Long Live the Queen
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Janae Francis
Standard-Examiner staff
Miss Rodeo Utah prepares to pass on her crown
OGDEN -- There may have been a lot going on at the Ogden Pioneer Days rodeo Thursday and Friday nights but all eyes seemed to be on one person.
That person was Cami Cushing, Miss Rodeo Utah.
As the 23-year-old Sandy woman sat in the arena preparing to push calves and steers, rodeo officials, cowboys and even rodeo clowns made their way by to speak to her.
"I've worked hard to earn the respect of the rodeo committees and the cowboys," she said.
While she'll be giving up her title Tuesday during the single-most anticipated event during the five-day rodeo, she said no one will ever be able to take away what she's gained from the experience.
"This crown, I've got to give it up, but nobody can take away the friends I've made and the people I've met," she said.
Since winning the title one year ago, Cushing has acted as the official spokeswoman and ambassador for Western-oriented events in Utah. She has crisscrossed the country to promote both her home state and the sport that she holds dear to her heart.
Cushing didn't want to estimate the number of miles she's traveled, for fear of being wrong.
But she said she knows she's made more than 100 official appearances at various places, including a number of hospitals and rest homes, and she's attended more than 65 different rodeos.
Rodeos are kind of the cherry on the cake," she said.
But her most memorable experience, by far, was taking her crown to Ascencion, Mexico, where she spent five days visiting elementary schools and passing out Hoola Hoops to the students and blowing bubbles with them.
"We had that language barrier," she said. "I showed them that I could say hola and adios."
She said those she visited did their best to speak to her, as well.
"These little girls would come up to you and they couldn't speak hardly any English but they could say princess," she said. "A princess is here."
She's also traveled to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming, to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in Texas and to Kansas, Nebraska and Idaho.
At the Miss Rodeo America pageant in Las Vegas last winter, Cushing was named second runner-up.
Cushing said the one thing that gives her the most pride about her accomplishments is realizing what a great support system she has in her family and friends.
"Without family and friends and sponsors, I would not be here," she said, "not just in the last year but in the last 10 years.
"They have been with me through hot parades and all of it."
When asked what her favorite place or event was, she said it didn't matter where she was, she enjoyed carrying the American flag the most.
She said she had learned great respect for the flag from a grandfather and it gave her a sense of honor to carry the flag.
"There is nothing neater than carrying Old Glory and all eyes are on you," she said.
She said the experience brought her great excitement.
"That was pretty close to winning Miss Rodeo Utah because I carry it with pride," she said.
Regarding her plans for the future, Cushing said she has some job prospects and she wants to go back to school to take advantage of scholarship funds she won in the contest.
Besides that, she hopes she can start a family in the near future.
"Hopefully I'll meet Prince Charming," she said. "I've met a lot of good guys, but I haven't met 'the one.' "
"I keep saying 'Dad, where's my knight in shining armor?' " she said. "He says he's buffing up that armor."
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