Payson Welcomes The 2002 Miss Rodeo Arizona Pageant
by Dennis Fendler
Arizona's Rodeo Royalty saga began in 1958 with Karen Womack Vold's Crown and continues forty-one young ladies later with Kate Cox, our 2001 Ambassador. The Copper State's rich Tradition of Rodeo Pageantry and Western Heritage has influenced and shaped many a competitor's life and become a focal point for role model and character development. The Pageant began nineteen years ago and is enjoying its fifth year in beautiful Rim Country. Along with the Spring PRCA Rodeo (Gary Hardt Memorial) The "Silver Crown Showdown", as its been come to be known, attract Royalty from every corner of Arizona, as well as many out of state Queens who experience a wonderful weekend of events. The Pageant is spearheaded by the Miss Rodeo Arizona Inc. Board of Directors (MRAz Inc.) and a wonderful local planning Committee in Payson, who work diligently throughout the year to ensure a quality. competition and commitment to young women aspiring to their Dreams and Goals in Life. The Miss Rodeo Arizona Program has graduated many into Success and strives to keep bringing that opportunity throughout our State...
This year's Competition will begin Thursday, May 16th, with Contestant Registration and run through Sunday, May 19th, with the Coronation of our 2002 Ambassador and introduction at the final afternoon performance of the Rodeo at the Payson Rodeo Arena. The Schedule of Events are listed as follows (Events Open to the Public):
• Thursday May 16th 1pm Horsemanship-Payson Rodeo Arena 6 pm Steak Fry sponsored by the Payson Rodeo Committee
• Friday May 17th 2 pm Personal Appearances/Autograph Signing at Corral West-Bashas Shopping Center in Payson 6 pm Dinner-Informal Modeling/State Speech and Extemporaneous Questions- entertainment by Ashley Thomaselli -Apache Tribal Activity Center
• Saturday May 18th 12 noon Luncheon/Formal Fashion Show/Impromtu Questions- entertainment by Ann James -Apache Tribal Center 6 pm Rodeo Performance-Payson Rodeo Arena
• Sunday May 19th 9 am Coronation Brunch/Awards-Scholarship Presentations/Crowning of Miss Rodeo Arizona 2002-Apache Tribal Center 1pm Rodeo Performance/Introduction of Miss Rodeo Arizona 2002-Payson Rodeo Arena
Miss Rodeo Arizona's Scholarship Program is vital to the Pageant and enables the top four finishers in the Competition to further their scholastic studies and goals.
This year, the generous contributions to the Program have raised the total amount in Scholarship Funding to $4000 dollars. In addition, two Awards, the Essay Award (Savings Bond) and the Sales Achievement Award have been raised to $250 dollars. MRAz Inc. and all supporters of the Scholarship would like to thank all 2001 and 2002 Sponsors for making this possible...
For the Competition for 2002, four candidates are vying for the coveted State Title:
Heather Freeman, Maria Gomez, Jessica Lipstick, and Mandy Rau.
Heather Freeman comes to Payson as the 2001 Cave Creek Fiesta Days Queen. She has also held titles as the Flagstaff Pine Country Pro Rodeo Teen Queen and the Tucson Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo Princess. Her dream for the past twenty-one years is being realized through diligence in Education as a junior at the University of Arizona with a Political Science major and plans for law school with an interest in Agriculture and land law...as well as her devotion to her love for horses and Rodeo. "Dreams do come true," Heather reminds us. Heather Freeman's Dreams were born on the family ranch in Williams, Arizona...
Maria Gomez has learned to be determined in her Dream very early in life. Her first riding lesson had Maria almost falling off her mount due to a loose girth, but she hung on and continued her quest in Competition in Hunter/Jumper Events. At age 12 she competed in Rodeo and Western riding. Then came her excellence in High School /Junior Association Events and the present as Competitor in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) for Arizona State University, New Mexico Rodeo Association, and the Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo association, where she is the Break-a-way Director. Maria's Education covers a degree in Psychology from Central Arizona College, Phi Beta Kappa honor Society, and further studies at Arizona State University. Maria's coveted Royalty Titles include 1998 Gilbert Days Queen and 1999 Cave Creek Fiesta Days Queen. This year Maria Gomez is honored to be sponsored by the Payson Rodeo Committee and represent Payson at the Pageant...
