2008 Jr. Miss Rodeo Tehachapi

 

Kelby Dunlap is the 17-year-old daughter of Grant and Cindy Dunlap and Kim and Jeff Farwell.  Kelby is a junior at Tehachapi High School this year. After graduation from Tehachapi High School Kelby plans to join the Air Force, with plans after that to attend college.

 

Kelby was a very strong contender in her Jr. Miss rodeo Tehachapi division during the 2008 pageant and worked very hard to make it to weekly practices with her rope horse, Jake, to perfect the riding pattern and polish it to where she could come before the judges clam and collected. The same was true for her in the speech and modeling portion of the pageant. Kelby is a very focused young lady and will quickly go to the top in anything she tries.

 

Kelby has filled her off time this year with learning to team rope with her father and is very much looking forward to the spring and summer to test everything she has learned in the roping arena.

 

 

Kelby is also looking forward to riding in the many scheduled rodeo grand entries representing the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association. This year plans are to ride at: Kern County Sheriff’s Reserve Rodeo, Clovis Rodeo, Springville rodeo, Glennville Rodeo and the Hesperia Rodeo.

Current Update:  Samantha Lozano, received first runner up honors at the Miss California Rodeo Salinas during the centennial year of the prestigious pageant held this past week.  "Sam" also honored the TMRA by winning the Horsemanship portion of the pageant.  I know we are all very proud of her as she was entered there as Miss Rodeo Tehachapi.  Samantha will next run for Miss Rodeo California in October.

It is never too early to think about running for Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Queen. The Rodeo Queen Pageant is held annually in conjunction with the Tehachapi Mountain PRCA Rodeo, which in held the third week end in August every year in conjunction with the Tehachapi Mountain Festival. There are four age divisions; 6-8, 9-12, 13-17 and 18-24. Contestants compete for the coveted crowns of Miss Rodeo Tehachapi, Jr. Miss Rodeo Tehachapi, Little Miss Rodeo Tehachapi and Little Princess Rodeo Tehachapi by competing in horsemanship, public speaking, and poise and personality. The winners of the Miss, Jr. Miss and Little Miss Rodeo Tehachapi divisions will receive a trophy saddle, crown, sash and belt buckle. The winner of the Little Princess Rodeo Tehachapi will receive a crown, sash and belt buckle. The winner of the Miss Rodeo Tehachapi division will go on to represent the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association at the state level by running for Miss Rodeo California if she wishes. There is also an award for most photogenic and congeniality. All Rodeo Queen Contestants will appear at many Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association and Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce functions during the pageant and will be in attendance at the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association Poker Ride/BBQ that is held at the Loop Ranch in May every year and be introduced during the TMRA Bad Bulls Tour on the 4^th of July.

 

The Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Queen Pageant offers young women the opportunity to receive one of the richest experiences of their lives; while at the same time creates solid foundations for their future endeavors. Lifelong friendships are made and many doors are opened to the competitors, as well as, the young lady selected to wear the coveted crown, becomes a part of a great legacy and part of history; yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

 

For more than 30 years, Miss Rodeo Tehachapi has promoted and represented the great sport of professional rodeo and the western way of life. She is a cowgirl, an athlete and a gifted communicator who knows her sport and works diligently to raise the awareness level of professional rodeo and its related industries. Miss Rodeo Tehachapi is the ideal western type girl who, with great enthusiasm, takes to heart the job of representing America’s number one sport.

 

Applications are available on line, at the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, or by contacting Rodeo Queen Pageant Coordinator Marilyn Morphis at (661) 822-3219. 

2009 Rodeo Queen Contestants

Sophia Fisher:

Sophia Fisher is the 22-year-old, daughter of Larry and Jennifer Fisher of Clovis, California.  Sophia is sponsored by Larry Fisher and Sons. Sophia currently is a junior at California State University Fresno, where she has a 3.0 GPA. Sophia has a passion for the sport of Rodeo and states she would be honored to serve as ambassador for the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association and the all-American sport of rodeo.

Brittany Hart:

Brittany Hart is the 20-year-old, daughter of Wayne and Judy Hart of Madera, California.  Brittany is sponsored by: Bank of the Sierras, Gayle Stewart of Karpe Realty, The Wooly Sheep, Dave’s Auto Repair, Shofner Automotive. Brittany currently is a junior at Reedley Colleges Willow and International in Clovis, where she has a 3.0 GPA, and also is employed selling agricultural management software for Datatech.  Brittany states as Miss Rodeo Tehachapi she would be able to share her passion for rodeo, its lifestyle and the values it embraces.

Danielle Williams:

Danielle Williams is the 21-year-old, daughter of Jim and Tammy Williams of Yucaipa, California.  Danielle currently is attending Crafton Hills Collage in Yucaipa, California, where she has a 3.0 GPA.  Danielle states she would very much like to be Miss Rodeo Tehachapi and represent the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association, eventually running for Miss Rodeo California.

2009 Junior Miss Rodeo Tehachapi Contestants

Nicole Bartholome:

Nicole Bartholome is the 14-year-old, daughter of Charlene Bartholome of Lake Arrowhead, California.  Nicole currently is a sophomore at Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead, California, where she has a 4.0+ GPA. Once she graduates from high school, she plans to attend Cal Poly~Pomona and study to be a veterinarian for exotic animals.

