With the Labour Day weekend fast approaching, the reign of Cochrane Lions Rodeo Royalty queen and princess will be coming to an end.
Monique Uittenbogerd and Kaitlin Paul have been representing Cochrane for the past year as the queen and princess respectively, and both say the experience has meant a lot to each of them.
“This past year has been fun, exciting and educational,” said Uittenbogerd, “but to me, it was really about being a worthy role model. As Rodeo Royalty, little girls will look up to you, as I myself once did, so it is really neat to see what an impact you can have.”
Paul said the experience of being princess has offered her the chance to give back to her community in many ways.
“I have been able to help at volunteer, senior and community events,” she said, “as well as out of town rodeos and events.”
Much like Uittenbogerd, Paul said being an ambassador for the town of Cochrane has afforded her the chance to be a role model for area youth, something she has learned a lot about over the past year.
Uittenbogerd said she has learned to appreciate how the little things can affect someone’s day.
“Just a smile or a short conversation can make a once mediocre day that much better,” she said.
For Paul, attending the Cochrane Community Awards was a highlight of her stint as princess.
“I was able to be there supporting and congratulating well-run businesses and ambassadors for our town,” said Paul, adding that she also enjoyed the Giddy-Up-Grits event at the Calgary Stampede, a breakfast event for special needs children.
“I thought this event was so great because we were able to make such a huge impact in many of the kids’ lives,” she said. “I was so happy to be able to put so many smiles on people’s faces throughout the day.”
Uittenbogerd recalled the Stampede night she and Paul learned to square dance. She also fondly remembers another night – the night her and Paul were crowned at the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Grounds.
“It had been a tough summer for my family, so my mother and I might have shed a few tears when my name was announced,” Uittenbogerd said.
Now that their time as queen and princess is coming to an end, the ladies have some advice for whomever takes over their crowns.
“Embrace being professional and embrace your year,” Uittenbogerd said. “Our royalty committee is amazing and give up so much of their time, so just remember to say ‘thank you.’”
“Cherish every moment of the year and try to learn and grow as a person at every event that you are able to attend,” Paul added, echoing Uittenbogerd’s sentiment that there will be several opportunities to meet so many amazing people.
“You will meet so many people and have lots of once-in-a-lifetime moments that you will truly have to soak it all in,” said Uittenbogerd.
Paul said her future includes the desire to attend the University of Calgary’s veterinary program and to volunteer in Bolivia at an equine therapy centre for special needs children and families.
For Uittenbogerd, in addition to studying commerce at U of C, she hopes her rodeo royalty run won’t come to a halt quite yet.
“I’m looking into running for a pro rodeo royalty program so I can pursue the title of Miss Rodeo Canada,” she said.
The deadline to fill out the application to be the 2015/16 Cochrane Rodeo Royalty queen or princess was July 31.
Scottish Highland dancer Corrine Blair is the sole applicant thus far for Cochrane’s Rodeo Royalty. The crown changes hands Labour Day weekend on the final day of the Cochrane Labour Day Rodeo.
