Miss Rodeo Idaho History
The history below was compiled by Kindi Hess, Miss Rodeo Idaho 2000
1945 – 1955
This was a transition period, when International Rodeo Management Association (IRM) conceived the idea of holding state pageants to select contestants for the national event. Which led to the making of Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant.
1956 – 1964
Fran Blomquist of Caldwell was on the Board of the IRM, which allowed him to start the beginnings of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant. The Caldwell Night Rodeo in Caldwell, Idaho was the site for selecting Miss Rodeo Idaho and the Chamber of Commerce served as the President of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Board. Beginning of the rodeo week they held the Caldwell Night Rodeo queen contest (the winner of CNR title was given the option of advancing to the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant as a contestant) the ending of the week the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant was held.
1965 – 1996
Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant moved to Filer, Idaho to be held with the Twin Falls Co. Fair & Rodeo. Dean and Alma Vickers were instrumental in moving the pageant. Dean and Alma would donate their time and motor home to help the current Miss Rodeo Idaho attend all of her duties throughout the state. Later handing over the responsibility to Bob Harvey, Gene Hull, and Tom Shouse.
*Dorothy Alexander, Sherri Arkoosh, Tom Shouse and Don Simplot held significant positions on the Miss Rodeo America Board.
1972
Dean Vickers donated a perpetual Miss Rodeo Idaho Buckle in honor of his wife the late Alma Vickers. The buckle is described as 24ct gold inlays and sterling silver. All of the Rodeo events are present in the design. A garnet was put in the buckle for each Miss Rodeo Idaho who wore it and Rubies for the Miss Rodeo Americas from Idaho. On the back of the buckle is inscribed: Alma Vickers revolving Memorial Buckle presented annually to Idaho's Outstanding Rodeo Queen. This buckle was retired in 1983 and is on display at (Jim) Vickers’ Western Store in Twin Falls, Idaho.
1972
The vision of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Crown was design and made by Kenny Hanson.
1987
The MRI Board of Directors held two pageants to change the year of reign for Miss Rodeo Idaho. Nicole Hymas was crowned Miss Rodeo Idaho 1987 in August (4 months) and attend the Miss Rodeo America Pageant that year. The second young lady Suzanne Stancil was Miss Rodeo Idaho-Elect for the holdover title and started her reign January 1, 1988. Sherri Arkoosh (state delegate) hosted a Miss Rodeo Idaho Reunion in conjunctions with the pageants and the Twin Falls Co. Fair & Rodeo.
1989
Lke mother like daughter. For the 1st time in the history of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant and Miss Rodeo America Pageant, Joni James, a daughter of a former Miss Rodeo Idaho, Karen (Lavens) James, has captured the same coveted honor. And later on in 1990 won the same prestigious title her mother held as Miss Rodeo America. Joni also held the title 1986 National Miss College Rodeo.
1990
Curt and Hal Dodge in Caldwell, Idaho donated the use of a Dodge Dakota Pickup for Rhonda Vedvig the current Miss Rodeo Idaho.
1991
The Board of Directors came up with the concept of Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho for the purpose of fundraising and when Miss Rodeo Idaho was out of state Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho could take over her responsibilities. The business operation was incorporated in the State of Idaho as Miss Rodeo Idaho, Inc.
1994
The Miss Rodeo Idaho Board and Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho Board separated and became their own entities. Rodeos Unlimited, Inc. now hosts the MTRI Pageant in Gooding, Idaho.
1995
The Beginning of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Newsletter published monthly by Sue Marostic of Kuna, Idaho. Later to be published quarterly by many other great minds.
1997
The Pageant relocated again, this time to Nampa, Idaho with the help of Lloyd Kalblinger, George Crow, and Jack Blake. The Snake River Stampede presented the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant with a check in the amount of $5,000.00. These funds are truly the beginning of the Pageant, which Snake River Stampede continues to support.
1998
Kimberly Williams Miss Rodeo Idaho in 1996 was the 1st from Idaho to hold the Miss Rodeo USA Title (IPRA).
1999
Shelly Williams Miss Rodeo Idaho '98 wins the coveted title of MRA 1999
2002
Miss Rodeo Idaho, Inc., goes online with website. (www.missrodeoidaho.com).
2005
Idaho resident Kay "Weick" Dennis MRI 1956 was inducted into the Miss Rodeo America Pageant Hall of Fame for her 25 years of appreciated service.
