Miss Rodeo Utah coloring book a hit with crowds, kids
By JaNae Francis
Standard-Examiner staff
jfrancis@standard.net
OGDEN - There were parents and relatives of all the contestants as well as a host of future rodeo queens loudly rooting for their favorites Thursday afternoon at the Miss Rodeo Utah horsemanship contest.
But just as excited about the event was Colton Cypers, the 10-year-old son of Nichole Cypers, the director of the pageant.
In addition to cheering the contestants, Colton volunteered to hand out a new coloring book that features the reigning Miss Rodeo Utah, Cami Cushing, on the cover.
Colton said he enjoys helping at and attending the contest each year because he considers the young women his friends.
"I like the rodeo queens," he said. "They are nice, and I like to hang out with them. I just like to play games with them. We play at the hotel we stay at when they are not doing anything."
Jeff Haney, a member of the Miss Rodeo Utah committee, said the young volunteer has become an invaluable asset to the pageant.
"He comes every single year and does whatever his mom asks, and does it with a smile," Haney said.
It's this same type of enthusiasm from the younger generation that committee members were hoping to capture by creating the coloring book.
The six-page pamphlet includes pages for coloring, featuring horses, a barrel racer, an American Indian and a team roper.
It also features a picture of Cushing riding around the arena with the American flag as well as her biography and two close-up photos.
"We're hoping to help the kids to have more to do at the rodeo," Haney said. "The coloring book also will help us to introduce agricultural life to kids."
Haney said the committee has found that inner city kids don't know what bulls and other livestock look like.
Cushing's mother, Carol, said her daughter will be passing out the coloring book throughout Pioneer Days.
She's already distributed many at the Special Kids Rodeo on Tuesday as well as at the children's parade.
Those wanting a copy will just need to locate Cushing sometime during the celebration that runs through July 24 to get one. But you may want to approach her soon.
"Children of all ages wanted them today," Carol Cushing said of the coloring books. "We almost didn't bring enough."
