Oklahoma State Graduate Named Miss Rodeo America
LAS VEGAS – The results are in and the next Miss Rodeo America has been crowned. The 2014 leading lady of professional rodeo is Lauren Heaton of Alva, Okla.
Heaton served as Miss Rodeo Oklahoma 2014. Lauren is a 2013 graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts, Strategic Communications dual degree in Public Relations and Advertising. She plans to continue on with her education by pursuing her Masters of Business Administration and go on to a career with an advertising and public relations agency.
Heaton was also awarded a wardrobe of Wrangler jeans and shirts, Justin Boots, Bailey hats, Silver Mounted Court’s Saddle and an official Miss Rodeo America trophy buckle from Montana Silversmiths. Accompanying the perpetual Miss Rodeo America tiara made by Landstrom’s Original Black Hills Gold Creations, she was given a wardrobe of matching jewelry. These items, along with a multitude of other valuable and exquisite prizes will be presented to her throughout the year.
Contestants were judged in the major categories of horsemanship, personality, and appearance, competing in the areas of public speaking, personal interviews, modeling, photogenic and rodeo/equine knowledge. Contestants were eligible for $50,000 in scholarships at the 2015 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. In addition to the $20,000 Miss Rodeo America scholarship, Heaton was also awarded the Appearance category, including $1,500 in scholarship and a pair of hand crafted spurs; the $1,000 Sherry Smith Memorial Scholarship.
Lauren is looking forward to seeing all aspects of rodeo while traveling across the country as Miss Rodeo America 2015.
“As part of a fifth-generation family with roots in farming, ranching and rodeo,” Heaton said, “I have a passion for America’s unique Western heritage and its character traits and positive habits that have been fundamental to our nation’s past and keys to its future.
“Younger generations, whether associated with rodeo or not, can catch onto the responsibility, independence, initiative and self-reliance embraced through professional rodeo. The excitement of meeting an upstanding, outgoing, proud representative is sometimes the first way rodeo fans are born.”
Miss Rodeo America, Inc. – an organization developed in 1955 striving to provide a quality Miss Rodeo America competition, enriches the lives of contestants and each year selects a qualified young lady at Miss Rodeo America to serve as a goodwill ambassador promoting the sport of Professional Rodeo.
Courtesy of PRCA