Hurricane of a Time

A quick trip back to Kansas was no understatement. I truly enjoy my time on the road but there really is no place like home. Yes, that is definitely a Wizard of Oz line but how could I resist! I am from Kansas you know. I am quite surprised that I don’t get called Dorothy or asked where my dog Toto is more often. Every once in a while I will get a joke cracked in my direction about the movie characters but always way less then I expect. I always get asked if I’m from Kansas City like there are no other towns in the whole state. I love it though and get a good laugh out of explaining where I live.
 
My next journey took me back to Tennessee. If you recall, I was there in June so I was excited to go to a different area of the state. I arrived to Lebanon with a full weekend in sight. The Hedrick Rodeo Company was contracting this rodeo which made an easy transition into the weekend because I already knew how they liked to put on a rodeo. I was thrilled to be using the huge American flag for the grand entry. It really looks so cool and pictures don’t even do it justice. I carried on with my normal duties as queen and even got some sorting in the back pens done during slack and was named the official barrel setter during the barrel racing. I love working each and every part of the rodeo. In my down time at the rodeo arena a vender called me over and said he wanted to put my picture on something. Naturally I agreed and ended up with my face on a t-shirt and a mug! That sure was a first!
 
The unique thing about this rodeo is that it is put on by Mending Fences Cowboy Church to benefit the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). If you didn’t know, the FCA is the only organization left that can promote Christian teachings in the public school system. Quite honestly I can’t think of a better way to raise money for such an organization other than a rodeo! It was the perfect combination. We had packed attendance both nights of the rodeo and the Mending Fences Cowboy Church said the rodeo gets better every year. I was pleased to be a part of such a great cause. To round out the weekend, I had the opportunity to present my platform speech at the Sunday morning service before I left town. This was extra special to me because I haven’t had many opportunities to speak in front of a crowd about why I am so passionate about being a rodeo queen. I cherish that moment a little more this year.
 
While between stops from Tennessee to Georgia I had a bit of a scare with hurricane Sally. I was staying with my friend in Alabama a couple days before it was supposed to get bad. She casually said we might have to take shelter in a culver. From that moment, I started to joke that I should pack up and head on back to Kansas where I would be safe from Sally. It all blew over in our area and we definitely didn’t have to take cover. There was just a lot of rain and wind. I am so thankful I didn’t experience a full blown hurricane but I will say it made me much more nervous than any tornado warning ever has.
 
With threats of hurricane Sally now nonexistent the Sunbelt Rodeo Queen Pageant was still a go. I traveled over to Moultrie, Georgia for two days of the pageant. I couldn’t believe they had 26 ladies entered between the multiple age divisions. It was so promising to see little girls all the way up to the young ladies. In years past, the Sunbelt Ag Expo has sent the winner of the Miss division to the Miss Rodeo USA pageant. They have had one of the reigning women go on to receive the title of Miss Rodeo USA, which was Brittany Howard Lovan in 2017. As the weekend flew by I was honored to help the current Miss Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Queen, Sarah Larson, emcee the pageant. We told stories from the Miss Rodeo USA pageant and both of our experiences there between each contestant. Since I am not from the south many last names and home towns are very foreign to me. I got tongue tied a few times while reading bios of the contestants but it definitely made for laughs throughout the competition.
 
Amongst different events I stay busy on the road by doing some of my hobbies like wood burning or sewing. It helps pass the days between rodeos and gives me something productive to do with my time. I love being creative and it has become a very good stress reliving activity. I have been packing my sewing machine so I can alter clothes on the road or even make something new! I recently have been working on my wardrobe for the Miss Rodeo USA pageant this January as I will be passing my title onto the next winner of the crown. I hope you are looking forward to seeing all my new creations in January!
 
Miss Rodeo USA 2020
Brooke Wallace
​
Brooke’s Bloopers: As we were enjoying our meal after coronation at the Sunbelt Rodeo Queen Pageant I needed to use the restroom and as I was returning to my seat I chose to freestyle back to my seat. By freestyle I mean slip and fall in the middle of Applebee’s. I have never in my life slipped so fast. One minute I was up and the next minute I was down. The tile was wet and I caught the slope of my heel at the wrong angle. It never fails that a clumsy moment will always sneak up on me! The only saving grace is that I recover like a professional, probably because I have taken a fall on many occasions in my lifetime.
 
Queens Corner: Put me in the sorting pens! I love helping with stock at rodeos and usually I have found that help is needed if you just start working. In Lebanon, I finished signing autographs and slack had started. I went to the back and climbed right in and was handed the list. I called numbers and pointed to what pen the next steer was in. I could have gone back to my hotel and went to bed but I ended up having a blast as we finished up slack that evening. The stock contractor for the rodeo was appreciative as well. It’s not every day a rodeo queen is in the back pens. Remember to always know how to do the job before you jump in to help but that help is usually always needed.
 
Statistically Speaking:

• Miles Traveled: 11,798
• States Visited: 7
• Rodeos Attended: 17
• Number of Performances: 34
• Horses Ridden: 25
• Other Appearances: 17