McKenzie Cooper

McKenzie Cooper is the 14-year-old, daughter of Jared and Tonya Cooper.  McKenzie is sponsored by Dinnerville Trucking, Oak Valley Construction, All American Tire, Mercury Graphics, Minute Serve Dairy Drive Thru, J.K. Construction and Pacino’s Spaghetti Factory.  McKenzie is a freshman at Tehachapi High School, where she has a 3.0 GPA.  Once she graduates from high school, she plans to attend Colorado State University to become a large animal scientist or animal nutritionist.

Taylor Cross:

Taylor Cross is the 15-year-old, daughter of Rick and Diane Cross of Tehachapi, California.  Taylor is sponsored by: The Heat Source, Tehachapi RV Center, Monoghan Motorsports, H. Lima and Alpha Explosives.  Taylor currently is a sophomore at Tehachapi High School where she has a 2.5 GPA.  Once she graduates from high school, she plans to attend a culinary arts school and become a pastry chef.

Donnellia Gonzales :

Donnellia Gonzales is the 14-year-old, daughter of Bill and Donna Lawrence of Bakersfield, California.  Donnellia is sponsored by: Rosedale Farrier Supply, Exclusive Equine and Kissack Ranch.  Donnellia currently is a junior at Rio Bravo Greeley in Bakersfield where she has a 2.5 GPA. Once she graduates from high school, she plans to attend U.C. Davis and major in business with a minor in equine science.

Emily Jones:

Emily Jones is the 16-year-old, daughter of Anne Worthington of Bear Valley Springs.  Emily is a junior at Tehachapi High school where she has a 3.0 GPA, and is a cheerleader.  Once she graduates from high school, she plans to attend Cal Poly~San Luis and major in psychology

Taelor Kramer:

Taelor Kramer is the 14-year-old, daughter of Cassandra Geacee of Bear Valley Springs. Taelor is sponsored by: The Dressing Room, Field of Dreams Alpacas, 2^nd Chance Ranch and Home Consignment Gallerie.  Taelor currently is a freshman at Tehachapi High School. Once she graduates from high school she plans to attend collage and become a marine biologist

Sarah Yeomans:

Sarah Yeomans is the 15-year-old, daughter of Bob and Tobi Yeomans of Crestline, California.  Sarah is sponsored by: Back Yard Equestrian Center Ranch and Construction Investment Group.  Sarah currently is enrolled in Rim of the World School District Independent Study Program in Crestline, California with a 4.0 GPA.  Once she graduates from high school Sarah plans continue her education in the direction of equine science.

2009 Little Miss Rodeo Tehachapi Contestants

Ariel Anderson:

Ariel Anderson is the 9-year-old, daughter of Richard and Joy Anderson of Tehachapi, California.  Ariel current is in the third grade and attends Carden School in Golden Hills where she gets straight A’s.  Ariel has special interests in: Softball, Gymnastics, Hiking and “School”. 

Brooke Barker:

Brooke Barker is the 9-year-old, daughter of Todd and Mary Barker of Bakersfield, California.  Brooke is sponsored by: Brister’s Welding Service.  Brooke currently is in the 5^th grade at Del Rio Elementary School in Bakersfield where she is on the honor roll with straight A’s.  Brooke has special interests in: Riding quads, swimming, fishing and camping. 

Montana Cooper:

Montana Cooper is the 11-year-old, daughter of Jared and Tonya Cooper of Tehachapi, California.  Montana is sponsored by: Dinnerville Trucking, Oak Valley Construction, All American Tire, Mercury Graphics, J.K. Construction, Pacino’s Spaghetti Factory, and Minute Serve Dairy Drive Thru.  Montana is in the 5^th grade a Golden Hills Elementary School in Tehachapi.  Montana has special interests in: Softball, All Stars, basketball, rafting and motorcycle riding.

Holly Griffiths:

Holly Griffiths is the 13-year-old, daughter of Tim and Kerry Griffiths of Crestline, California. Holly is sponsored by: Crestline Ace Hardware and Horse Connection.  Holly currently is in the 8^th grade and attends School Connections Academy in Crestline, California.  Holly has special interests in: Chello and her horses.

Lauren Nousch:

Lauren Nousch is the 9-year-old, daughter of Jeff and Angela Nousch of Tehachapi, California.  Lauren currently attends Cummings Valley Elementary School with a 4.0 GPA and is on the Principle’s Honor Roll.  Lauren has special interests in: math and reading, volleyball, showing heifers and pigs at the Kern County Fair in September, and playing with her friends

Jamie Underwood:

Jamie Underwood in the 11-year-old, daughter of Richard and Jacque Underwood of Bakersfield, California.  Jamie currently is in the 5^th grade at Independence Elementary School in Bakersfield with a 3.5 GPA.  Jamie has special interests in: Cheerleading, all sports and modeling for Fashion Bug.

2009 Little Princess Rodeo Tehachapi Contestants

Savannah Gomez:

Savannah Gomez is the 8-year-old, daughter of Matt and Karen Goe and Matthew Gomez. Savannah is sponsored by The Apple Shed, California Central Power and Diesel, Tehachapi Transmission, and “Mom and Dad”. Savannah currently is in the 2^nd grade at Cummings Valley School. Savannah has special interests in: Horses, dancing, fishing with Dad and playing with her friends.

Lifestyle of a Rodeo Queen Contestant