The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
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December 5-19, 2021 • The WRANGLER, Horse and Rodeo News 25 Wri en by Hannah Ostheimer MRW 2019 Miss Rodeo Wyoming has a legacy of transi oning young cowgirls into future roles filled with amazing opportuni es. From the outside looking in an observer sees the sparkling crown and the glamorous piece of being Miss Rodeo Wyoming, but o en doesn't get a look inside the tougher aspects that lead these young women into their future lives. The lessons learned from the year of Miss Rodeo Wyoming can help change a young ladies future. In the rodeo queen world, we jokingly refer to ourselves as a "has been" a er the crown comes off. Taking off that crown is a bi ersweet feeling. You are excited to see the lives it will change in the future, you are excited to have some free me for yourself, but you will miss the memories you made underneath that crown. But then what happens? As Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2019 Hannah Ostheimer, I used my scholarship to follow a new dream that I found during my year. I was always interested in medicine but was unsure what route that would take me, and my year as MRW influenced my decision to make that a career. I graduate in December with my second bachelor's degree in nursing and will start my new role as a registered nurse in my community, with plans to con nue into a master's program in the future. My role as Miss Rodeo Wyoming made it clear that I loved serving others and becoming a nurse I can be hands on in pa ent care every day. This opportunity taught me how to work long hours with a smile on my face, the ability to talk to anyone, and not be afraid to get in there. During my year as MRW I also made connec ons to rodeo boards tle was over, I was s ll Bri any Richards." Another piece that Bri any talked to me about was something that resonated with me "It was God's plan for me to compete four mes for the tle before being selected. It was His strength that allowed me to spend 2011 working as if being Miss Rodeo Wyoming was my job. It was His love that wrapped around me when it was over." Bri any stated. As MRW we all get an incredible year filled with once-in- a-life me experiences and tough lessons learned. But God gives each of us the strength to make it through each of our years, and it is the same strength that carries us into our futures a er we take off the crown. Bri any (Richards) Board 2011 MRW and Allie (Bass) Sowerwine 2009 MRW are both married with young children; in addi on to their professional careers they are very busy with their families and communi es. 2020-2021 MRW, Rachel Derner, says "These two years as MRW have blessed me immeasurably." She con nued that this role has given her some of her best friends and given her more confidence in the role as a rodeo queen. In December Rachel will be compe ng for the tle of Miss Rodeo America at the MRA Pageant November 28, 2021 thru December 5, 2021 held during the Na onal Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. When this issue of The Wrangler Horse and Rodeo News reaches your homes 2022 Miss Rodeo America will be crowned on December 5, 2021. We know that 2020-2021 MRW Rachel Derner will proudly represent all of Wyoming! 2019 MISS RODEO WYOMING Hannah Ostheimer carrying the Wyoming Flag and individuals around the United States. Sponsors became friends; I joined the MRW associa on board, and began volunteering at rodeos and for rodeo queen pageants. Allie(Bass) Sowerwine, 2009 Miss Rodeo Wyoming reiterated that being MRW provided her with confidence to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian a er being told all through high school, "Don't even bother- it's too compe ve! You'll never get in." A er travelling the US represen ng Wyoming, she did try, and got accepted the first year. "My me as MRW not only taught me responsibility, promptness, managing finances, how to talk to literally ANYONE, but also ins lled a hard work ethic and a strong sense of morals. Interview skills assisted in ge ng me into veterinary school. Learning how to dress and act professional allowed me to land my first job as a professional and having the capability to connect to anyone and everyone (now clients) propelled me into career success and long term professional and personal friendships." Allie's love of Wyoming has kept her in the Cowboy State where she is currently serving as the Medical Director of Red Hills Veterinary Hospital, a very busy 8 doctor veterinarian practice in Gillette, WY. Bri any (Richards) Board was Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2011 and since her me with the crown has had the chance to volunteer with rodeo associa ons, rodeo music, and digital marke ng and live streaming for large rodeo produc ons. She currently works as a Sr. Channel Marke ng Manager and a large part of her job is obtaining sponsors, which is a major piece of the MRW posi on. She had three major lessons she learned as her year went on that I think give insight to current and future royalty, as well moving forward: Bri any stated "At the start of my year, I learned "You Don't Know It All". I not only learned I had to be willing to ask for help if I needed it, but more importantly, I learned you have to know when you need that help. During my year, I learned "Your Experience Will Be What You Want It To Be." I wanted my year to be a professional stepping block knowing that once my reign was over, I would be entering the career world. The way I conducted myself preparing for trips, at events, and during follow-ups, I did with the mindset that I was an employee. At the end of my year as Miss Rodeo Wyoming, a er the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, I learned my final lesson, "You Are S ll You." I le Las Vegas with my head low and my heart sad, much like the rest of the contestants who didn't leave the bright lights of Vegas with the Landstrom's crown. I worked so hard, for years, preparing for that pageant that I felt like I let myself and everyone who believed me in down. When I returned home, my life went on. I went on to have some incredible experiences both in my career as well as personally, that it was clear to me, I wasn't Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Bri any Richards. I was Bri any Richards, Miss Rodeo Wyoming. When that 2020-2021 MRW Rachel Derner with a Mu on Buster Miss Rodeo Wyoming - Oh The Places You'll Go Miss Rodeo Wyoming - Oh The Places You'll Go