On
January 13, MTA representatives Ed Hebbe III and Ed
Hebbe IV traveled to Great Falls to present a new
Miss Rodeo Montana with a coveted fox vest.
The MTA has been a major sponsor of Miss Rodeo
Montana, Inc. for six years. The sponsorship
has become a viable program for the Montana Trappers
Association, Miss Rodeo Montana, rodeo, ranchers,
and land stewards in general.
This years pageant was moved to a
larger facility as the previous one was becoming too
small to continue to hold the throngs of people that
pour in in support of the pageantries. All
contestants go through four days of rigorous
judging, shows and appearances before the final
decision is tabulated and a new Miss Rodeo Montana
is announced.
With only four contestants
entered in this prestigious event, judging becomes
even more difficult, as only one young lady will get
the opportunity to represent Montana, rodeo, and her
sponsors on a statewide and national basis.
Shortly after awards were
presented to the contestants for appearance,
personality, horsemanship, speech, photogenic and
congeniality, the final stage of the coronation for
Miss Rodeo Montana 2002 was set in motion.
For
2002 the Miss Rodeo Montana crown went to Miss Kande
Ellis of Bigfork. Kande is the 20-year-old
daughter of Jack and Kathy Ellis.
Shortly after the coronation
ceremony, Ed III and Ed IV, met and visited with
Kande and her parents. Mother and daughter
were completely elated. Kathy stated her
daughter wanted that fur vest with a passion and it
would go with her everywhere - to bed, the bathroom,
and even the shower. Ed IV stated that would
be fine. Bathroom, yes. Shower no!
Umoungst the tears, joy and
laughter they could hardly believe when told the
vest was Kande's to keep. It would be hers for
life and was not just for the year. The 'thank
yous' were numerous.
Kande was selected in January in
conjunction with the Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo in
Great Falls. Kande was the winner of the Appearance
and Personality categories of the competition.
Kande is a graduate of Bigfork High School and is
attending Flathead Valley Community College. She
plans to graduate from Montana State University with
a double degree in Business Administration and
Theatre and also major in Public Relations, with a
goal towards owning her own business in Montana.
Kande proudly served as the 2000
Northwest Montana Miss Pro Rodeo Queen. She is a
barrel racer with memberships in the Women's
Professional Rodeo Association and is also a member
of the National Barrel Horse Association.
Kande is a Corral West
representative, a wrangler and riding instructor at
Flathead Lake Lodge and was Nascar's 2000 "Miss
Rumble in the Rockies." Kande's modeling
experience has put her on the covers of Montana
Women and Bride's Time Magazine as well as being in
a commercial for S & S Campers.
Kande has been involved with
theatre since high school. She has played leading
roles in "The Foreigner," and "See How
They Run." In High School, Kande won many awards
in speech and drama, worked on the yearbook
committee and was a cheerleader. She held all
offices in her 4-H Club and has won numerous awards
in competitive riding events.
When not at a rodeo, Kande enjoys
rock climbing, rappelling, hunting, scuba diving,
dancing, kick boxing, and is a licensed sky diver.
She is currently pursuing obtaining her pilot's
license.
So, if you think this young lady
doesn't have high goals for herself, you'd be
kidding yourself if she didn't say that 'the
sky's the limit.' Heck, seems to me she's
already conquered that!
Appearance *
Personality * Photogenic
Kande
is the 20 year old daughter of Jack and Kathy Ellis
of Bigfork. She is a graduate of Bigfork High School
and is currently attending Flathead Valley Community
College.
Kande was involved with yearbook,
cheerleading, and speech & drama in High School. In
2000 she served as the Northwest Montana Miss Pro
Rodeo Queen and was first runner-up in the 2001 Miss
Rodeo Pageant. Kande has been featured on the cover
of Montana Woman Magazine, has modeled for the
Bride's Time Magazine and has been in a commercial
for S & S Campers. She enjoys barrel racing and is a
member of the WPRA, and is also a licensed skydiver.
She plans to obtain a double degree in Business
Administration and Theatre and also major in Public
Relations, with a goal towards owning her own
business in Montana.
