Miss Rodeo Idaho Inc.

The first thing I noticed about South Dakota was that it is Cold!   Luckily the state queens were able to stay indoors most of the time visitng Rapid City elemantary schools.  The students were very excited to see all the rodeo queens.

My room mate for the week was Miss Rodeo Virginia, Anita Moorhead.  Pre-rodeo events included signing autograph sheets every day in the Rodeo Zone.  Many queens were encouraged to ride the mechanical bull – we sure gathered a crowed every time one of us would ride!  I also was able to attend my first Ranch rodeo.

A trip to South Dakota isn’t complete without a visit to Mount Rushmore.   The Mount Rushmore staff were listening to us on the radio while we were talking about our visit to the National Monument and were ready and waiting for us when we arrived.  They allowed us to stand on the wall for pictures.  There wasn’t another person in sight, it was like we had this great monument all to ourselves!

Perhaps the thing touched my heart the most is how the National Anthem was performed every night at The Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo.   Fireworks accompanied the Anthem.    During the words and the rockets red glare a red colored flare shot across the arena.   During the bombs bursting in air a salute fire work boomed.   I immediately pictured a battle during the Revolutionary War. This wonderful display of patriotism ended with Miss Rodeo South Dakota, McKenzie Hailey carrying the American Flag around the arena on a pole that shot fireworks sparks out of the top.