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2009 Contestants
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Age: 21
Hometown: Garland
Parents: Bart and Terry Bardwell
Education: Student at Weber State University, pursuing a degree in medical diagnostic sonography
Hobbies: Tammy enjoys the summer air by boating, wakeboarding, tubing, dancing, playing softball, trail riding and competing in reining competitions. When the temperatures drop, she enjoys snowboarding, reading, shopping for shoes and watching movies while drinking hot cups of cocoa.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: "Rodeo is a way of life that has affected me from an early start. Growing up while watching my brothers in bull riding competitions planted a seed in me -- a seed of love and passion for the sport that has brought my family closer together. As Miss Rodeo Utah I would love to join the dedicated team of people that is working to ensure that rodeo's legacy will continue on to win the hearts of Utahns and allow for future generations to reap its rewards."
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Age: 20
Hometown: Garland
Parents: Cort and Tammy Berry
Education: Sophomore at Snow College, working toward a degree that would lead to a career in the medical field
Hobbies: KariAnne enjoys basketball, softball bowling, snowboarding and running. Her passion, however, is all of the various events that make up the sport of rodeo. She enjoys barrel racing, pole bending and showing horses. She also enjoys camping and four-wheeling with her family, hanging out with her friends and keeping touch by text message or Facebook.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: “It has been said that arriving at point is the starting point of another. My journey to Miss Rodeo Utah has been exactly that. In my travels there have been some rough spots and a few detours but I find that my arrival here is a starting point on a road of endless possibilities and countless opportunities. To me reaching the destination of Miss Rodeo Utah would be a two-fold accomplishment. First, It would give me the opportunity to serve the great state of Utah and my western heritage by promoting the life and sport that I love. It would be my honor to serve as an ambassador of Professional Rodeo. As the western way of life is dear to my heart, I would delight in the opportunity to share it with others. Secondly, I would gain experience to enrich my journey through life. I would seize the moment, and expand my horizons. I would travel, meet people from all walks of life, achieve greater confidence, build character and make memories that last a lifetime. I would take seriously my responsibility as a representative of the cowboys and cowgirls and conduct myself accordingly. As Miss Rodeo Utah, it would be my objective to be quick with my smile, friendly with my wave, generous with my time and role model to all." |
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Age: 23
Hometown: Parowan
Parents: Bill and Debbie Grimm
Education: Loy has earned an associates of arts degree from Dixie State College, where she is currently pursuing a bachelor's in education
Hobbies: Loy's hobbies include roping, reining, showing or branding. She loves being involved with children, whether it is in the arena, on the stage or in the classroom. She enjoys being around family and friends, hanging out and playing games.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: "I love the journey of hard work. The rodeo way of life is the cowboy's way of being able to achieve his goals while doing what he loves. I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah so I can support and sponsor the sport of rodeo. I want to share my experiences with others. I have always found myself being a role model to the younger generation. By becoming Miss Rodeo Utah, I will be able to continue serving those around me and setting a good example for all those I come in contact with."
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Age: 23
Hometown: Riverton
Parents: Derk and Denise Henderson and Lark and Dave Kummer
Education: Earned an associates degree from Salt Lake Community College, plans to seek a bachelor's degree in nutrition. She's also working to become certified as a fitness professional with the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Hobbies: Stormy loves to work out and feels it is an essential part of staying mentally balanced and physically healthy. Dancing is one her favorite forms of exercise, but she also enjoys a good cycling class, kickboxing and weightlifting, as well. Sports also have been a favored pastime. She's been on basketball, softball and volleyball teams for most of her life -- and feeds off a little friendly competition. Horsemanship, however, is her passion, whether she's on the trail or in the arena.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: "To know where I am going I must know where I have been -- but history doesn't start with me. It began with the pioneer cowboys and cowgirls who settled this land and started the civilization of this wonderful state of Utah. They gave their blood, sweat and tears to do so. I am so thankful for the example of relentless effort these people displayed to survive by farming and raising livestock to build a community that is the strong, thriving society of today. I seek to inspire the community with the same pride instilled in me by those who blazed the trails of our western heritage … Within every girl there is a dream that burns inside her soul brighter than any flame she holds. With the grace of God and loving parents to nurture this dream, the curtain opens and a staircase of opportunity appears. The steps of the staircase lead her to where she is meant to be, and will carry her to the triumphant stage she desires so deeply. As a cowgirl whose heart beats to the hooves that pound the dirt of the rodeo arena, I believe there is no greater honor than to represent the professional sport of rodeo in the land of the free and the home of the brave. I am humbled by the experiences I have had while standing on each one of my personal steps of achievement and opportunity. My hope is that those steps lead to the privilege of serving as Miss Rodeo Utah." |
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Age: 19
Hometown: Smithfield
Education: Attending Utah State University, seeking a degree in public relations
Hobbies: Jackie enjoys anything that takes her outdoors, especially four-wheeling, camping, hiking and fishing. She also has a creative side — scrapbooking, oil painting and sketch drawing are among her favorite ways to pass the time. Her passion, however, is rodeo — and barrel racing is in her blood.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: “I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah because it would be a dream come true. There is nothing better than representing the great state of Utah through one of the best sports in America. I have a passion for rodeo and I love seeing it succeed. I would be honored to dedicate myself to being a role model and helping others achieve their dreams and goals through my example. Being Miss Rodeo Utah I would strive to expand our western heritage and promote the sport of rodeo. The shoes of Miss Rodeo Utah are big ones to fill. Yet I believe I can represent Utah and bring others to love and appreciate this great sport as well.”
