Jessica Listiak Crowned Miss Rodeo Arizona 2002 in Payson
And then there was one...As
anticipating and anxious supporters looked on, the Miss Rodeo Arizona Title
Holder for 2002 was announced and a big smile erupted on Jessica Listiak's face
as she was handed the banner and crown of the most prestigious and important
royalty title in the State...The chance to represent all of Arizona in Rodeo
and related events and, of course the right to go to Las Vegas in December and
compete for the National Title of Miss Rodeo America. Jessica is last year's
Turquoise Circuit Queen and has competed in numerous competitions. The Miss
Rodeo Arizona "Silver Crown Showdown" as it is known, is in its fifth
year in the Payson Area and was held in conjunction with the Gary Hardt Spring
Memorial PRCA Rodeo on May 18-19... The Pageant commenced on Thursday, May 16th
and ended with the Coronation and introduction at the Sunday Rodeo Performance
at the Payson Rodeo Arena.
Thursday's Competition,
emceed by Aimee Tewalt Zimmerman, Miss Rodeo Arizona 2000, included
Horsemanship and Interview as well as a Steak Fry get together hosted by Kate
Cox, Miss Rodeo Arizona 2001, and sponsored by the Payson Rodeo Committee. Then
it was competition with the evening's Informal Modeling and Impromptu
Questioning and Speech hosted by George Cunningham. Then on Saturday, it was
the Formal Modeling and State Speech hosted by John Landino. Finally, after all
the hard work and pressure of the Competition had ended, the contestants were
still sparkling and shining on Sunday morning's brunch and the Coronation....
The four Contestants;
Heather Freeman, Maria Gomez, Jessica Listiak, and Mandy Rau, gave us a fierce
and determined competition and the end result was, a great time, a fun time and
one pageant that will be remembered... The 2002 Miss Rodeo Arizona Pageant
results are as follows:
• First Runner-up-Heather Freeman, $1000 scholarship
• Miss Rodeo Arizona 2002-Jessica Listiak, $2100 scholarship
Total Scholarship money was
$4000 given to Contestants...
Category Award Winners:
Horsemanship-Mandy Rau, Appearance-Jessica Listiak, Personality-Jessica
Listiak, Speech-Jessica Listiak, Photogenics-Maria Gomez, Congeniality-Mandy
Rau, Essay-Heather Freeman, and Sales Achievement-Jessica Listiak.
The new Title Holder was
given several gifts: A beautiful Coyote/white Lambskin Jacket from the Arizona
Trappers Association, the Buckle from Championship Buckles and the Payson Rodeo
Committee, Saddle/Breast Collar from Perkins Cinders/Colin and Verlinda Scott
Miss Rodeo Arizona Banners from Wild West Embroidery/Kate Cox, Banner pin by
Rodeo Rhinestones, one year of nail and hair care-Massage from Martino
Salon/Kelli Pollock and Suchi No, Signature Cards from Perryman’s Western Wear,
and a Hat Can from Laurie Baker. The MRAz signature logo Jacket to Miss Rodeo
Arizona 2002 was provided by MRAz Inc.
The host Hotel for this
Event was the Inn of Payson, and the Competition locations for the Pageant was
provided by the Apache Tribal Activity Center and the Payson Rodeo Arena. The
fantastic food was provided by Cowboy Campfires. As always, Frank and Ellen
Mulkern of Mulkern Photography gave us the beautiful pictures for the
competition and events. The ballots were verified by the CPA firm of Margurite
Turlukis/Me and Stephanie Turlukis. And music and choreography was provided by
Kate Cox Miss Rodeo Arizona 2001/Chad Cox...
MRAz Inc. wishes to thank
all of the Out of State Queens who came a long way for a fun time...Miss Rodeo
Arkansas, Elizabeth Nobles, Miss Rodeo Idaho, Gabbie James, Miss Rodeo
Nebraska, Lori Bortner, Miss Rodeo New Mexico, Staci Evans, Miss Rodeo South Dakota,
Jennifer Ruzas, Miss Rodeo Washington, Michelle Oslie...The Arizona State
Royalty, Miss Rodeo Arizona 2001, Kate Cox, Turquoise Circuit 2002, Christina
Davis, and the Arizona High School Rodeo Queen, Wannette Wilson...and finally
some special thanks...Kate Cox, Marylyn and Chad Cox, the MRAz Board of
Directors, Apache Tribal Center Directors, Officer Orin bass, the Pageant
Judges, George Harris, Cidy Schonholtz, and Stacey Talbott Sinclair, the Payson
Town Committee and the Payson Rodeo Committee, all the Pageant Sponsors, the
people of Payson Arizona and last, but not least, all the supporters,
well-wishers and parents who truly make this Pageant remarkable, memorable, and
a great success...Hats off to our new Queen, Jessica Listiak, Miss Rodeo
Arizona for 2002!