This was a transition period, when International Rodeo Management Association (IRM) conceived the idea of holding state pageants to select contestants for the national event. Which led to the making of Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant.
1956 – 1964
Fran Blomquist of Caldwell was on the Board of the IRM, which allowed him to start the beginnings of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant. The Caldwell Night Rodeo in Caldwell, Idaho was the site for selecting Miss Rodeo Idaho and the Chamber of Commerce served as the President of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Board. Beginning of the rodeo week they held the Caldwell Night Rodeo queen contest (the winner of CNR title was given the option of advancing to the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant as a contestant) the ending of the week the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant was held.
1965 – 1996
Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant moved to Filer, Idaho to be held with the Twin Falls Co. Fair & Rodeo. Dean and Alma Vickers were instrumental in moving the pageant. Dean and Alma would donate their time and motor home to help the current Miss Rodeo Idaho attend all of her duties throughout the state. Later handing over the responsibility to Bob Harvey, Gene Hull, and Tom Shouse.
*Dorothy Alexander, Sherri Arkoosh, Tom Shouse and Don Simplot held significant positions on the Miss Rodeo America Board.
1972
Dean Vickers donated a perpetual Miss Rodeo Idaho Buckle in honor of his wife the late Alma Vickers. The buckle is described as 24ct gold inlays and sterling silver. All of the Rodeo events are present in the design. A garnet was put in the buckle for each Miss Rodeo Idaho who wore it and Rubies for the Miss Rodeo Americas from Idaho. On the back of the buckle is inscribed: Alma Vickers revolving Memorial Buckle presented annually to Idaho's Outstanding Rodeo Queen. This buckle was retired in 1983 and is on display at (Jim) Vickers’ Western Store in Twin Falls, Idaho.
1972
The vision of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Crown was design and made by Kenny Hanson.
1987
The MRI Board of Directors held two pageants to change the year of reign for Miss Rodeo Idaho. Nicole Hymas was crowned Miss Rodeo Idaho 1987 in August (4 months) and attend the Miss Rodeo America Pageant that year. The second young lady Suzanne Stancil was Miss Rodeo Idaho-Elect for the holdover title and started her reign January 1, 1988. Sherri Arkoosh (state delegate) hosted a Miss Rodeo Idaho Reunion in conjunctions with the pageants and the Twin Falls Co. Fair & Rodeo.
1989
Lke mother like daughter. For the 1st time in the history of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant and Miss Rodeo America Pageant, Joni James, a daughter of a former Miss Rodeo Idaho, Karen (Lavens) James, has captured the same coveted honor. And later on in 1990 won the same prestigious title her mother held as Miss Rodeo America. Joni also held the title 1986 National Miss College Rodeo.
1990
Curt and Hal Dodge in Caldwell, Idaho donated the use of a Dodge Dakota Pickup for Rhonda Vedvig the current Miss Rodeo Idaho.
1991
The Board of Directors came up with the concept of Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho for the purpose of fundraising and when Miss Rodeo Idaho was out of state Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho could take over her responsibilities. The business operation was incorporated in the State of Idaho as Miss Rodeo Idaho, Inc.
1994
The Miss Rodeo Idaho Board and Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho Board separated and became their own entities. Rodeos Unlimited, Inc. now hosts the MTRI Pageant in Gooding, Idaho.
1995
The Beginning of the Miss Rodeo Idaho Newsletter published monthly by Sue Marostic of Kuna, Idaho. Later to be published quarterly by many other great minds.
1997
The Pageant relocated again, this time to Nampa, Idaho with the help of Lloyd Kalblinger, George Crow, and Jack Blake. The Snake River Stampede presented the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant with a check in the amount of $5,000.00. These funds are truly the beginning of the Pageant, which Snake River Stampede continues to support.
1998
Kimberly Williams Miss Rodeo Idaho in 1996 was the 1st from Idaho to hold the Miss Rodeo USA Title (IPRA).
1999
Shelly Williams Miss Rodeo Idaho '98 wins the coveted title of MRA 1999
2002
Miss Rodeo Idaho, Inc., goes online with website. (www.missrodeoidaho.com).
2005
Idaho resident Kay "Weick" Dennis MRI 1956 was inducted into the Miss Rodeo America Pageant Hall of Fame for her 25 years of appreciated service.