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Age: 18
Hometown: Morgan
Parents: Curt and Carol Pilcher
Education: Graduate of Morgan High School with a certificate specializing in welding. She plans to attend Weber State University in the fall.
Hobbies: Chantell enjoys welding, long-range shooting with her father, photography and riding her horses, Jazzy and Buck. She has been an active member of the horse 4-H program, where she has qualified for state for nine years and received the education award. She also loves to shop -- but money plays a big factor in shopping and most of her money, earned at her job at the Morgan Valley Café, goes toward keeping gas in her truck.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: “It would be an honor and a dream come true to represent this great state of Utah and the western way of life as an ambassador of rodeo. The title of Miss Rodeo Utah would allow me the opportunity to be a leader and demonstrate my core values, positive attitude and my desire to make a difference in promoting the professional sport of rodeo.” |
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Age: 21
Hometown: Fairview
Parents: Wayne Stewart and Kathy Nelson
Education: Earned an associates of science degree from Snow College and has graduated as a cosmetologist from Image Works Academy of Hair Design. She plans to return to school for nursing degree so she can work for LifeFlight or AirMed.
Hobbies: Ashlee can't get enough of the outdoors. When she has spare time, she enjoys trail riding on both horses and ATVs. She also can be found running, shopping, cooking great food at her family's restaurant or watching her favorite television show, "Desperate Housewives." She thinks giving is contagious, and she first caught the "helping bug" when she donated her hair to Locks of Love. Services to others has been a favorite pastime, and she's organized several blood drives in her community.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: "As a young girl growing up around horses and livestock, I have always had a fondness for cowboys, rodeo, livestock and the western way of life. As I have branched out to pursue my education and career goals and made the move from rural living to a quicker pace of life, my love for small-town living and the job of the American cowboy has deepened. "Miss," "Rodeo" and "Utah" are the three words that define me. I am a lady with grace and dignity; rodeo is my passion; and Utah is my home, my true love and where I am proud to say my roots will always be grounded. Utah has been rich with western tradition since the early 20th century. As Miss Rodeo Utah, I would love to reveal the importance of our rodeo history with the new generations of Utahns. I would be honored to serve as a spokesperson for a legacy that has won my heart and the hearts of so many others in the rodeo family. The values that cowboys represent are admirable. Honesty, integrity and pride are just a few of the traits I respect in cowboys and cowgirls and just a few of the characteristics I would emulate as Miss Rodeo Utah." |
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Age: 19
Hometown: Roosevelt
Parents: Eloy and Kathy Torres
Education: Graduate of Uintah Basin High School, plans to attend Utah State University classes in the fall. She wants to earn a degree in social work and counseling.
Hobbies: Regan likes snorkeling anywhere, but her favorite watering hole is Kaneohe Bay Hawaii. She loves dancing and scrap booking as well as sending text messages to her friends and family.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: "Earning the title of Miss Rodeo Utah would be a tremendous opportunity to represent a sport that I honor and appreciate. Being involved in rodeo both at the local and regional level has deepened my love and knowledge of the sport. Over the years of watching the rodeo gates swing wide, I've learned valuable lessons of love and life, friendship and hardship, commitment and courage. Life on the back of a horse has taught me the meaning of hard work and true determination. My work ethic, integrity and love for the sport will allow me to represent rodeo with everlasting respect." |
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Age: 20
Hometown: Pine Valley
Parents: Jim and Beverly Udell
Education: Jamie is a senior at Dixie State College, majoring in communications. She also is an Emergency Medical Technician.
