Miss Rodeo Minnesota

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

February 14-18 Silver Spurs Rodeo, Kissimee, Florida

I left for my mini vacation to beautiful Florida on Valentine's day after finishing up my parent teacher conferences for my job. I was so excited to have a get away from the cold tundra, even though the temperatures in Florida were only going to be mid 60's.
I always enjoy flying as Miss Rodeo Minnesota, it is a great conversation starter usually. On my flight to Florida the flight attendant announced me as a special guest on the flight. I was then picked up at the airport by my host family and Miss Rodeo Virginia, who was my roommate for the weekend.

The next morning we went to Lake X, which is an adventure camp for kids. While I was there I conquered my fear of heights by rock climbing, zip lining, and walking on a pole that was waaaay up in the air. Later that day all the visiting rodeo queens went on a "neature walk," worked on some team building exercises and took a trip around the lake.

I was really excited for the Friday night rodeo performance, due to the fact I got to see and hang out with my best friend from college, Caitlin. Caitlin works in Florida as dolphin trainer. It was so good to see her again! During the rodeo all we had to do was a queen's run around the arena. I got the pleasure to ride an amazing horse named Cowboy! When we were warming up he was such a sweet slow-natured horse. He took me by surprise though, once we were in the arena, Cowboy knew his job as a queen horse! I had such a fun time with him this weekend!

Saturday of my trip consisted of a beach bum day at Cocoa Beach. Even though it was only 60 degrees out we all went for a swim!

Saturday night the temperatures got down to the mid 30's...not what I was expecting for weather in Florida! It sure was cold! I kept telling Miss Rodeo Nebraska to toughen up about it!

Sunday was the last rodeo performance in Florida. Before the rodeo I was able to take part in a Special Rodeo. This was my favorite thing that I did on this whole trip! Every queen got a buddy and we were then able to take our buddy around to different stations where the kids could learn to rope, ride a fake bull, and ride a horse! I just enjoyed getting to know my buddy, Angel. She was such a sweetheart!

All of us queens walked around the fairgrounds, indulged ourselves with deep fried oreos, and enjoyed the slightly warmer temperatures than what was back at home. Later that night a few of us rodeo queens got together and had a bonfire for our last night in Florida.

I'd like to thank Laura Kessler and her husband Mark for inviting me out to Florida for a "Rodeo Queen Spring Break." They were so kind to plan all of these adventures for us girls. I'd also like to thank my host mom for the weekend Carrie. She was so helpful and provided a perfect place to stay in Florida. I'd also like to thank Jenna who helped to get Cowboy ready each day, and Cowboy's owner Jessica.

Happy Trails!
Sarah Nowacki
Miss Rodeo Minnesota, 2013

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

February 9th-Miss Rodeo Minnesota 2013 Coronation Fundraiser

The weekend of my big coronation fundraiser brought more than people out to join us for a night of fun. The morning after my event we had a huge snowstorm which caused a lot of my family, board members, and even our past Miss Rodeo Minnesota 2012, Sabrina Behr to not be able attend. The night however still turned out to be better than I expected!

I have to thank everyone who came out, the many people and businesses who donated to my silent and live auction. To my cowboy poets, Roger Hille, Cliff Schultz, and Jay Tescher, you three were amazing! To my friend Kendra Peterson, Miss Rodeo Corn Palace Stampede, for all the help. To my family for putting up with my nerves! To Lisa Bourman for all the wonderful pictures. To Jaden Sundby and Big Papa's DJ for the amazing music for our dance, and the Warren American Legion and Veronica for letting us have my event. THANK YOU ALL! You helped to kick off my year!

My cousin Meghan and I

The winner of the Mr. Rodeo Contest...my brother!

My Great Aunts, Lucille and Irene

Jay Tescher

All of my little cowboys and cowgirls!

Roger Hille and I

Cliff Schultz

Kendra Peterson and I

Love you Grandma Crispine!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

February 2 World’s Toughest Rodeo, St. Paul, MN

After a LONG day of waiting in the airport and traveling I finally made it back home to St. Paul an hour later than what I was supposed to unfortunately. I was able to hang out back by the chutes with Sabrina and Johanna and finally get to relax. I met Senator Norm Coleman and caught up with some old friends from home, college, and camp during the intermission. At the end of the rodeo I then signed autographs with Anthony Lucia.

With Sabrina, MRMN 2012!

Old Camp Friends!

With my friend Joyful!

