I have always been a small-town girl with big-time dreams. I met Miss Rodeo Utah at my hometown rodeo when I was 12, and it was then I decided the dream I wanted more than any other was to one day be the young woman wearing the Miss Rodeo Utah crown.
The next 11 years were filled with tears of frustration and joy but every day I made choices that would take me closer to my dream. There were moments when I doubted myself, but I believe in happy endings and knew that if I worked hard enough one day my dream would come true.

One year ago this week my dream became a reality - and I was swept off on a whirlwind experience. As Miss Rodeo Utah, I have

traveled across the country, from San Antonio, Texas, to Kissimmee, Fla. I even traveled north across the border to Calgary. I also made stops in Cheyenne, Wyo., and North Platte, Neb. And I competed for the Miss Rodeo America crown in Las Vegas, where I was chosen fourth-runner up from a field of amazing and talented women.

But my heart has always been in Utah, and I rode in the far corners of the state: St. George to Cache County, Tooele to Vernal and everywhere in between as the breathtaking Utah landscape provided the very best backdrop for PRCA action.
I was greeted with warm smiles and open arms and at each appearance I encountered young people with big dreams. They reminded me how much the title of Miss Rodeo Utah means to me.Watching them chase their dreams fear or doubt reminded me that I need to continue to chase my dreams with the same reckless abandon. The little girl in me is proud of the woman I have become.

I would like to thank a few people who have contributed the most as my fairy tale came true: Glenn Thompson and Donna Keyes, for making me look good wherever I go; Jim Peer, Jerry Ingalsbe, Jim and Paula Smith, Paul and Charlene Tuttle, for their friendship; and Brian, Peggy, Brittany, Felecia, and Amanda Adams, Nicole Cypers, Kristy Davis, Jeff Haney and Autumn McKell for pushing me outside of my comfort zone and making me grow. To Simone Penrod, Tonya Jones, Dana Tracy, Angie Healy and the Woolsey family, I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to get to know all of you better. Mostly, I need to thank my family. You have sacrificed so I could chase my dreams, and I can never repay you for that. Thank you, Utah. And my all your endings be happy ones.