What an adventure this was! The best part of the trip was sharing the 665 miles between Moses Lake, WA to Ogden, UT with Jamie Rauch (my queen coach), Sara-Jane Prchal (Miss Moses Lake Roundup), and Kylie Kooistra (Miss Cheney Rodeo).
As with all of my trips, there seems to be something, just something, that doesn’t quite go accordingly! As I left my house in Yakima (where I live during the school year) and headed for my house in George, I had given myself an extra 40 minutes just in case something came up. I was feeling rather intelligent and exceedingly clever as I drove the speed limit and day dreamed on my hour and 15 minute drive… as I reached my driveway though, I realized—I didn’t have a house key! All of my clothes and my hat were in my room. I called my mom and luckily she was relatively close to her office and would be able to leave a key for me to pick up on her lunch break. My trip to her office added almost an hour to my drive, and I was soon feeling slightly rushed! In Moses Lake, the four of us met—a little later than scheduled, haha, and began our road trip.
The longer I live-- and the more I’m traveling, I realize life will be exactly what you make of each circumstance. It’s merely a bouquet of situations that all roll together, and your reactions illuminate your character. I think the real beauty of this lifetime is sometimes missed because we’re so caught up on ‘more important things,’ leaving much of the splendor amongst the small things we take for granted. After breaking my knee, my car breaking down, having a tough last quarter in my classes—and being late to my carpool, my outlook has shifted as with some of my priorities. Being able to walk and pick fights with my brother, debating over dress colors with my mom, or being able to listen and appreciate as someone else shares their stories… how much more incredible does it get!? I like to think hope rises with the sunrise; what will you enjoy today?
Each morning in Utah we had a different schedule of events than the day prior. All in attendance received a binder full of “Queen Knowledge,” a ‘Rodeo Queen Boot Camp’ cap, a tote bag, and a detailed schedule! We rotated through short lectures on fashion, rodeo events—both rough stock and timed, modeling tips, speech tips, Miss Rodeo America Kelli Jackson informational and inspirational speeches, a fashion show, and much more. There were over 150 attendants of bothrodeo queens, potential rodeo queens, parents, and coaches. The part I enjoyed about the clinic the most were the informational sections where timed events were broken down and explained to us. I have a much better understanding of tie-down roping! This was my weakest understanding of events when I arrived, but am much more confident in my knowledge now.
