Reading to McDermitt Combined School 3rd and 4th Graders

Yesterday I was asked to spend some time in Ms. Young's combined 3rd and 4th grade classroom. It was so much fun and the kids asked some wonderful questions. I began by reading one of my favorite western children's books "Why Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On" I love to read and enjoy sharing books with others so this was a real treat for me.
After the reading was over I signed autograph sheets for everyone and then spent the rest of the hour answering questions they had about my title. They even wanted to know if the crown was real and if they could touch it. Cute!

Happy Easter!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson
Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon 2008

Miss Rodeo Oregon Coronation

March 8th was a busy one. My afternoon began with the MROP Inc. monthly meeting. I have attended two now and always enjoy catching up with the people who work so hard to allow people like Ashley, Nichole, and myself to achieve our goals.
I was in St. Helens for the Miss Rodeo Oregon Coronation and fundraiser. Nichole had a wonderful turnout, great food and the music was awesome! We helped sell tickets for the 50/50 raffle and with the live auction. I barely had time to eat but enjoyed every minute of it.
I want to again thank Molly McCarter (Columbia County Princess) and her mother Julie they were kind enough to drive us to and from the airport and let us stay at their house as well.
Spring is in the air and we have nearly 500 baby calves on the ground at the ranch. Branding time is right around the corner which is one of my favorite times of the year and thankfully so is Rodeo Season. I can hardly wait!

See you in Prineville

Staheli Jo Wilkinson
Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon 2008

On the road again...

1700 miles can you believe it, and only three months into the year? I am becoming a regular at the Boise and Portland airports. Now, if we could just learn to pack a little lighter! As you can see by the picture this might be harder than most people can imagine. Dresses, boots and hats are not easily tucked into an overnight bag not, to mention the rollers and hair products!

During the flight to Portland one of the attendants asked me where my horse was it's too bad I didn't think to tell him that he was in my suitcase. I signed an autograph sheet for a little girl named Megan and was thrilled to watch as she showed it to everyone close to her and then began to hug and kiss my picture. It didn't take long for people to begin asking for one of their very own. I love my life.

We had a to switch planes in Seattle on the way home and with only twenty minutes to make the connection it was a race to say the least. We had to get from one end of the airport to the other and it wasn't easy, thank goodness my mom can still run. We made it, but our luggage didn't so we spent a couple extra hours in Boise with my Aunt Deb and Tio Frank waiting on it to arrive. It's a good thing it happend on the way home and not on the way to the MRO coronation. I wouldn't have had anything to wear.

See you down the trail...or in the air!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon 2008

Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo

This last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 19th Annual Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo in Winnemucca, Nevada. It is the largest ranch hand rodeo in the state of Nevada. Over 36 teams competed in seven events which included, Stock Saddle Bronc Riding, Calf Roping, Wild Cow Mugging, Team Roping, Ranch Doctoring, Team Branding and Steer Stopping.

This was my first rodeo as Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon and wow, I had so much fun! They even asked me to help clean the arena during the calf roping. Cody is a working cow horse and I think he may have enjoyed his time in the arena even more than I did.

Saturday the 8th of March we are back in St. Helens. Hope to see you there.

Happy Belated Birthday to Ashley Ekstrom...

Until next time...

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

pictures courtesy of W.T. Bruce Photography