Meet The Queen: Tennessee
By Wrangler Network contributor Miss Rodeo America
8,000 Miles, 8 States, 8 Weekends: The Adventures of Alina B, Miss Rodeo Tennessee
Sounds like the start of a good adventure novel if you ask me. I’m Alina Bonacquista, Miss Rodeo Tennessee and that’s exactly what I want to do when I grow up (or I might skip the growing up part), and go straight to becoming a juvenile fiction and children’s literature author.
Chapter 1: TEXAS (Long Horns and Longer Drives)
My journey begins deep in the heart of Texas where I competed alongside some gorgeous girls. I was crowned Miss Rodeo Tennessee and I handled the evening with poise and grace while the little girl inside of me was jumping up and down, clapping with delight. I had made it, the year long journey towards my dream of eighteen years had officially begun. I was one step closer to competing for that coveted black hills gold crown.
Chapter 2: GEORGIA (Pass the Peaches Please)
That next weekend I headed to Moultrie, GA for a weekend of boot races, radio interviews, pushing cattle, leading horses for a special needs rodeo and meeting fans from both Tennessee and Georgia as Moultrie is literally a minute over the Tennessee state line. Whiplash the Capuchian Monkey who rides bordercollies with the Ghost Riders was there and very set on stealing my sash pin. I also met two of rodeo’s biggest little fans! Aren’t they adorable?! For all who don’t know I am a preschool teacher.
Chapter 3: TENNESSEE (Tea So Sweet It’ll Knock You off Your Feet)
Finally I was at a rodeo in my home state the Savannah, TN Buckin’ on the River PRCA Rodeo. During the week I was invited on WYZT to promote the rodeo on their radio talk show and our fantastic sponsor RAM. The weekend flew by with interviews by the Mid-South Rodeo Review where I would be featured on their September issue cover. My leather chaps kept me very comfortable in the 99 degree summer nights with only a smidge of humidity at 98%.
Chapter 4: WYOMING (King George Sang about the Beaches of Cheyenne so I Packed a Swimsuit)
A few days later I headed out to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. I experienced more thrills and fun than a person can have in two days! I flipped flapjacks and was asked to do an interview with Shada Brazile on the Wrangler Network. I had enough adventures to fill several novels. You can read about the rest of them when my next book is released, it will be titled… Fire, Flap Jacks, Firearms and Fillies.
Chapter 5: ALABAMA (Sweet Home Alabama! Dun Du Duna Duna)
I pulled out my dancing boots for my next stop where I would boot scoot & boogie at the Ardmore Sherrif’s Rodeo annual street dance, the band played Rocky Top (youtube it) in my honor. I was also privileged to judge the Miss Ardmore Sheriff’s Rodeo Queen pageant.
Chapter 6: COLORADO (How Colorful is Colorado)?
I love Colorado, I landed just in time for the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo and that next day was the PRCA Hall of Fame inductions. I bunked with some great girls while spending a week at the MRA seminar and I met Miss Rodeo America Lauren Heaton who when I say her name with her title, I imagine fireworks going off behind an American flag and then I begin to hear Reba McEntire singing the National Anthem and it brings tears to my eyes. God Bless America!
Chapter 7: ARKANSAS ( Sweet Home Arkana-wait a minute! Wrong State).
I was the first visiting royalty to come to the MRAR Queen Pageant and I rode at the Saline County Rodeo I was flattered. During the weekend I rode a horse named cupcake, I ate cupcakes and had a marvelous time.
Chapter 8: MISSISSIPPI (The Birthplace of America’s Music and Elvis)
Southhaven, Mississippi, a hop, skip and a jump from Memphis for the last chapter in the series Alina B, Miss Rodeo Tennessee. I was honored to present the American flag. On the last night I looked out at the arena. Lights flashing, people cheering, bulls smashing metal and I thought to myself “Only 8 weeks on the job and already this has been one awesome adventure!”
I could give a lengthy conclusion with much fanfare but in the words of the famous Porkie Pig.
That’s All Folks!!!