Hobbies: Jamie enjoys trail riding, camping, going to rodeos, teaching children how to drive pony-drawn cars and going to the movies with her family.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: I have two reasons for wanting to become Miss Rodeo Utah. The first is for me personally. I believe that being in a rodeo pageant and afterwards serving as queen helps girls grow into incredible women. We learn interview skills, poise, grace and communication skills. We learn that life should be about what you can do to serve others. We learn how to work effectively with people, how to make new friends and meet awesome people. And I get to do it all with a horse -- life can't get better than that! But the second reason, which is even more important than the first, is that I would get the opportunity to be a voice in promoting rodeo, the cowboy way of life and a love for horses. As housing and business development continue to crowd out horse and cattle property, I watch so many people who don't get the opportunity to experience the art of rodeo and what an awesome sport it is. So many of the kids that come to visit our ponies have never even touched a horse before. How sad! I hope that as Miss Rodeo Utah I can help bring this opportunity to people who might not otherwise be able to experience it. I also hope that with my being Miss Rodeo Utah it will open doors to further bring the passion and love that I have for horses and rodeo to people with disabilities." |
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Age: 23
Hometown: Heber City
Parents: Randy and Tami Wade
Education: Currently a senior at Weber State University, pursuing a degree in Accounting
Sports and hobbies: Chris has many hobbies and a passion for a variety of sports and activities. She holds the title of Wii boxing and bowling champion in the Wade family and friends tournament. More important than holding the title is the priceless enjoyment of watching her Mom and Dad compete against each other in Wii boxing! She enjoys outdoor sports, especially snowmobiling and four-wheeling, and team sports such as basketball and softball. She loves photography and scrap-booking, as well as cooking. Chris is a pool shark, likes to go target shooting, can play a mean hand of cards, and learned all the tricks from her grandpa. She also loves shopping, spending time with friends and family, as well as cuddling her 4-pound Pomeranian puppy, Reece.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: “My Grandpa Wade passed away when my dad was just a young child. I have been told countless stories about him and how amazing he was. My family tells me that he dreamed of having his own little rodeo queen. I guess you could say that dream has traveled through two generations, because rodeo is in my blood. My parents taught me to be proud of my actions, to finish what I start, and that anything worth doing is worth doing well. My brothers and I put our hearts into everything we do. Our home is decorated with a few of the 46 saddles my dad, two brothers and I have won, and my favorite family vacation sites are the grassy infields of Utah’s arenas. I have been competing in queen contests for 10 years and my grandpa’s dream, my goal, the ultimate accomplishment, is being chosen to serve as Miss Rodeo Utah. Over the years it has evolved from the dream of a little girl wanting to be princess to a young woman proud of who I am and, more importantly, realizing just how honored I would be to represent the rodeos, committee and cowboys of the state of Utah. As Miss Rodeo Utah, I would have the opportunity to share my knowledge and love for the sport of rodeo with those seeing it for the first time or with those who also have a passion for the greatest show on dirt." |
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Age: 19
Hometown: Lehi
Education: A graduate of Lehi High School, currently attending Utah Valley University
Parents: Mitch and Deanna Wardle
Sports and hobbies: Martina enjoys doing anything outdoors, especially skeet shooting with her grandfather, hiking Mt. Timpanogos and working in the yard with her mother. She loves swing dancing and running. During the summer, she can be found quilting in her grandma's backyard. She is constantly taking pictures of all the crazy things she does with friends and often attempts to break the world record for the number of text messages sent in one day.
Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah: "I spent a lot of time with my grandpa when I was younger. He let me put curlers in his hair, convinced me that John Wayne movies were more interesting than cartoons and taught me how to ride. He often tells me stories of his life. Many of the stories revolve around rodeo. The big wins or big wrecks have always been my favorites. Just as my grandpa did in his day, my cousins and I have developed our own rodeo memories. No matter if we landed in the pay out or just landed in the dirt, we can agree that every performance taught us character, values and perseverance. It is because of these experiences that I know I want to be a representative for the sport of rodeo. Anyone who has participated would agree that rodeo is so much more than a source of entertainment: Rodeo is a way of life. The world of rodeo is a culture of courage, strength and kindness. Rodeo queens play a special part in this culture. A line from a history book perfectly articulates my feelings that "the rodeo queen is a symbol of rodeo" and "a metaphor for western women." It is no small responsibility to be a symbol, especially for a sport with such a long and prestigious heritage … She welcomes current fans and invites new ones to share the traditions of our wild sport. Her sincere smile and sparkling crown undeniably catch every little girl's attention. Everyone is a role model for someone in their life, but I believe the people who choose to be in the spotlight have a greater responsibility to the people around them. If I am given the opportunity to act as Miss Rodeo Utah I will represent the people, sport and state I love with integrity and diligence." |
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