Traveling Down the Turquoise Circuit Trail 

 

Jessica Listiak, 2001 Miss Turquoise Circuit during performance at Tucson Los De Vaquereos Rodeo

 

Hi! My name is Jessica Listiak. I am the 2001 Miss Turquoise Circuit. I was crowned in January and I would like to tell you of the highlights as I travel down the Turquoise Circuit trail.

The last two months have been very busy for me. My first weekend I was at the Lost Dutchman Days Queen Contest in Apache Junction which held January 20, 2001. I was honored when I was asked by Judy Gomez to say the invocation prayer to start the competition. I would like to congratulate the 2001 Miss Lost Dutchman Days Queen, Leigh Rodriguez; Miss LDD Sr. Teen, Courtney Carr; and Miss LDD Jr. Teen Chelsea Neese. I know all of these girls and they will do a wonderful job of representing Apache Junction.

The following weekend which was January 27, 2001, I was at the Scottsdale Parada Del Sol Rodeo Parade. What a wonderful day for a parade! The weather was perfect. I would like to thank Phil Cea, Parade Chairman, for all his help and wonderful spot in the parade. February 2-3, I was at the Scottsdale Jaycees Parada Del Sol Rodeo. This was such a bitter-sweet weekend for me. My first official PRCA rodeo event of the year when my horse, Surprize, Then back to Scottsdale for the Friday night's performance. The next two days, I borrowed Maria Gomez's rope horse. Thanks Maria!! I would like to thank the rodeo committee for their hospitality . I would like to thank, Stacy Larson for her help with the NAPA banners and her support.

Early February 22nd, I was on my way to the Tucson rodeo parade. I was fortunate enough to win second place in the "Best Mounted Western Female" category then I was off to the Thursday performance of the Tucson La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros Rodeo. It was impressive to see completely full bleachers of fans. Tucson can easily claim that they have the best rodeo fans in Arizona. I would like to thank the parade committee for their kindness and generosity for taking care of me and my horse, Yellow. Friday, there was terrible weather, it rained, hailed, snowed and had sunshine all during the rodeo performance. It was so awesome to see so many die-hard fans stay through the storm. After Saturday's performance, I had the honor of signing autographs with Marvin Garrett and Larry Sandwick. During the Tucson week-end, it was fun talking with so many rodeo queen friends. I would like to thank Davey and Kathy Ruiz of Globe for providing a horse for me to use during the Tucson rodeo week-end. Yellow the horse, was such a gentleman and did a great job for never carrying a flag before. I would also like to thank Sandy and Tiffany Lockhart for providing me with a place to stay. I would also like to thank Julie Hernandez, Tucson Queen coordinator, for all her support and helping with NAPA banners.

Later Saturday, I was on my way to the official coronation of the 2001 Lost Dutchman Days queens. I would like to tell the 2000 queens they did a wonderful job. Sunday morning, February 25, I got great news, I found out my horse, Surprize, was off the bench and back into the game. I was able to use her for the Sunday performance at Apache Junction Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo. I would like to thank Dick Reason and the Carrs for their support and help with my horse's healing path.

I would like to end this month by reminding people that friends are life's greatest gift. Thank your friends for all that they do small and large. I want to tell all my friends thanks for everything and that I love them.

The next few mile markers down the Turquoise Circuit trail are:

Cave Creek Fiesta Days Rodeo April 7th-8th

Safford's Cotton N' Copper Rodeo May 5th-6th

Miss Rodeo Arizona Pageant Payson, Az May 10th-13th

Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo in Payson, Az May 12th-13th

Copper Dust Stampede Rodeo/Queen Contest Globe, Az May 26th-28th

Happy Trails, and I hope to see you at the next rodeo event.

Jessica Listiak

2001 Miss Turquoise Circuit