As a major sponsor of Miss Rodeo Montana, the Montana Trappers Association started a new century off in style. Ed Hebbe III, Ed Hebbe IV, and Fran Buell traveled to Great Falls in January to help coronate a new Miss Rodeo Montana and present this year's winner with a red fox and shadow fox fur vest.

The coronation took place in a completely packed room this year. As it has continued to grow over the past couple of years, the coronation ceremonies will more than likely have to be moved to a larger arena due to its continued growth in popularity. This is a good sign for both rodeo and the MTA. This year there were eight young ladies vying for the coveted position of being Miss Rodeo Montana 2000 from all parts of Montana.

To become Miss Rodeo Montana it takes a young lady with high moral and ethical character, an accomplished speaker and public relations specialist. She must understand rodeo in its entirety and be able to explain it in detail to anyone she meets, always portraying good sportsmanship and careful, humane treatment of animals. The experiences she'll have and the contacts she'll make through the year will provide numerous opportunities for her future.

As the ceremonies took place there were lots of happy tears for the outgoing Miss Rodeo Montana 1999, Mariah Sinerius. She presented a speech prior to the coronation of the new Miss Rodeo Montana, which centered around her experiences over the past year and working with those who were this year's contestants, what they could expect during the year and what they should expect in their lives no matter who walked away with the title of Miss Rodeo Montana 2000. All in all I don't believe there was a dry eye in the place.

After the final tallies were added, and sponsors thanked, the new Miss Rodeo Montana was presented. This year the honor of representing Montana and rodeo goes to Miss Mandi Holland of Dillon.

Mandi is the 21 year old daughter of Tom and Patti Holland of Dillon. She is a graduate of Beaverhead County High School and is attending Montana State University, majoring in pre-vet, and has applied to vetrinarary school. She has qualified for the College Finals Rodeo in breakaway roping and goat tying, is a member of the Dean's List and the MSU choir. In high school she was Girls State Alternate, top 10 in her class and qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals. She was first runner-up to Miss Teen Montana, served as the 1995 Montana High School Rodeo Queen, and the 1999 Dillon Rodeo Queen. Mandi enjoys water and snow skiing, hiking, volleyball and rodeoing. In addition to pursuing a veterinary career, Mandi would enjoy working in disease research and pharmaceutical sales.

Mandi will take on the duties as Montana's "First Lady of Rodeo." She will attend Montana's professional rodeos, appear in parades and at many community events throughout the state, give countless speeches to clubs and organizations, numerous radio and television interviews, and coordinate kiddie rodeos. She will also travel to some of the larger rodeos in the U.S. and Canada, representing Montana and promoting our own rodeos.

This year's Miss Rodeo Montana is a real "fire cracker" and will represent Montana, rodeo and the MTA as an outstanding spokesperson. If you get the chance during the year, thank her for all her hard work at a rodeo near you.

Mandi will be present for the MTA during this year's M.O.R.E. show in Billings, and at fairs in Kalispell and Great Falls, not to mention the rendezvous in September.