Shelby Ross crowned Miss Rodeo Oregon

"I will make you proud," said a glowing Shelby Ross of Sisters when she was crowned Miss Rodeo Oregon at FivePine Conference Center on Saturday, March 3. She is the first woman from Central Oregon to win this title.

The new ambassador for Oregon was crowned by Oregon's iconic symbol of the Northwest, Gert Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear.

"I have known Shelby since she was old enough to get on a horse," Boyle said. "This young woman shines.

"Isn't this wonderful?" Boyle said. "It is really rewarding to know that organizations like rodeo exist for young women and men, especially when the news is filled with stories of crime and bad news. This is a good story about one of the hardest working young people I know. She's like her mother." (Ross's mother, Melinda Witt, is the former chairman of Sisters Schools Foundation and a former St. Paul Rodeo Queen.)

Ross was radiant in a white fringe leather gown appliquéd with a trailing spray of roses, a gift from her grandparents, Sue and Jerry Lanz. She was escorted by her two fathers, Dale Ross and Brian Witt, through a full house of proud family and friends, generously sharing the spotlight with 23 rodeo queens from Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

The 2009 Sisters High School graduate and 2010 Sisters Rodeo Queen, is an Oregon State University elementary education major. This year, she has been attending classes at OSU Cascade Campus and working part-time even while initiating her year of rodeo service.

Last September, in the Miss Rodeo Oregon competition, Ross excelled in horsemanship, appearance, knowledge and personality, and won the People's Choice Award, securing her the victory to represent Oregon in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association this year.

With the support of a large, wide-ranging Northwest family, Ross praised her family during her coronation speech for their willingness to give her their time and support to accomplish her dream. That support team includes her brothers, Spencer and Dillon.

Spencer grinned as he reminisced, "It was always horses. She just loved horses."

Grandparents Jerry and Sue Lanz of Camas, Washington, missed another grandchild's Washington state championship game to attend the ceremony.

"There are lots of ball games," Jerry stated, "but there is only one coronation."

Ross will travel an estimated 20,000 miles this year to rodeos in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy circuit, culminating in a contest for Miss Rodeo America in December. She's already traveled to Florida, Colorado and Texas, spreading the Miss Rodeo Oregon theme of "elevate, educate and inspire" to young American girls.

"This is a very genuine young lady," said Libby Westlund, of Bend. "She is focused, dedicated and a great (horse) rider. She works really hard."

The day began at 7:15 a.m. for Ross and 30 current or aspiring rodeo queens at a queens' clinic held by the Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant Committee at Sisters Rodeo Grounds. The workshop guides young women in developing skills that are necessary to become queens and representative of their sport.

With a 4:30 p.m. closing, the participants were obliged to dash to respective homes or lodges to dress for the evening event. They were back on Sunday morning for another half-day of training; not an unusual weekend in the intense schedule of rodeo queens.

"This has all been like planning a wedding," said Ross' father, Dale. "I am just as proud of her as I will be that day."

The whole extended family spent their day setting up the conference center for the evening under the direction of Melinda Witt, whose organizational skills resulted in resplendent Western-themed table settings for dining and celebrating.

"The community support for Shelby has been beyond imagination," said Witt. "So many have taken Shelby on their wings and lifted her up."

In her speech, Ross thanked Sisters Rodeo for their support, and John Leavitt for his guidance and wisdom in this next stage of her life.

"Not only will she be good for Oregon, but this is really good for our rodeo," said Leavitt, Sisters Rodeo Committee member charged with managing, outfitting, scheduling and advising queens. "She started right here with us."

Ross also expressed thanks to Kathy Deggendorfer as her skilled master of ceremonies, and Fred Bewley, auctioneer. A wide range of auction items raised thousands of dollars for the expenses Miss Rodeo Oregon will face this year.

"Shelby is going to be an outstanding representative for the state of Oregon," said proud stepfather, Brian Witt. "She has incredible charm and loves meeting people."

At the end of the official ceremonies, The Anvil Blasters capped the evening with music meant for dancing in a celebration that lit up the night in Sisters.