Jessica Listiak's Dream started when a family friend had a horse that needed a child...That horse, Arizona's Blue Flower changed Jessica's life and she became an award winning horsewoman riding at one speed-fast! Throughout her early career, Jessica raised many award winning 4-H animals and earned many championship buckles. As a leader in 4-H in the State, Jessica became one of ten 4-H members in America for the National Ad Design Team. Jessica is a top Scholar, having earned a Horizon Award, her junior year in High School, a membership in Golden Key International Honor Society, Alpha Lambda Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, and the Dean's High Honors List. She is a Senior at Northern Arizona University, working towards a dual major in Psychology/Education. She enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities such as Barrel Racing, four-wheeling, skiing, and fishing. Jessica Listiak is living her dream which includes becoming Miss Rodeo Arizona...
Mandy Rau has a Dream that encompasses the Western Heritage and Way of life. Born into a family, rich in tradition and values of Rodeo (Third Generation Rodeo Family), Mandie learned the
ropes from her parents and grandparents, the owners of Clark's Arena for 28 years. Mandie was 5 years old when she started riding in the Arizona Junior Rodeo Association with her brother for ribbon-roping. Mandie graduated from Marana High School as an Honor Roll student, was Vice President for her FFA Chapter, and attended the ASU FFA Conference. Mandie, being quite the athlete, lettered in three Varsity Sports. Mandie has been attending Pima College and will graduate in May 2002. Then it's on to the University of Arizona to get her Bachelors in Equine Science. Mandy Rau-1999 Tucson Rodeo Queen...Friendly, Enthusiastic, Athletic, Dedicated, Goal Oriented...
These four dream seekers will compete for the Crown and the Winner will earn the right to compete in December 2002 for the National Title of Miss Rodeo America in Las Vegas at the Annual NFR Convention/Rodeo. Many supporters, family and friends will be on hand to cheer the contestants on as well as many special guests and invitees, which include the out of state Royalty...This year, the list includes State Queens from Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Washington. Arizona Royalty is always well represented with the Turquoise Circuit Queen for 2002, Christina Davis, and our Ariz. State High School Rodeo Queen Wannette Wilson, along with the numerous local title and sponsored Arizona Rodeo Ambassadors that are the most important among the supporters of this Pageant, because they share the same Dream as the Contestants. Media Interest is always appreciated and the BRIDLE & BIT will be there.
For information/tickets/rodeo/accommodations the contact numbers are:
Information:(Contestant/General) Pat Rudd (928) 474-2651 or Jo Barriger (928) 474-8560
Tickets: *TICKET RESERVATION DEADLINE-MONDAY MAY 6th* (non-refundable and pre-paid) Mail to: Nancy Ayers 610 W. Sherwwod Drive Payson AZ 85541 (928) 474-2594 PH/Fax email at nayers@cybertrails.com
Rodeo: Bill Armstrong (928) 474-2618 or Ruth/Bob Klaver at (928) 474-8837
Travel/Lodging: Verlinda Scott-State Delegate (520) 568-2349 email at cyscott@cgmailbox.com Kate Cox MRAz at asrodeoquuen@earthlink.net
Host Hotel: Inn of Payson 1-800-247-9477
*The Miss Rodeo Arizona 2002 Pageant welcomes all visiting State Queens*
To donate silent auction items to the contest contact Pat Rudd (928) 474-2651
Everyone have a pleasant and safe trip to and from Payson..The Town of Payson wishes all contestants Good luck and hopes to see ya at the Contest and the Rodeo!...
