Titleholder Tuesday!

"It's always better to overdress than under dress."-Marjorie Murphy

I'm sure this next titleholder is one that you all have been waiting for. Former Miss Rodeo Texas and Miss Rodeo America, this week we have the one and only Lisa Lageschaar! Along with capturing the title of Miss Rodeo America, Lisa also took home the Written Test, Appearance, and Personality category awards! Keep reading to find out what her year was like, what she has been up to since giving up her title in December, and what she learned from the late Marjorie Murphy.

What was running through your head the moment you heard your name called as Miss Rodeo America 2017?
​I honestly couldn’t believe that my name had just been called! I thought, “God, is this real?” I was so excited but shocked! Prior to the top five selection I was called tenth out of ten for the top ten selection, and began to wonder if I even placed top ten when the emcee had called out nine names and mine was not one of them. I know everything happens for a reason, but I surely thought I was supposed to be in the top ten. I stood there bewildered because I had a sense of peace before walking on the stage for the announcement of top ten, but that sense of peace quickly turned to a feeling of unease, then relief when my name was called! The roller coaster of emotions continued when I was called third in top five and then was shuffled backstage with the four other top five contestants to answer our final question. When the official results were being announced and I was still standing there holding Mikayla Sich’s (Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2016) hand after second runner-up had been announced it was like the top ten announcement all over again, but reversed!

What was one of your most memorable moments from being Miss Rodeo America?
​I traveled to some amazing places and met even more amazing people during my year as Miss Rodeo America, but one of the most special memories was getting to be a part of Rodeo Austin. If it wasn’t for Rodeo Austin I would have never been Miss Rodeo Texas, let alone Miss Rodeo America. I was Miss Rodeo Austin in 2014; I had worked so hard and made several sacrifices to earn that title. Being a full time student and working nearly full time while balancing my rodeo schedule was no easy feat, but the $16,000 scholarship I received paid off my masters degree made it all worth it! I told myself before competing for Miss Rodeo Austin that if I could win that title I would run for Miss Rodeo Texas, if not, I wouldn’t. I couldn’t justify it financially and also didn’t feel I would be competitive. Holding the title of Miss Rodeo Austin motivated me, inspired me, and made it financially possible for me to pursue my dreams. Even though I did not win Miss Rodeo Texas the first time, the feeling of being crowned Miss Rodeo Austin 2014 is one I’ll never forget -- like being crowned Miss Rodeo America 2017. Attending Rodeo Austin as Miss Rodeo America felt like I got to come home with the most prestigious crown in the world on my hat. To top it off, I now have over $52,000 in scholarship money from the Miss Rodeo America and Miss Rodeo Texas organizations that will pay for my entire doctorate degree!

Now that it has been a few months since you have given up your title, what has life been like after the crown? How did Miss Rodeo America prepare you for it?
Busy! I’m not sure how I managed to still be so busy after a year of non-stop travel, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I have served and will serve as a clinician at several rodeo queen clinics across the country, I have been coaching aspiring rodeo queens, doing a little modeling, riding my new barrel horse I purchased last month, roping when I can, preparing for summer rodeos, vacationing, and I recently became the National Little Britches Royalty Pageant Coordinator. I plan to go back to teaching high school agriculture in the 2018-2019 school year and begin my doctoral work the following year. Miss Rodeo America prepared me in many ways. The connections and friends I made have helped me advance in my career and strengthened passion for the western and rodeo industries. I also will be able to graduate with my doctorate degree debt free thanks to Miss Rodeo America; knowing that is a feeling unlike any other!

One of the things you did during your reign that I thought was cool was you got to team rope with Keith Isley, ProRodeo Comedy Act of the Year. Since Miss Rodeo America spends her year promoting rodeo instead of competing, what was it like to get to rope at a rodeo for fun during your year?
I must say I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous to rope a steer in my life. I was wearing my crown and banner on a borrowed horse I had been on for less than five minutes in split reins, with a borrowed rope and a borrowed glove. I was not only representing Lisa, but the entire Miss Rodeo America organization. My nerves were eased a bit when Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira (leading the team roping world standings at the time) roped just before Keith and I did and ended up empty handed. Of course, they were going for first, and I was just trying to catch, but it relieved a little pressure. It was exhilarating -- so much fun!

