​It’s been wonderful making local community appearances these last two weeks! Everyone I have interacted with has been so proud of my accomplishments, which is truly humbling. On February 10th, I attended the Boots and Spurs Gala, and fundraiser for the University of Tennessee at Martin Rodeo Team. Over 130 of my rodeo family attended the gala, allowing me to visit with many friends that I hadn’t seen since being crowned Miss Rodeo USA. Thousands of dollars were raised for scholarship money for the rodeo team members. It was a fun night filled with great people supporting a wonderful team.
 
On February 15th, I was able to speak about my experiences at the Miss Rodeo USA pageant and talk about the great organization with the Martin Rotary Club. This event was particularly special to me because I had visited them as the Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo Queen in November where they allowed me to practice giving my speeches in preparation for the competition. They were very proud of my accomplishment and were excited that I was able to share the memories I made.
 
This week I will be preparing to travel to Oklahoma City to the annual Royal Review Jackpot. This is a clinic for rodeo queens that I have attended in the past. I am so excited to see some of my sash sisters and watch them compete. I will also be attending RFD-TV’s The American as well. I am so excited for my first big trip as Miss Rodeo USA!

​Hey everyone! It’s been so nice to be back home for a couple of weeks in Tennessee. Now, I am working on reaching out to sponsors to let them know how much the organization and myself appreciate their generosity. We couldn’t do it without them! I have already spoken with a few sponsors, and it’s wonderful to know that we have a team of amazing people willing to help in any way they can. Since I have been back home, I was able to go to the annual Girlfriends’ Gala in Decatur, Alabama with my Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo committee. It was nice to be able to spend time with the wonderful group of women who made my year as the MCSR Queen unforgettable!
               The Girlfriends’ Gala is a fundraiser put on by the United Way Women’s Leadership Council. This fundraiser raised approximately $40,000 for The Circle Ranch, a camp for foster children. This is a wonderful organization that promotes equal opportunities, starting in their community. I was very interested to learn about this organization and the impacts they had made in Decatur, Alabama. This was a fun night spent with great people! As you can see in the pictures, it was a Masquerade themed party.
               This Saturday, I will be attending a gala for the 50th anniversary of the University of Tennessee at Martin College Rodeo in my hometown. Even though I am no longer on the UTM Rodeo Team, I am honored to be a part of the promotion of the hometown college rodeo. Our college rodeo prides itself in filling the stands each night of the rodeo, drawing in thousands of spectators. I am looking forward to seeing some of my rodeo family come together to celebrate fifty years of successful college rodeos!
               This month is a month of preparation before my travel as Miss Rodeo USA begins! While I appreciate the opportunity to get ready for the year, I can’t wait to get started! I have been dreaming about this year since I was little, and I can’t wait to share my adventures with all of you!