Simpson named Rodeo Queen

Laurie Simpson brought an array of talents to bear in capturing the Sisters Rodeo Queen crown. A straight-A senior at Redmond High School, Simpson is a slim brunette whose horsemanship skills cannot be questioned.

The rodeo queen competition held Saturday, April 5, featured a private interview with the panel of judges, a speech before the judges and the audience, and a demonstration of horsemanship skills.

When the dust settled after the horsemanship patterns, it was far from clear which of the four competitors would take the crown. Simpson competed against a strong field.

Whitney Sitton works in an advertising department in Prineville, was fourth in her class in Fossil and went to college and graphic design school in Phoenix. She is a former Wheeler Rodeo Queen.

Joie Ann Kiser is a pre-med student at Central Oregon Community College, an experienced public s

peaker, a former cheerleader and member of her high school volleyball and track teams.

Kim Billingsly is 22 years old and works as a wrangler at Inn of the Seventh Mountain. Her expertise as a horsewoman was apparent.

But Simpson, who participates in Future Farmers of America, high school rodeo, varsity track and field, and is a long time 4H member, triumphed.

"I rode my first horse when I was nine months old," said Simpson, "and I began competing at age three."

She promises to represent the Sisters Rodeo "with genuine enthusiasm, and," she said, "I will be a great public ambassador."

Simpson, who characterizes herself as having "strong leadership abilities and a sincere desire to succeed," plans to earn a college degree in veterinary science or agricultural education.

The rodeo ground was teeming with royalty on Sunday afternoon. Teah Jones, Miss Rodeo Oregon, presented the victory roses to Simpson at the coronation. Jones, a resident of Lostine, Oregon, is a barrel racer who is spending a year away from the University of Idaho to serve as Miss Rodeo Oregon.

Tiffany Rockwood, the 1995 Sisters Rodeo Queen, was presented with her own ceremonial bouquet of carnations at the end of the proceedings.

Mary Lant, this year's Miss Crooked River Rodeo Queen, said, "I came to support Joie Kiser," this year's Sisters Rodeo Queen runner-up and last year's Miss Crooked River Rodeo Queen.

According to Linda Sage, chair of the Sisters Rodeo Queen Committee, the rodeo queen "represents the Sisters Rodeo all over the state and region, and will qualify to run for Miss Rodeo Oregon."

Sage explained that each of the local rodeo competitions have their own method of scoring. She said that Sisters assigns 50 percentage points to horsemanship, and 25 percent each to personality and appearance. Sage said that the "appearance" category includes how the contestants represent themselves verbally and reflects their level of poise.

The 1969 Miss Sisters Rodeo, Rosiland Frazier, was one of the three judges. She was accompanied by Debbie Pech, a former Miss Rodeo Colorado, and Steve Vantress who is on the Sisters Rodeo Association Board of Directors.

John Leavitt, President of the Sisters Rodeo Association and owner of Leavitt's Western Wear, officiated the event.

"He will provide the winner with a wardrobe for the season," Sage said.

Queen Laurie Simpson will preside over the Sisters Rodeo June 13-15.