Miss Rodeo Nebraska dedicates year to friend who died in
accident
By Craig Jones
The North Platte Telegraph
Kamera Ferrel is looking forward to the possibility of
receiving the ultimate birthday present.
The Hay Springs native, who has the title of Miss Rodeo
Nebraska 2000, has hopes of claiming the crown of Miss Rodeo
America when the winner is announced on her birthday, Dec. 2,
during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
"I hope to represent Nebraska and the sport of rodeo to
the best of my abilities," she said. "Regardless of
the outcome, I will walk away with a wealth of knowledge and
friendships I'll keep the rest of my life."
Since being crowned at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo last year during
Nebraskaland Days, Ferrel said she has traveled extensively to
promote rodeo and her home state. She has been to a number of
surrounding states as well as Canada for the Calgary Stampede
last July.
She has also spent a great deal of time preparing for the
national contest, including collecting appropriate clothing
and working on her public-speaking skills. She said the
highlight so far has been her coronation at her hometown and
the show of support from the people in the area.
"That was probably the biggest event Hay Springs has ever
had," she said. "Their support has been great. There
are even going to be a couple of bus loads of people coming
out to Las Vegas."
The past year hasn't been entirely a rose garden for Ferrel. A
close friend she met while attending the University of
Wyoming, Cassie Ann Parish, was killed in an automobile
accident last August. In January, she also lost a great uncle
who supported her in her endeavors.
"I've dedicated this year to (Cassie)," she said.
"It has all been somewhat trying, but overall it has been
a wonderful time. People have reminded me that even though
there are trials in life, it's the moments you're happy that
you remember the most.
"Working with Mardee Swanson, Sharon Halligan and Lolly
Klug and the rest of the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association has
been the most memorable experience of my life so
far."
Ferrel, 22, graduated in May from Wyoming, with a bachelor's
degree in social work. She said she will put work toward a
master's degree on hold until after December and the Miss
Rodeo America contest.
She has come to know Miss Nebraska Becky Smith, and the two
had hoped to join forces to visit schools and interact with
kids and try to motivate them to stay in school, and from
Ferrel's perspective, tell them about the sport of rodeo.
Their schedules didn't allow that to happen, but Ferrel said
she hopes to develop a relationship with the new Miss Nebraska
to follow through on the project.
"We can show them that here are two people representing
Nebraska from different walks of life," she said.
"We can demonstrate that if you set goals for yourself,
you can accomplish a lot. "I'm a small-town girl, and
I've made it this far."
Ferrel will be involved in the Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2001
contest this year during Nebraskaland Days, with the new queen
crowned during the Wednesday performance of the Buffalo Bill
Rodeo. She will also sing the National Anthem prior to at
least two of the performances.
"Rodeo has been a big part of my life," she said.
"To do public relations work and also be a representative
of Nebraska has been a great honor."
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Miss Rodeo Nebraska makes plans for national pageant in Las
Vegas, Nev.
By Craig Jones
The North Platte Telegraph
Self-confidence is an important personal asset, whether one is
talking to a dozen young people at a small rural school or
singing the National Anthem -- on horseback -- before
thousands of people.
Miss Rodeo Nebraska Kamera Ferrel has faced those extremes,
and many situations in between over the past year. The
23-year-old Hay Springs native recently met with students at
Rosedale Elementary School northwest of North Platte to
explain her role as Miss Rodeo Nebraska and encourage them to
study, set educational goals and stay in school.
Earlier this summer, she sang the national anthem prior to
each performance of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo during Nebraskaland
Days. Through her travels, she has already put 41,000 miles on
her vehicle since Jan. 1. The appearances all aid in her
preparation for competing with 35 other state queens in the
Miss Rodeo America pageant Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 during the
National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
In addition to her public appearances, she has designed her
own clothing, worked with a horsemanship trainer, studied
animal health and wrote a three-minute speech about Nebraska
that she will be judged on during the contest.
"I feel pretty confident. I know I can do a good job out
there," she said. "But in my heart, I know if I win
or lose, my life will be great. There are things I can do if I
don't win that I'm looking forward to. Being Miss Rodeo
America is a lot to look forward to, also.
"I'm going out with high hopes and high expectations of
myself, knowing I would be able to handle the job."
Handling the job of being a youngster was at times difficult
for Ferrel, though likely not more so than other kids. She was
the brunt of comments such as, "Hey, Kamera, take my
picture." She shares her life's trials with students such
as those at Rosedale, with the philosophy that they can see
that a successful woman -- a rodeo queen/Wyoming University
graduate with a bachelor's degree in social work -- also
experienced some unhappy times.
"Then they can identify with you," she said.
"It's an issue I can use that leads to everything else I
talk about."
In addition to encouraging young students to practice good
study and social habits, she also talks about Western heritage
and that rodeo is a humane sport. Speaking at schools is not
something that is required of Miss Rodeo Nebraska title
holders, but Ferrel said it has been a common practice. She
has a coloring book with cowboy and rodeo scenes, a popular
item that acts as an ice-breaker, especially for younger
kids.
She said it gets the kids to ask questions, such as in the
case of an Omaha second-grader who asked why there isn't a
rodeo king.
"It gives me a visual aid and has made a huge
difference," she said. "I made it known that I would
visit schools if they wanted me to, and I've been to every one
that asked me that fit into my schedule."
Ferrel said a busload of Hay Springs residents are planning to
venture to Las Vegas to support her in her efforts, and that
there is always a large contingent from North Platte that make
the trip.
"I'd like to personally invite everyone to see what the
Miss Rodeo America pageant is all about," she said.
"You can't have too many fans."
A sendoff party for Ferrel is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at
the Elks Club in North Platte.
She will present her speech about Nebraska and model the
clothing she plans to wear during the Miss Rodeo America
pageant in Las Vegas.
Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults. They are
available at the Nebraskaland Days office, Mill Iron or from
any Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association member.
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