POCATELLO - While the professional rodeo circuit has chosen to bypass this community, the high school version of the sport has seen fit to make Pocatello the center of its universe with the state high school rodeo finals in town for the next week. Along with the on-turf competition, the choice of a rodeo queen is also on the agenda, and with a dozen smart and talented young ladies vying for the crown and scepter, the game is wide open.
"These girls are a great caliber, are working so hard and have a lot of things going for them," said director Lynette Smith, a Utah native and state and nation sovereign herself. "In some years, you can see a girl or two who is so far ahead, but right now all of them are so competitive that it looks like it could be anyone's crown."
A queen's duties include being responsible for the state, nation and sponsor flags, selling raffle tickets to aid the cure for cancer cause and to act as an ambassador for high school rodeo. After a week of week of being judged on their horsemanship sills, modeling, making public speeches, answering impromptu questions and being interviewed one-on-one, a new winner will be chosen Saturday morning at the Pocatello Fairgrounds.
"Being here will no doubt help their confidence and self-esteem," Smith added. "No matter where they finish this week, just being a part of it is a wonderful and amazing experience."
The 12 competitors include Isabello Stoakes and Burgandie Bullock of Pocatello, Hunter Rackham and Kylee Finn of Rigby, Sisters Samantha and Allesha Arehart of Lewiston, Utah, as well as Cassie Curtis, BreAnna Olson, Jayde Wilson, Cara Malone, Margi Hawkes, and Brandi Huizar. The current queen is Burgandie's older sister, Maicie
Maicie Bullock is the 17-year old daughter of Bart and Brandie Bullock of Pocatello. She is a graduate of Pocatello High, where she was involved in the National Honors Society, Business Professionals of America, and was a member of the cheer team. She also goat ties, team ropes and was her rodeo club president. After claiming the state crown, she finished fifth runner-up at the national high school finals in 2011, placing in interview, horsemanship, written test, and winning first in impromptu speaking.
In her last competition in the 2012 finals, she swept through state and then claimed the national crown in Rock Springs, Wyo. "I did it again because I wanted to go back to nationals and was bound and determined," she said. "All of these girls are just as determined. It should be a very interesting race."
And Maicie's advice to these no doubt nervous young ladies? "Just be yourself and let your personality shine," she said. "Do not be a robot, talk to people naturally, because the judges can see through that ."
It has made it really easy for her to be able to talk to be believe in myself amazing experience after I give up the titles, I She also spoke about the advantages of competing for and winning the crown, saying that it has made it really easy for her to be able to talk to anyone and to believe in herself, skills that she will have even after she has given up the titles.
Currently enrolled at Idaho State University and planning to major in marketing, she was a shy young girl, but being involved in rodeo queening since her freshman year has brought her out of her shell, just like it has to all of these current challengers.
"My heart was racing for them," Maicie Bullock said. "They all have so much potential. I can't wait to see who takes the title."