Special Olympics

Never in my life have my eyes been filled with so many tears.  Now don’t get me wrong…not a single tear was out of sadness, but instead joy, happiness, and the feeling of camaraderie that seemed to saturate the air in Great Falls last week.  It was the Special Olympics State Games.  Each athlete with their own needs, but for three days in Great Falls they were the stars.  The focus was turned to each one of the 1,000+ athletes. 

The first day I attended gymnastics which ranged from floor exercises to vaulting and beam exercises.  Most of the event I was with the Bozeman team, and giggled a lot with one of the younger athletes, Katie.  The best part was presenting metals at the end of the event and I even got to put a couple of gold metals around Katie’s neck.  Later that night I attended the VIP Reception along with Miss Montana, Kristen, and Miss Montana USA, Tori.  Following the reception was the opening ceremonies, where they packed all of the athletes, families, and volunteers into the Four Seasons for an evening filled with entertainment.  High Street Band was decked out in bright colored suits and played some awesome dancing music and even rodeo clown extraordinaire Flint Rasmussen came to entertain the packed house.

The next morning I found myself out at Eagle Mount for the equestrian portion of the games.  It was great to be surrounded by athletes that shared the same passion as I do, horses.  During the day I helped to co-announce the event with Dale Sivumaki.  At the end of the day we were back at the Four Seasons where it was the carnival and dance.  Kristen and I signed autographs until we thought our hands were going to fall off!  But that’s okay because we took a quick break to go dance!  After a long day and way too much fun Kristen and I stopped for a quick ice cream at the golden arches before heading back to the hotel for the night.

Friday morning we headed to track which was then followed by the closing ceremonies.  All day we did awards, which was great to see the excitement from the athletes as they received the metals that they had worked so hard for. 

To say the least about my experience at the Montana Special Olympics State Games, it was and inspiration.  

 

Helena Middle School

The first Friday in May was Vigilante day for the 6th graders of Helena Middle School.  The 6th grade learned all about rodeo and each event, they had a cowboy poet, a former rodeo competitor, a rodeo queen (me!), or maybe I should say two since Ms. Erickson the PE teacher is a former Miss Rodeo Montana from 1977.  Not only did the students learn about all of the events, but they got a chance to try their luck at each event.  From roping to barrel racing and bull riding to bull dogging the 6th grade got to do it all!

I helped demonstrate and explain the events along with Jason Harrison, but why did Miss Rodeo Montana have to ride the bull?  I can tell you all about bull riding, but not how to do it!  Yes, you guessed it…Miss Rodeo Montana fell off the bull!!  But not to worry…I cowgirled up and jumped back on and made a much more impressive ride, this time for 8 seconds.  I can’t say enough about how well behaved, kind, and polite the students at Helena Middle School are.  I hope they enjoyed me visiting their school as much as I did!

Governors Conference on Tourism

At the end of April I was able to attend the Governors Conference on Tourism in West Yellowstone.  It was a real “eye-opener” as to how many wonderful hospitable people and places we have to offer visitors in Montana; along with the great opportunities Montana has in the tourism industry.

Through the 3 day conference I was able to sit in on sessions covering anything from international tourism to the “no child left inside” initiative.  I also learned a ton about the history of West Yellowstone and the buildings there.  Not to mention finding all of the shopping and eating “hot spots” in West Yellowstone during one of the evening’s GeoCache activities.  The next day I went snowshoeing for my first time in Yellowstone National Park.  How could i not fall in love with snowshoeing when there was the Madison River with bison all around for the scenery?

I loved the time I spent in West Yellowstone and I hope I can go back agian and spend more time discovering all the town and park has to offer.

State FFA Convention

The FFA State Convention in Bozeman was an inspiration to me.  I have never met so many well mannered, enthusiastic high school students.  For three days I was able to visit and sign autographs with FFA students from around the state.  But I have a feeling that most of them really came to my booth to brush up on their roping skills.  Luckily for me Jeff at Grizzly Saddlery in Great Falls was kind enough to lend me the Little Blue Heeler to take along for the week. 

And thanks to Garrett I started to learn a little bit of trick roping…watch out Tomas here I come!

To round out the event the keynote speaker for the awards ceremony was former Miss Rodeo America, Ashley Andrews.  I think everyone enjoyed listening to Ashley’s triumphs and trials over beating cancer and becoming Miss Rodeo America, not to mention the jokes along the way.   

Miss Rodeo Montana Coronation Gala

I can’t say I actually remember that much of my Coronation Gala because it happened so fast!  It took months of hard work to actually put the evening together and I can’t thank sponsors, donors, and my family and friends enough for all of their help.  The Hilton Garden Inn was the perfect location, with amazing food and a great atmosphere.  With the help of PRCA Announcer, Barney Sheridan, and auctioneer, Bo Carpenter of Kalispell the program and live auction went great!  I would like to say a huge thank you to the Matz Family who purchased the rocking horse my grandfather made and then gave it back for me to auction again.  I can’t tell the Matz’s how much I appreciate their support and friendship, thank you.  After the auction was over it was time to do some dancing with Shane Clouse and Stomping Ground!  We had a great evening.  The only problem was that there were so many of my favorite people all in one place, and not enough time to catch up with all of them.  I can’t thank everyone enough who was there that night to support me and my endeavors as Miss Rodeo Montana

Malmstrom “Standup” and Wild Wild West Night

Once I arrived at the Air Force Base Monday morning I was taken across the base to attend ” Wing Standup.”  Each Monday morning all of the  commanders on the base gather for a meeting to discuss whats happening on the base.  I was in the Serive Squadron’s part of the meeting to help promote the Wild Wild West Night that was coming up that Friday.  

The Wild Wild West Night was held over at ”The Club” on base, and was a night filled with poker, blackjack, craps, food, and dancing.  Every person who attended was givin $10,000 Buckaroo Bucks and was wished the best of luck at the tables.  At the end of the evening there was a live auction where you could spend your buckaroo bucks to purchase some awesome action items.  A dance with me was the final auction item, and my dance was sold for $4.7million!!!  It was a great evening, and best of all I learned how to play craps.  Vegas here I come!