By Dee Camp
Chronicle staff

     OKANOGAN — Washington State High School Rodeo Queen Jonnie Crossland will head out July 13 to the national competition in New Mexico.
     She also will compete in barrel racing at the nine-day event, which begins July 17 in Farmington, N.M.
     Okanogan County’s four previous state high school rodeo queens held a July 1 luncheon for Crossland in Omak, and also are helping with fund-raising and support.
     “We’re trying to do all we can,” said Krystal Nissen-Ade, who served in 1978.
     Other past queens are Kit Davis Dawson, 1988, Diane Ferguson Kendrick, 1975, and Julie Smith Hensley, 1973.
     Nissen-Ade said Crossland represents every high school and rodeo team in the state during her year-long reign.
     Outfitting a queen is expensive, since she needs several changes of clothing, jewelry, gas, food, tack and other horse needs. Shirts can cost $200 or more and a dress more than $1,200, according to an information sheet the previous queens produced.
     “We are asking that you dig deep in these hard times and be proud that you have helped out this fine young lady that our county and our state can be proud of,” the queens wrote.
     Nissen-Ade said she and her family plan to drive to New Mexico with the Crosslands, who are hauling two horses to New Mexico.
     Crossland won the title in Ellensburg on May 22-24. She was judged on horsemanship, modeling, personality, appearance, a two-minute speech, impromptu speaking, a written test and a personal interview.
     Crossland won the modeling, personality, appearance, speech and impromptu categories.
     During the July 1 luncheon, the past queens showed Crossland their scrapbooks, competition programs and other memorabilia, and presented her with a bracelet. Giddy Up Tailored Western Wear, owned by Colette Jones of Okanogan, and Magoo’s Restaurant also provided support.
     Crossland is the daughter of John and Janet Crossland, Malott, and a student at Okanogan High School.
     Donations toward Crossland’s queen expenses can be sent to Krystal Nissen-Ade, 2 Haussler Road, Omak.


- Prepared by Omak Chronicle staff