2010 Rodeo Queen Contestants
The Clovis Rodeo is proud to salute their fivequeen candidates. These dynamic young ladies are vying for the opportunity to represent 96 years of rodeo tradition.
The candidates are from Clovis, Visalia, Livermore, Madera, and Bakersfield. Graded on their scholastic achievement, poise, showmanship, interview skills and horsemanship. They must not only display exceptional horsemanship skills, but they must be involved in their communities and represent traditional western rodeo values. The Clovis Rodeo Queen will go on to represent the Clovis Rodeo and community of Clovis at events, rodeos and the California State Rodeo in Salinas held in July.
During rodeo week Queen Candidates compete for their titles and take time to help in promoting the Clovis Rodeo. The candidates will visit schools and hospitals in the community to tell them about our rodeo and why being a rodeo queen is one of their dreams. Candidates also attend all rodeo performances and events including the Rodeo Blood Drive and Special Kids Rodeo. It is the opportunity to interact with the community and educate others about the sport of rodeo that many of our candidates find to be the most fulfilling part of their duties.
The 2010 Miss Clovis Rodeo will receive more than $3,000 in scholarship funds towards her education and numerous gifts donated by the many generous sponsors of the competition.
The Clovis Rodeo Association congratulates each and every one of our candidates. We appreciate your commitment to our traditional western values and your support of the 96th Clovis Rodeo. Our best wishes for your every success – you're all winning cowgirls in our hearts!
The Clovis Rodeo Queen candidates are asked to submit an essay talking about their background and why they should be crowned Miss Clovis Rodeo 2010. We hope you enjoy reading these snapshots from their essays as much.
Mindy Garrison (Visalia, California)
School: College of the Sequoias
Sponsor: Woodlake Lions Club
Mindy Garrison is the youngest daughter to David and Dawn Garrison. Mindy is twenty years old and resides in Visalia, California where she has spent her entire life. She is a sophomore attending College of the Sequoias, where she will graduate with her associate degree in the fall. Her career goals include transferring to Loma Linda University to attend their rigorous radiology program and later specializing in ultrasound. Aside from school, Mindy keeps an active lifestyle in numerous events.
She is involved in the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls of Exeter, CA, where they are taught life lessons on the back of a horse, as well as reining, trail riding, sports, and helping out in the community. Mindy would like to thank her friends and family, all of her sponsors, as well as Chuck Perkins for helping her excel in her riding skills as well as through life. She would also like to welcome everyone who is attending today and hopes you all get just as much joy out of America's only home grown sport as she does.
Brittany Hart (Madera, California)
School: Reedley College Willow International Center
Sponsor: Clovis Kiwanis
Throw your rope catch your dreams dalley up and never look back this is the piece of advice Brittany has chosen to live by. Brittany is the proud 21-year-old daughter of Wayne and Judy Hart of Madera, California. Brittany is currently attending Reedley College Willow International Center where she is majoring in the field of nursing with hopes and aspirations of one day serving on the Justin Sports Medicine team. She believes it would be a great honor to be able to give back to the rodeo community by taking care of injured rodeo athletes. Presently Brittany works part time selling Ag management software for a leading ag-solutions company located here in Fresno. Horses and Rodeo have always held a special place in Brittany's heart and was what lead her to begin entering rodeo queen competitions. To her there is a simple joy in being a rodeo queen and that is the reward of being able to share her passion for rodeo.
Brittany believes the Clovis Rodeo is by far one of the most family-oriented, community supported fun rodeos in the state of California and would like to encourage everyone to come check out the 96th annual Clovis rodeo. Brittany sends out a big thank you to all of her generous sponsors including the Clovis Kiwanis for their ongoing support in her quest for the 2010 Miss Clovis Rodeo title.
Samantha Lozano (Bakersfield)
School: California State University, Bakersfield
Sponsor: Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association
Samantha Lozano is the 20-year-old daughter of Sam and Shelly Lozano. She is sponsored by Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association. She currently attends California State University Bakersfield, where she is earning her Masters Degree in History, with a minor in economics. After receiving her Masters Degree, she plans to transfer to Pepperdine University to earn her PhD in United States History.
She's currently preparing to show in the NSHA SB Futurity in Paso and NRCHA SB Futurity in Reno this year. She also enjoys cooking, swimming, soccer and camping with her family. Thoughout her life community involvement has been important to her, she lives her life by the quote by Ghandi "Be the change that you want to see in the world."
Rachel Nelson (Livermore, California)
School: Las Positas College
Sponsor: Livermore Stockman's Rodeo Association
Representing Livermore, the 'World's Fastest' rodeo, this is 20-year-old Rachel Nelson. Rachel will be graduating this year from Las Positas College with two Associate Degrees and looks forward to transferring to California State East Bay for her business degree. Since she was three-years-old, she has been riding horses with her parents, Dan and Diane Nelson. She was given her very own pony when she was six years old and has been chasing cattle and competing in gymkhanas, horse shows and junior rodeos ever since.
She greatly enjoys having the opportunity to represent and promote the great sport of rodeo and to see the excitement in the eyes of young fans. She wants to express her gratitude to her sponsor the Livermore Stockman's Rodeo Association, her friends, and family for all their expertise, love, and support. She'd also like to thank the Clovis Rodeo Association for this great opportunity to be involved in a part of their history. Rachel cannot think of a better way to start off 2010 than with the great Clovis Rodeo!