Ross crowned Sisters Rodeo Queen

Shelby Ross, a 2009 Sisters High School graduate, was crowned 2010 Sisters Rodeo Queen on Sunday, September 27 at Sisters Rodeo Grounds.

Ross is the daughter of Melinda and Brian Witt of Sisters, and Candia and Dale Ross of Vancouver, Washington. She is a freshman at Oregon State University, majoring in Animal Equine Science.

She is second-generation rodeo royalty. Her mother, Melinda, was the St. Paul Rodeo Queen 30 years ago.

Ross moved to Sisters from Portland with her family when she was a second-grade student. She has been active in 4-H horse clubs for 12 years and was on the Sisters High School Equestrian Team for all four years. On that team, she served as co-captain in her senior year.

By winning high performance point championships in intermediate and senior categories at Deschutes County Fair, Ross qualified six times for the Oregon State Fair. She competed in showmanship, trail and Western equitation in the Medallion Classes, among the top 10 percent of state competitors.

Ross rides an 18-year-old gelding, Boss, who gave a stellar performance in the rodeo queen trials.

As a member of the Sisters High School golf team, Ross was part of back-to-back Oregon State Championship teams.

In her poised and enthusiastic speech to a large crowd at the rodeo grounds, she said being part of teams has taught her the values that are the basics of her life.

"These are leadership, honesty, forgiveness, love and responsibility," she said. She then cited experiences that have lead her to this personal creed.

She also expressed excitement about "taking the reins and being the heart of Sisters Rodeo."

Ross credited her family for tremendous support of her activities throughout her youth. This, she said, taught her that "love means unconditional commitment in support and compassion for another."

Six talented young women competed for the title this year. Judge Lou DeGregorio said the committee was impressed with how prepared Ross was for the competition.

"She looked and acted like she really wanted this," he said, "and she was so well prepared."

Queen Shelby will represent Sisters Rodeo the second weekend in June and in the other rodeos of the Columbia River Circuit.