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It was an emotional scene Saturday night
at the Cypress Centre during the crowning of the 2008 Medicine Hat
Rodeo Queen and Princess as friends, family and members of the
public came out to see the new royalty.
ALEX MCCUAIG
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It was an emotional scene Saturday night
at the Cypress Centre during the crowning of the 2008 Medicine Hat
Rodeo Queen and Princess as friends, family and members of the
public came out to see the new royalty.
It was a tough two weeks for judges and
contestants alike, but in what many say was a race in which any of
the girls could have won, Rae-Leigh Pederzolli won the
queen’s title while Caralee Halmrast is the new princess.
Medicine Hat Crown prosecutor and a judge
of the competition, Stephanie Cleary, said it was hard to pick out
one girl who stood above the rest.
“They are all wonderful young women
and very accomplished,” she said.
“I really admire them, they are
young but they have accomplished so much already. It was tough to
make the call between any of them but both of these young ladies
will do a great job.”
Chairperson for the rodeo queen committee,
Lois Rissling, said the competition this year was
“awesome.”
“The girls always make a great bond
with each other and, as a committee, we can’t have asked for
any more,” she said.
“Any two of the five could have
carried this crown very easily.”
Pederzolli was flush with excitement as
she expressed her happiness in winning the queen’s crown.
“This (competition) was something I
looked at last year but didn’t decide to enter until this
spring,” she said.
“The week itself was wonderful and I
can’t imagine what this year will be like.”
The Medicine Hat native said she had
watched many former queens at the local stampede but never imagined
that she would be wearing the crown one day.
“I am so honoured to represent this
city. I was born and raised here and I think it’s a fabulous
city and a great place to live.”
Rodeo Princess Caralee Halmrast was also
beaming with joy.
“I’m looking forward to
getting out there with Rae-Leigh and showing people what Medicine
Hat cowgirls can do,” she said.
The next week will be a busy one for the
two young ladies with functions, pancake breakfasts and, of course,
the Medicine Hat Rodeo which starts this Thursday with the parade
at 9 a.m. |
