Image by: Paul Clark
blackandredphotography.com

For the last few months of my reign, I got to do a variety of things. At Grant County’s 99th anniversary Fair & Rodeo in John Day on August 22-24, the queens I traveled with and I went to 3 nights of rodeos, parade, and a queen’s luncheon.

We visited the local town cowboy museum, that was really neat and we watched their 2009 rodeo queen tryouts. Each county and organization does their tryouts different, its fun to see the variety.

After Grant County I headed for the Harney County Fair & Rodeo. It was their county fair; we watched 4-H shows, rodeos, queen tryouts, horse races and participated in the parade.

For my final run-in I went to the NPRA Finals in Sisters. There I gathered with about thirty other rodeo and associations queens and princesses. Overall there were about 50 girls riding the run-ins. It was the biggest run-in I was a part of all year.

I attended the Grand Opening of KROMA a new hair/nail salon in La Pine and for my final event as 2008 La Pine Rodeo Queen and I rode in the Christmas parade in Bend. I rode with my friend Shelby Henry the 2008 Deschutes County Queen. We were between a semi-truck with a band and choir and a slug bugs designed to be toy car, which made it interesting but it was a lot of fun. It was a great way to end the year!

Though next year I will succeed Shelby Henry to become Deschutes County Queen for 2009, I look forward to participating in LaPine’s rodeo activities next year. I also wanted to thank the Lisa Urbach for coordinating the 2008 queen tryouts, La Pine Rodeo Association and my sponsors for supporting me, Ghost Rock Ranch for hosting the queen tryouts; Bobbie Bashian as my queen advisor and my parents for hauling me around, it has been a wonderful year.

I say good luck to Jenna; I know you will represent LaPine Rodeo in an excellent fashion next year!

La Pine Rodeo Queen now rides for Deschutes County in 2009

Kristen Russell is the youngest granddaughter of Marilyn Russell a long time resident of La Pine. Kristen tried out for the honor of Deschutes County Queen last September and was officially crowned January 19th, 2009 at the Deschutes County Fair Association Annual Dinner by outgoing Queen Shelby Henry. Marilyn was there for the honors.

Marilyn doesn't miss too many opportunities to support her 12 grandchildren. She has attended many school activities, plays, games, track meets and now will have the honor of being able to see Kristen ride as a Queen for one more year.

Kristen is a senior at La Pine High School who also participates in 4-H and rides on the High School Equestrian Team. Kristen will graduate in June and plans to attend OIT or OSU in the Mechanical Engineering program.

Kristen will spend this coming summer riding in rodeos and parades, attending Queen Luncheons at the various rodeos to promote the Deschutes County Rodeo. Kristen is thankful for the opportunity to be the La Pine Rodeo Queen last year and feels that her experience last summer will help in making her a great queen for Deschutes County.