Sisters 2011 Rodeo Queen is Miss NPRA

"The beauty of rodeo is that once you enter the gates, everyone becomes an equal," said 2011 Sisters Rodeo Queen Emily Clark in the speech she gave at the Miss NPRA 2012 competition on September 24. Clark was later declared the winner among eight other rodeo queens who vied for the crown. She will be crowned on March 3.

The Northwest Pro Rodeo Association has 40 member rodeos throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and California. The rodeos are held almost all year long. It has the advantage of allowing both professionals and amateurs to compete in rodeos that are close to home. The finals are held in September.

Clark won in five categories: Appearance, knowledge, horsemanship, personality and speech. All contestants were interviewed by judges, had a question/answer session and showed their horses in a dictated pattern. They also did a mock television interview.

The Tumalo hay rancher and COCC student spoke about the sport of rodeo, "where grace meets strength and dedication shows above price." She added that rodeo is a passion, a lifestyle and a heritage, "a chance to turn back the hands of time and revisit the traditions of the Western way of life." She ranches with her brother, Brandon, and her parents, Jan and Brent Clark.

Clark used the five points of a spur rowel as a metaphor for the lessons she has learned from rodeo: dedication, courage, heart, honesty and understanding. She hopes as the regional royalty ambassador she can share the message of the wholesome family atmosphere of rodeo and "to encourage children and adults to try new things and dream big."