Being the master of ceremonies was fun and I especially enjoyed doing it with registered nurse John Jackson. He is a wonderful man who cares a lot about his patients and people in general. He and I made sure to jump in at any free moment we had to learn some new moves. There were different types of dancers that would do an example of their genre, then invite the audience out to try it. I learned hip hop, zumba (which probably was my favorite), hawaiian, ballroom, jitterbug, and native american circle dancing. I really enjoyed the circle dancing because it was a good workout and very ryhthmic and soothing. I liked emceeing a lot because I literally had to go "off the cuff". It is always fun and builds confidence in speaking skills to do this. I felt like the Day of Dance was very entertaining for everyone involved. Many people learned how to reduce their risk of heart disease by excercise that doesn't feel like excercise- dancing! Thank you to Lacey Gallagher, who made this event fun, organized, and successful. I am attaching the Day of Dance article in the Great Falls Tribune. -http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090301/NEWS01/903010311

Later that evening, Jody and I made our way down to Cascade for the Cascade High School Rodeo Team Fundraiser. I would like to thank Monica Gruel for inviting me. I am so proud of the team for looking for ingenious ways to keep heading down the road. It goes to show that even in tough economic times, young people can still rodeo and maintain our traditions. Sometimes it just takes a little fundraising! Jody, Virgil, and I had a good time meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends we have met in the rodeo family. One of the pictures above is me with some raffle tickets. I sold 50-50 tickets to help out the team and I truly believe I am getting good at sales! I have come down to this simple equation for sales. It's not "will you buy some?"- it's "how many?" Selling is something that rodeo queens must get used to doing, and must learn to love it. I always like to consider it a great way to mingle with people and joke around. A lot of these people may see you at events and rodeos but may never get to chat with you. I like to meet new people so it is good for me. Also, it felt amazing to raise money for the next generation of rodeo stars from Montana! The night ended on a good note. I had another opportunity to help the rodeo team by having a dance with me auctioned off. That was fun and I can't believe how much it went for- $300!!! That night Jody and I went back to her house to crash! It definitely was a long day, but so worth it. Thank you to Jody for letting me stay with her. It is always fun, productive, and relaxing.

Heads up to everyone!!! I will be posting some pictures and descriptions of my auction items on my blog so everyone can get a preview of what is to come! That should be up within the next few days. I also would like to mention I had my first online sponsor donation through the website. Thank you so much to Janelle Q. for doing this. My year will be better because of your assistance.