With Senator Norm Coleman

At the Excel Center

Black Hills Stock Show Rapid City, SD January 30-Feb2

I flew into Rapid City LATE Wednesday night right in the middle of a winter weather advisory. I was sure glad to have a close friend lend me their stand by privileges on Delta for this trip because I really didn’t want to drive the 9 hour drive from Moorhead to Rapid City, after work-in the dark-in the middle of winter. The next morning I got to officially meet my roommates who were Miss Rodeo Idaho, Erica Greenwood, and Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Holly Kennedy. Unofficial roommates (our two rooms shared a door, which was always open) were Miss Rodeo Illinois, Cassandra, Miss Rodeo California Dakota, and Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Sam. Later on that morning, Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Kristina Maddocks, and I then went over to a local Walmart to sign autographs. We met the cutest little cowboy around named Tristen. He went right to business when he saw us. He first asked us if he could take a picture with us. Then he proceed to take off his jacket and told his grandpa, “Wait pa! I need to get my shirt tucked in!” Kristina and I helped him and then he also had to make sure his buckle was straight. That night at the rodeo Kristina, Sam, and myself were assigned for the Gold Buckle Club for the night chatting with people. I felt very lucky since Thursday Nights performance was COLD and I had enough of the cold…;) I figured I could share it with Miss Rodeo Arizona and Miss Rodeo California ;). Also during the rodeo MRSD, MRNE and myself helped with the trick riding act by holding the line. The next day all of us rodeo queens took a drive out to Mount Rushmore. I have always enjoyed the view of Mount Rushmore from family vacations, but this day was special because of the fact that I was getting to see this wonderful monument as MRMN. It was even more breathtaking. Before the Friday night rodeo performance I headed to the BHSS early with Miss Rodeo Wyoming and Miss Rodeo Idaho to do a little shopping. I was then able to meet the Bailey representative for my state. It was fun to get to know him and hear all of his interesting stories! I am extremely looking forward to getting to know him more.

Before the rodeo I also attended a social with Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Miss Rodeo Florida, and Miss Rodeo Black Hills Stock Show, Gina. A fun fact about Gina is that we have a mutual friend who went to SDSU with her! I love how small the world can be sometimes! J At Friday night’s performance I was able to ride Simba. I love how Sutton’s put on their rodeo, and especially how they want to show off their stock and sponsors by having the queens do a slow lap around the arena. I ended up heading to bed early on Friday so I could wake up early and catch my flight back to the cities for my next event. However my flight was cancelled and I had to take a later flight into the Cities later on that afternoon. So then the next morning I was able to attend a breakfast social with a few of the other girls.

Sam and I working the Gold Buckle Zone!

Kristina and I with Mr. Tristen!

MINNESOTA!

My Roommates, Holly and Erica

National Western Stock Show January 18-21

What a way to start off this new and exciting year for me! I left for Denver early Friday morning from Fargo, ND. On my way to Denver I got delayed in Salt Lake City, due to the huge amount of fog that rolled in that morning. It caused my flight to refuel up in Ogden, UT. Luckily my flight to Denver was delayed also…however I was booked to be at the first rodeo performance that day and was delayed until the evening rodeo. I’d like to give a great big thanks to the volunteers who picked me up at the airport. Lois and Orrie you were so very kind to me telling me all about Denver and getting me to the right spot at the rodeo! It was quite a shock once I got to the stock show grounds….I quickly met up with the other state queens who I had only met once before in Las Vegas during the 2013 Miss Rodeo America pageant. Then it was onto business with the rodeo. At the first night’s performance I was able to help out with a T shirt and Justin boots giveaways. Throughout the next few days I helped run sponsor flags in between each event. The Cervi's provided great horses for all of us queens to ride! Along the way I met some more fabulous NWSS workers, Debra and Mary. It was always fun to stop by and chat with these ladies in between running into the stands to going back behind the scenes with the horses. Another part I enjoyed was getting the chance to meet JJ (Harrison) the Clown. My dad always travels to Sisters, OR each year for business and attends their rodeo, so JJ is his favorite clown. On Sunday night of the rodeo I was able to sign autographs with Miss Rodeo New Mexico, Ashley Rose, and Miss Rodeo Washington, Jessie Tennant. Probably my favorite part of the NWSS was meeting a couple from Thief River Falls, MN when I was awarding their row free T-Shirts. I'd like to also say thank you to Jodie Witt, who was in charge of all of us queens. I enjoyed going through your "Rodeo Queen Boot Camp," and it was so nice to meet you! :)
After the last performance of Sunday all of us girls had a great bonding experience when we went out to Buffalo Wild Wings. I also became close with my roommate Miss Rodeo California Dakota, she was awesome to get ready with every morning! I sadly left the warmer temps of 50 degrees on Monday to go back home to Moorhead where the temps were -50 degrees…My car almost didn’t start in the parking lot of the airport!