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09-20-05
By Stephen Swanson, 541-737-0789
SOURCE: Stephanie Crop, 503-939-6999
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University senior Trena Loftesness has earned the title of "Miss Rodeo Oregon 2006" and will represent the sport of rodeo and the state of Oregon throughout the West next year.
The 2001 Sherwood High School graduate is no novice when it comes to rodeos or horsemanship.
 Trena Loftesness Click on image to go to downloadable photo |
Her reign as Miss Rodeo Oregon begins on Jan. 1.
"For the whole year of 2006, I'll go to every Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo in Oregon, and I'll also travel outside of Oregon," Loftesness said. "I'll be traveling to parades all over the state, as well as to schools to teach youth about the sport of rodeo and the benefits it brings. One of my big efforts will be to get outsiders involved in rodeo and promote awareness of the sport."
Loftesness is majoring in human development and family sciences at Oregon State and has minors in communication and equine science. She said she was attracted to the OSU campus by academics, but the university's horse programs also caught her attention.
Oregon State has a Horse Center and an equine science program, as well as a number of student groups related to riding, rodeo and horse care. The fact that she could board her horse at the OSU Horse Center helped cinch the deal.
"Horses have always been an important part of my life," Loftesness said. "They taught me about morals, work ethic and about maintaining a positive attitude when things don't go my way.
"Down in Corvallis, I've been really involved in the Horse Center and I've been boarding a horse there. I've also been involved in the Working Cow Horse Program, Reining Club and the Colts Training Program. It's fun to have my horse close by to have lessons, and it gives me an added opportunity to go over and play with my horse."
She also does volunteer work for a local animal shelter.
Loftesness' parents, Alan and Judy Loftesness of Prineville, said they are both proud of their daughter's accomplishments, commitment and hard work.
"We're just super proud of her and how she has blossomed into a great young lady," said Alan Loftesness. "Little did we know that first time she got on a horse that horses would have such an important influence on her growth and maturity."
"Trena's just been so busy this past summer," said Judy Loftesness, pointing to her daughter's hectic schedule. Trena traveled with the current Miss Rodeo Oregon, Camie Johnston of McMinnville, for much of the summer, learning from Johnston the fine points of being Miss Rodeo Oregon.
And for a portion of the summer, Loftesness worked on a sea turtle conservation project in Costa Rica with the International Student Volunteers program. Loftesness' official coronation is scheduled for Feb.24 at the Holiday Inn in Wilsonville.
"We'd like to extend an invitation to everyone to attend the Miss Rodeo Oregon coronation," Judy Loftesness said.
In addition to her Oregon rodeo duties, Loftesness will also prepare for the Miss Rodeo America contest scheduled for December in Las Vegas.
"After graduation from OSU, I would like to go to graduate school for a mass communications or public relations job, but I'll definitely be staying in the West."
OSU is one of only two U.S. universities designated a land grant, sea grant, space grant and sun grant institution. Its more than 19,000 students come from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. OSU programs touch every county within Oregon, and its faculty teach and conduct research on issues of national and global importance.