8-20-11 Press Party & Contract Signing

Shelby & MROP Inc. Executive Board

Official Contract Signing

Official Press Release Photo provided by Heather Jones Photography

August 20, 2011

 Contact:           Lynn Haynes

                        MRA National Director-Oregon, MROP, Inc.

                        503.628.0555

                         Stephanie Hedin

                        1st Vice President/Pageant Director, MROP, Inc

                        541-588-0396

For Immediate Release:

1st Lady of Oregon Rodeo Named at 54th Annual Canby Rodeo

Shelby Ross of Sisters, Oregon has been chosen to represent the state of Oregon as 2012 Miss Rodeo Oregon.  She accepted the crown finalizing the 4-day Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant held in conjunction with the 54th Annual Canby Rodeo held during the 105th Clackamas County Fair.  This is the first year for the partnership between Canby Rodeo, the 2010 Large Rodeo of the Year for the Columbia River Circuit, and Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant, Inc.

Contestants included Jeanne Dudley of Oregon City, Amber Overstreet of Hillsboro, and Ross.  Mardee Swanson, North Platte, Nebraska; Raylah Holm, Ellensburg, Washington; and Frankie Engel, Clements, California judged the three contestants.

Besides the 2012 Miss Rodeo Oregon award, contestants received category awards for various categories throughout the pageant:

Along with the title, Ross won the categories of Appearance, Personality, Written Test and the coveted Horsemanship Award.  Amber Overstreet won the categories of Speech, congeniality, and First Runner Up.   Jeanne Dudley won the MRO Spirit Award.

In addition, Shelby won the People’s Choice Award and Sales Achievement Award for the highest sales in raffle tickets and program advertisements. She especially wanted to thank her local supporters: Leavitts, Desperado, the Sisters Rodeo Association Moonstruck Chocolates, Farleigh Wada & Witt, Ross Electric and Lanz Industrial Welding, as well as family and friends.

Hostess of the pageant, 2011 Miss Rodeo Oregon, Mackenzie Carr will complete her reign as the current Miss Rodeo Oregon by competing in the 2012 Miss Rodeo America Pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo. 

Carr of Vernonia said that title has been  “…life changing” as she has toured the state educating others about the rodeo sport and its impact on the state’s economy. Carr previously attended Oregon State University studying Civil Engineering and will be transferring to earn an Architectural degree, minoring in Speech Communications.

When awarded the 2012 honor, Ross noted that “…rodeo isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life.  It is determination and perseverance, dedication and teamwork, patriotism, and pride.  I have the heart and passion to promote the sport and our strong rodeo family values, reigning as Miss Rodeo Oregon.”

She represented the Sisters Rodeo for 2010 and competed for four years on the Sisters High School Equestrian Team and was Co-Captain for two years.  She also competed on the Sisters High School Golf Team winning the state championships in both 2007 and 2008.  She is currently attending Oregon State University majoring in Elementary Education with plans to teach second grade.

Carr, Ross and the Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant Director, Stephanie Hedin would like to thank the cities of Oregon City and Canby.  They especially want to thank the Canby Rodeo Board and their directors, including Dan Michelson, President, for all of their hard work and partnership for their first year as a team.  Hedin states “The Canby Rodeo was very gracious and a wonderful venue for our program.” 

Carr and Ross will both receive scholarships in the amount of $1500 at the completion of their respective reigns and Overstreet will receive a  $500 scholarship.

Next on Ross’s schedule for her new title will be attending the Miss Rodeo Oregon  “Royal Cruise-In” Classic Car Show, being held at the Laurel Ridge Winery in Carlton on September 17, 2011.

Please visit our website at www.missrodeooregon.org for all upcoming events and more information on all of the programs offered by the Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant, Inc.

Photo Courtesy of Heather Jones Photography

2012 Miss Rodeo Oregon, Shelby Ross of Sisters