NWA Angels & PBR

This past weekend was a bunch of fun. I started my Saturday morning and afternoon with one of the most inspiring appearances I have made thus far. My mom was watching the news and saw the "NWA Angels Pageant" being advertised as a beauty contest for all children with special needs, ages 4 mos. to 72 years of age. Everyone got a trophy/crown and sash. Immediately mom called me and said, "Tori, you have GOT to get all of your rodeo queen gear on and go see these kids!" Because special needs is a great passion of mine, I made it there just as the pageant was starting and had a wonderful time. They had so many great things going on there, like every contestant got a professional photo and their hair and make up done. They made every individual feel like a true winner! I got to escort in such beautiful girls and guys to receive their individual, customized titles and prizes. It was such a humbling and amazing experience for me.

And of course, I HAD to attend Buckin' in the Ozarks at my own Parsons Stadium. Signing autographs for kids, eating nachos and watching the PBR... There's not much better than that to make a successful Saturday night. I had a blast hosting Miss Teen Rodeo Arkansas, Taylor Young as well! She's such a beauty and I am so proud of all of her accomplishments! Well, no trailer or truck failures this weekend, so I am pretty thankful and blessed for that, too. Until next time!

Tori Miller

 Sweet Lauren and me!

 Lauren had to show us her fingernails!

 So many great volunteers!

Ball Pit fun :)

PBR!

Taylor Young and me!

Royalty and Roadsides

Well, my friends... It's been an eventful day! I woke up in the early morning with my Weimaraner and felt an immediate excitement come over me. It's Miss Rodeo Arkansas coronation day! My mom, dad, and I all piled in the truck to cheer on the girls competing for the Miss, Teen, Jr., Princess, and Sweetheart Rodeo Arkansas titles! I am SO proud to say that all of the girls did so incredibly well, and my gal pal Kelsey Parmenter brought home the Miss Rodeo Arkansas title, and the lovely Taylor Young is now your new Miss Teen Rodeo Arkansas! I was honored to be a part of their special day through modeling and sharing a bit about Rodeo of the Ozarks before coronation.
We also brought home our new (to us) trailer, and what cowgirl wouldn't be over the moon excited about that?! A few miles down the road, someone shouted to us from truck to truck on the highway, saying that two of the tires blew and before we knew it we were stranded in a dollar general parking lot. Of course we were just ready to get home, but I was reminded of an invaluable quality of our state and this community. Multiple people stopped by to check on us and make sure that we had a plan. I have to say a special thank you to Wesley Beason, firefighter in Pottsville, for taking time to offer us a place for our trailer in case we got stranded. Thankfully, with the help of my Uncle Marty Samuels and Highway 7 Auto Parts, we were able to leave our trailer for repairs and will get it back in no time! So as we drive home with Alison Krauss on the radio (it's tradition) and laughing together over the day, I wouldn't have it any other way. We are just making memories on our rodeo road. Crossett, here we come! Tori Miller

 Our new home away from home!

 The lovely Katie Clark, Miss Old Fort Days

Miss Arkansas State Fair Bethe Barnett, Miss Old Fort Days Katie Clark, and I!

 The wonderful Stephanie Kaeppel, Miss Rodeo Arkansas 2014

My girl Taylor Young, the NEW Miss Teen Rodeo Arkansas!

My sweet friend Kelsey Parmenter, your new Miss Rodeo Arkansas!

Hello to all!

My name is Tori Miller, and I am so thankful to have been crowned Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks 2014. Not only is this a goal I have been wanting to accomplish since I was a little girl, but it's truly a dream come true. Even a couple of weeks later, I wake up and waltz into the living room and I'm still taken aback by my beautiful saddle on its stand in the living room reading, "Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks 2014."  I have to double take and say  to myself, "No... that can't be mine." I feel a glow come over me as I realize that it's indeed real life, and I am bubbling with thankfulness. First, I must say thank you to my family and friends who invested so much time into helping me get to where I am. I may be a bit partial, but I think that I have the best support system in the world. I also need to say thank you to the Rodeo board (one of the best groups of people you'll ever meet) and express how excited I am to start this memorable year! In fact, it's already begun. I visited my first rodeo as MROTO this past weekend in Huntsville, Arkansas. Everyone at the Madison County Rodeo was so supportive and kind, and it was definitely a wonderful start to my year. I also loved getting to be a part of their own coronation for a new "Miss Madison County Princess" and "Miss Madison County Junior Queen." Seeing the looks on the girls' faces warmed me up inside because just a few weeks ago I was in their shoes. The hours of preparation and memorization come down to that night. All of the ladies looked so beautiful, and they all did so well. Congratulations to Katie and Rose on your new titles!

So, here's to the start of a wonderful and beautiful year. I hope that you all will join me on this journey as Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks 2014 and help me continue to celebrate the wonderful legacy and sport of rodeo!

Tori Miller

PS- Did I mention that I got to meet Miss Rodeo USA, Elisa Swenson? Well, I did. That happened.

After my Rodeo of the Ozarks Coronation

Miss Rodeo USA, Elisa Swenson

My new buddy, Colby

My first Grand Entry as Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks 2014!