Riding the Turquoise Circuit Trail

by Jessica Listiak, Miss Turquoise Circuit 2001

(L-R): Emily Acord, Katie McNeeley, Betsy Rose Rice, Stephani Flemming, Jessica Listiak & Anna Noe

I hope to find that everyone's summer has been going well. I have enjoyed being able to visit Northern Arizona to escape the summer's heat. The weekend of May 26th-27th, 2001, Globe had its 33rd Annual Copper Dust Stampede Rodeo. The Copper Dust Stampede is a very special rodeo for me because it is my hometown and I was the 2000 Miss Copper Dust Stampeded PRCA Rodeo Queen. The Copper Dust Rodeo Committee kept my court, Amanda Jo Miller, Miss Teen Copper Dust and Jessica Keller, Miss Jr. Teen Copper Dust and I, very busy during rodeo week. Their queen contest started bright and early Saturday morning with horsemanship. Then a quick trip across town to Bullion Plaza for speeches and modeling. I was thrilled to be the Master of Ceremonies during the Queen contest. I think I entertained the crowd with my jokes and funny stories; well, at least they applauded when I ran out of jokes. Well, all kidding aside, each of the contestants did a wonderful job competing for the crown for Miss Copper Dust 2001. Next in the day's agenda was the Copper Dust Rodeo Parade which I was honored to lead down Main Street of Globe.

I want to thank the Copper Dust Rodeo Committee for giving me the honor of presenting a Ring of Roses to salute my court - Amanda Jo Miller, Miss Teen Copper Dust and Jessica Keller, Miss Jr. Teen Copper Dust and I for a job well done this year. I want to thank everyone who presented me with roses, hugs and tears. Keith, Sharon and Jarrod Listiak, my family, Grandma Billie and Grandpa Buster Leep, Matt, the Millers, The Ruizs, The Carrs, Becky Hinson, My Copper Dust Court, The Copper Dust Rodeo Committee, Rodeo Royalty and many more of my friends that have supported and helped me this year. I was humbled by all who showed up to say good-bye to me as Miss Copper Dust 2000.

Saturday night's performance of the Copper Dust Rodeo went by fast, presenting the colors, chasing cattle, running flags and helping the rodeo committee as needed. What a great job the Custer Brothers' Way Out West Rodeo Company did. Then, back to Bullion Plaza for the announcement of the 2001 Miss Copper Dust. I crowned Kristen Polenz, 2001 Miss Copper Dust, who is a very nice young lady and will do a wonderful job representing Globe. I also crowned Kristen Cobelis, Miss Teen Copper Dust; Chezera Valteria, Miss Jr. Copper Dust; and Kaylie Powell, Lil' Miss Copper Dust. I hope each of the newly crowned rodeo royalty will have a great year. This year our local college, Gila Pueblo Eastern Arizona College, donated a full ride scholarship to Miss Copper Dust 2001, Kristen Plenz. Thank you, Gila Pueblo.

Sunday's performance started with my favorite part of rodeo, working with kids and teaching them about rodeo. I am talking about the Little Buck-a-roo Rodeo. The kids had to go as fast as they can, riding stick horses around the Copper Dust Royalty in the barrel and poles pattern. Everyone had a great time watching these kids, who knows, one of them could be a rodeo champion someday. I want to congratulate the Copper Dust Rodeo Committee for a successful rodeo and allowing me to be a huge part of it. Thank you!

June 1st I was in Payson to help with the Relay for Life, a team event to fight cancer. The Arizona Rodeo Sweethearts, which consists of current, past and future rodeo queens, helped out with this function, which was held at Rumsey Park in Payson, Arizona. I was truly honored to be able to pin ribbons of hope on all cancer survivors as part of the opening ceremonies, and was surprised at how many familiar faces were among the cancer survivors. I was pleased to walk the first lap and inspired to see all the survivors walking their first lap which kept me walking for most of the night. The Sweethearts held a silent auction and a rummage sale to help raise money for this event. At 9 p.m. the Luminary Ceremony was held and music was played by bagpiper Michael Fowler, which was beautiful to hear and see. I want to thank everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to help. For more information on free programs and services provided by the American Cancer Society, call (800) ACS-2345 or visit the web at www.cancer.org. I want to thank the Rodeo Sweethearts for inviting me to be a part of the Relay for Life.

The next day, June 2nd, 2001, I was in Flagstaff to watch the Pine Country PRCA Rodeo Queen Contest horsemanship. All the girls did a wonderful job. Later that night, I had the joy of helping with the Trappings of the American West Show and Auction held at the beautiful Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff. This event was sponsored by the Dry Creek Arts Fellowship which celebrates the cowboy and the American West exhibit of 72 artist' works, lectures, concerts and other special events. The Trappings of the American West exhibit is so unique and exquisite, that a traveling version of the show will be displayed at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. The Dry Creek Arts Fellowship was founded as a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and further development of Western Art. For more information, contact the Dry Creek Arts Fellowship at (520) 774-8861 or visit their website at www.drycreekarts.com. I had a wonderful time, and I also made a few bids and came home with a few treasures.

I hope to see you on the Turquoise Circuit Trail at some of the upcoming events:

· Prescott's Frontier Days, June 29th-July 4th, 2001 · Payson's World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo, August, 2001

· Williams Labor Day PRCA Rodeo, Williams, Arizona September 1st-3rd, 2001.

Anyone who would like information about the Turquoise Circuit Queen Contest, which is held in conjunction with the finals in January 2002, contact Nancy Jane Hunter at (520) 975-6325.