* Miss Rodeo Montana 2006 *

* Speech, Horsemanship, Projection & Presentation *

Cassidy Han from Inverness, is the 21 year old daughter of Allen and Barbara Han. Cassidy is a 2002 graduate of Blue Sky High School where she was a basketball MVP, Volleyball MVP, and high point thrower in track and field.  She also excelled in choir and was the superior vocal solo at State Music Festival. In 2002 she held the title of Miss Northern Montana Rodeo. She is currently attending Carroll College, and will graduate in May 2006 with a degree in history.  She plans to attend graduate school to get her Ph.D. in American West History, to eventually become a history professor and a published historical author.

Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Montana
My first memory of rodeo is seeing purple metallic chaps fly around the arena on a beautiful queen. As Miss Rodeo Montana I hope to influence young and old across the country and bring the wonder, beauty, and awe of America’s first sport to people everywhere.

* 2nd Runner Up *

* Congeniality, Photogenics *

Lesli Furniss from Frenchtown, is the 19 year old daughter of Jerry Furniss and Kelly Maier. Lesli graduated with honors from Frenchtown High School in 2004 and was active in student body government and was a basketball MVP in 2002. She is a 2004 Licensed Guide with the Montana Board of Outfitters and holds hunter’s and bow hunter’s safety certificates and is first aid certified. She has completed one year of studies at Montana State University and will be transferring to the University of Montana in the spring to pursue her studies in pre-ed. Her goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon specializing in rodeo athletes as well as doing knee, hip and shoulder replacements. She would also like to have an outfitting business.

Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Montana
I have had a lifelong passion for rodeo and love for the down to earth nature of rodeo people. I would love to find ingenious ways to raise money for the PRCA and bring attention to my hometown rodeo. I would also enjoy helping the stock contractors and making everybody’s job easier while I serve as the first lady of this nation’s fastest growing sport.

* 1st Runner Up *

* Style Show, Personality, Appearance *

Megan Hardy from Wolf Point, is the 21 year old daughter of Mark and Rita Hardy. Megan was active with High School Rodeo, qualifying four times for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Cutting, and was involved with 4-H for eight years. She held the title of 2004 Miss Rodeo North Dakota State Fair, and has received scholarships for drama, dance, and rodeo. Currently Megan is an Elementary Education Major at Montana State University-Bozeman, and plans to teach in a rural Montana elementary school.

Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Montana
I want to be Miss Rodeo Montana because I know I can offer the title a level of maturity, experience, and vast knowledge of rodeo to help escalate not only the title of Miss Rodeo Montana, but also the sport of rodeo to a higher level. Over the years rodeo has taught me most of all, responsibility and strong family ethics. As Miss Rodeo Montana, I want to give back to rodeo what it has given me by sharing these important values to the young and young at heart.

Callie Freeman from Clinton, is the 23 year old daughter of Jeff and Maria Freeman. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Montana Western with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Communication. Callie received the 2004 Rodeo Project of the Year award for directing the Miss Dillon Jaycee Pageant as well as the 2005 Regional Presidential Citation for Distinguished leadership and service to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. Callie was 2001 Miss Rodeo Western Montana and 2002 Miss Dillon Jaycee Rodeo Queen. She holds a certificate of completion for Montana Real Estate Salesperson national & state exams. She plans to work for an established real estate firm in Montana as an agent specializing in ranch and resort properties, with a goal of one day owning her own firm.

Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Montana
This is the opportunity I’ve been looking for, a position of leadership where my rural background, giving spirit, and concern for community can be put to use. Having been involved with rodeo and Miss Rodeo Pageants in Montana for seven years as a fan, contestant, judge and director, I have the experience, and enthusiasm to be Miss Rodeo Montana 2006.

* Sportsmanship *

Michaela LeVeque from Cascade, is the 23 year old daughter of Dale and Lillian Leveque. Michaela was active with 4-H and FFA at the local and state level, and held the title of 2004 Miss Rodeo State Fair. She has an Associates of Science degree in Agro-ecology as well as a Bachelors of Science degree in Agriculture Education Broadfield from Montana State University-Bozeman. Michaels plans to pursue her Master’s Degree in plant science, and would like to pass on her knowledge of Montana Agriculture to the youth of Montana through the FFA and 4-H programs.

Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Montana
I want to become Miss Rodeo Montana to promote a sport I have come to love. It combines the western lifestyle, family values, and friendship that mean so much to me. I want to promote rodeo as a very important part of Montana’s western/agricultural background.