For many girls interview is very intimidating, what advice would you give to help make that phase of competition easier and more relaxed?
​My best advice for interview is to do all the preparation possible before the interview -- days, weeks, and months before. When in the interview allow preparation to meet opportunity. An interview is the opportunity for a contestant to share all about themselves and why they are the best candidate for the position. Before entering a contest or going through an interview, contestants should do some soul searching and be sure of who they are, what they stand for and why they’re doing what they’re doing. Be sure to know the answer to “why?” “why am I doing this?” Dig deep and make the answer personal. Practice answering questions at home in front of a mirror (there are several sample pageant and rodeo questions online that can be found by a quick Google search), go through mock interviews, get help from someone who has experience with rodeo queen interviews, and have discussions with friends, family members and professionals in the rodeo, agriculture and equine industries about pertinent information. Having discussions allows for contestants to gain insight from another person’s perspective and strengthen their own beliefs and answers. If there is ever a time a judge asks a question that a contestant doesn’t know the answer too, that’s okay. The contestant should tell the judge what they do know and move on. Also, always breathe, relax, and smile -- have fun!

Do you have any tips and tricks to get the perfect rodeo queen look for makeup? What are some of your favorite products to use?
​I wouldn’t say there is a perfect rodeo queen look. Everybody is made differently and is beautiful in their own way. It is best to accent natural features and have a bold, natural look. Stage and arena makeup will differ from interview makeup. I love full coverage foundation. I am a bargain shopper, but I don’t bargain shop for foundation. My favorite foundation of all time is Glo Skin Beauty’s Satin Cream Foundation formerly known as Glo Minerals Protective Liquid Foundation in Satin II. I apply my foundation with a damp makeup blending sponge for the best, smoothest coverage. Virtually all the other products I use are drug store products -- I love shopping Walmart for makeup! I highly recommend a good foundation primer as the first step and a good setting spray (NYX makes a good one) as the final step. My favorite setting powder to set cream highlight is Ben Nye Banana Powder, and my favorite finishing powder, which I apply as the second-to-last step, is Maybelline Shine Free Oil-Control Loose Powder in Light. Eye makeup, contour and blush are all dependent on the person and their skin tone, but just remember to accent natural features, start with a good base, and you can’t go wrong.

I had the privilege to meet Marjorie Murphy many years ago when she came to judge the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant for my mom and I know that anyone who met her knows how wonderful she was and knowing you got to work closely with her yourself, I'm sure you learned a lot. What is one piece of advice Marjorie gave you that you would pass on to other rodeo queen contestants who didn't have the privilege of meeting her?
Marjorie was full of wisdom. There is no doubt about that. The one piece of advice from Marjorie that will always stick with me is that it’s always better to overdress than under dress. First impressions are everlasting and the way a person looks when they walk into a room speaks volumes. I know I want my first impression to be a good one, and being dressed the part will sure help do that. Whether in a rodeo queen contest, at a rodeo, a community event, or a professional setting outside of rodeo, rodeo queens should always stand out -- in a good way. By overdressing, I don’t mean spend the most money on a wardrobe. I mean to pay attention to details and make sure every part of your physical appearance looks the best it possibly can. My favorite saying of her’s is, “Our cowgirls are ladies and ladies are cowgirls.” I feel like this is the perfect way to explain a rodeo queen in less than ten words. The scoring of a rodeo queen contest correlates with the actual job of a rodeo queen. There is a reason why there is an appearance category. We should take pride in being the best dressed cowgirls out there!

I think it is so incredible that after your year you give back to a lot of future contestants and now that you have been selected as the NLBRA Royalty Coordinator, what do you plan to do with that position?
It’s quite a privilege to be involved with rodeo queen contests and clinics across the country. I’m excited and to serve as the National Little Britches Rodeo Association Royalty Pageant Coordinator for this year! I’m working with the NLBRA board to create the best pageant the NLBRA has had to date! A lot of work is done behind the scenes. We’ve had several conference calls planning and preparing for this year’s pageant; I know we’ll have many more before July 7th! We’re working on recruitment, growing the contest and providing an opportunity for learning and growth for all contestants.

What is one piece of advice you would give to girls who are just starting out in the rodeo queen world?
If something is placed on your heart and in your mind it's there for a reason. My advice to every one is with faith and hard work anything is possible! Everything worth having is worth working for. Set goals by starting at the top and create a plan from the top to where you currently are, and work your way up to your goal. Surround yourself with the believers, the doers and the thinkers and with people who have expertise in not only rodeo queening, but in the equine industry and rodeo. Even though we plan to achieve our goals, we will face setbacks. Know that for every setback, God has a major comeback. Problems are not stop signs; they are guidelines. Listen to God and trust him because “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs‬ ‭16:9‬

Lisa did an exceptional job of being Miss Rodeo America last year and was a favorite of many. She remained true to herself and humble her entire year and that's what I love most about her. Now that she is done queening she is now giving back to the industry and I can't wait to see what she does at the NLBRA Royalty Coordinator this year! Thank you Lisa for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with us!

Until next time,
Shannon Norris
Director
​Miss ORA Pageant

Photos Courtesy of: Lisa Lageschaar