By Matt Crownover
Chronicle staff

     Six judges chose Amanda Emerson over Katie Fergus as 2009 Miss Omak Stampede during the annual Omak Stampede banquet Nov. 1 at the Elks Lodge in Omak.
     The announcement was made in front of an audience of about 140. Emerson succeeds Page Davisson.
     "It feels great," Emerson said. "I'm really looking forward to the experience."
     Emerson is a 2008 graduate of Omak High School and is a freshman at Central Washington University. She is the daughter of Marilyn and Tracy Oestreich.
     The event required the two contestants to answer two impromptu questions, give a speech and model Western wear for the nominating committee, made up of B.J. Bleakney, Gene Allen, Janice Wilson, Laurie Covington, Roxie Pelton and Marla Moomaw.
     One of the impromptu questions required a response from the contestants on how they would respond to an animal rights activist who felt the Suicide Race was a cruel and vicious display.
     "Depending on how violent and belligerent the animal rights activist was acting would determine how I would respond," said Fergus, a senior at Okanogan High School. "If they were acting really belligerent, I would call 911."
     The question also was posed to Emerson.
     "I would tell them that it doesn't happen very often and it was just a coincidence that it happened while they were there," she said. "The horses are trained and vet checked before competing."
     Emerson won the horsemanship award, based on the results of an Oct. 25 competition. Fergus was named most photogenic.
     Before relinquishing all of her responsibilities, Davisson thanked everyone for supporting her during the past year.
     "The best part for me was all of the people that I got to meet along the way," said Davisson, who said it was especially memorable for her to meet Glenna Johnson-Post, who was Miss Omak Stampede 1949. "She's sort of an inspiration to me."
     Davisson offered words of advice to both Emerson and Fergus.
     "One thing I can say is, there's going to be ups and downs along the way but there's always going to be brighter days," she said.
     Several other individuals were honored during the banquet and dinner.
     Longtime Omak resident Mary Henrie was inducted into the Omak Stampede Hall of Fame for her contributions to Stampede throughout the years.
     "She is friend to all and an enemy to none," said Diana Parker who, along with husband Ed, were inducted into the hall of fame in 2007.
     Henrie was given a standing ovation as she was presented the hall of fame statuette.
     "I'm very proud of the Omak Stampede and I think you guys do a wonderful job," Henrie said. "This is a little embarrassing."
     Dwayne Hargo was named to the Hall of Fame in August.
     Grand parade director Connie Thomas was named committeeman of the year.
     "It takes a lot out of me but I enjoy it and I love it," Thomas said.
     Royalty director Shauna Beeman was given the rawhide award and Mike Ables was given the John Justin committee person award.
     Karmen Beeman announced new members of the associate board and friends board.
     New associate board members include Leon Hoover, Marilyn Oestreich, Boyd and Cozette Buzzard, Susan Bell, Deb Walters, Tim and Paige Patrick, Greg and Kathy Talmadge, Andy and Debbie Lampe, Jed Kretz, Monte Morgan, Chet Hutton, Bink Picard, and Cy and Heather Byrd.
     New friends board members include Alfred Carden, Richard Wipple, Richard and Bonnie Rawson, Page Davisson, and Ron and Marie Stevens.
     Stampede president George Dunckel gave the president's report and the treasurer's report. Stampede celebrated its 75th year in 2008.
     "It's been a great year and I know that the only way this will continue is because of the dedication from the volunteers," Dunckel said. "Next year we have even bigger challenges ahead of us."
     Dunckel said Stampede brought in total revenue of around $474,000. The amount spent was around $473,000, meaning the event made a profit of $1,082.
     Additionally, Dunckel said $1 of every beer garden purchase was set aside to help with construction of the new arena. Dunckel said 11,000 cups of beer were sold, totaling $11,000 that goes toward construction costs.
     Also, $4,700 was raised for the Tough Enough to Wear Pink breast cancer fund.
     While accepting her award, Henrie offered to auction off an original Omak Stampede poster from 1993 to go toward the cost of construction.
     Auctioneer Larry Campbell was in attendance to auction off the poster, which was sold to Ron Smith for $500.
     Brian Bowes was master of ceremonies.