Miss Rodeo Cleveland Livestock Show contestants announced

Eight young ladies, representing the communities of Cleveland, Dayton, Hardin and Tarkington, are vying for the title of this year’s Miss Rodeo Cleveland Livestock Show. The winner will be announced during livestock and rodeo festivities during the fourth week of April 2020.

The contestants are Reagan Boswell, 17, of Dayton; Marlee Brooks, 15, of Cleveland; Olivia Cates, 14, of Tarkington; Pennie Heflin, 14, of Tarkington; Samantha Hightower, 18, of Tarkington; Suzanne Lowe, 16, of Hardin; Amy Scarborough, 17, of Tarkington, and Grace Williams, 16, of Tarkington.

MEET THE QUEEN CONTESTANTS

REAGAN BOSWELL

Boswell is the daughter of Jennifer and Richard Boswell of Dayton. She is a home-school student is still debating her options for college. Boswell says she has been competing in rodeo queen contests for a couple of years and is looking forward to this year’s event.

“I’ve been coming to Dairy Day since I was a kid and I always looked up to the rodeo queens and how beautiful they are. I wanted to be one when I grew up,” she said.

If she is given that opportunity, Boswell said she would be excited as it would be a dream come true.

“I would try to do my best to represent Cleveland very well,” she said.

Boswell is a three-time champion in animal showing and loves tacos.

MARLEE BROOKS

Brooks is the daughter of Amanda and Bryan Brooks of Cleveland. She attends Cleveland High School and plans to attend Sam Houston State University after high school graduation.

She says she entered the queen contest in order to inform people about the rodeo, livestock show and agriculture in general.

“If I won, I would be able to inform more because I’d know more,” she said.

Brooks says she has been participating in rodeos since the age of 5 and has been involved in 4-H and FFA for as long as she can remember.

OLIVIA CATES

Cates is the daughter of Beverly and Matt Cate of Tarkington and attends Tarkington Middle School. After completing high school, she plans to attend Sul Ross State University.

She entered the queen competition because she was interested in trying something new.

“It seems like a lot of fun to do – experiencing new things,” she said, adding “I’d feel extremely honored” to be crowned.

Cates’ hobbies include playing the piano and photography.

PENNIE HEFLIN

Heflin is the daughter of Angel and Robert Heflin Jr. of Tarkington. She attends Tarkington Middle School and plans to attend Sul Ross State University.

When asked why she entered the queen contest, Heflin said, “I did it because I thought it would be a fun experience – bonding between me and my horse – and just meeting new people.”

If crowned queen, she said she would excited to be doing something new.

Heflin was a competitive dancer for nine years. When she is at home, she spends time breaking her horse.

SAMANTHA HIGHTOWER

Hightower is the daughter of Kandy Gore and Andy Hightower of Tarkington. She attends Tarkington High School and plans to attend Lone Star College after high school graduation.

Her motivation for entering the queen contest was for the experience and the opportunity earn college scholarships.

“If I were crowned queen, I would come back and represent the Cleveland Livestock Show,” she said.

Hightower is familiar with rodeo and livestock events. She showed pigs when she was young. These days, her hobbies include tooling leather.

SUZANNE LOWE

Lowe is the daughter of Kathy Key and Kevin Lowe of Hardin. She attends Hardin High School and plans to attend Tarleton State University in the future.

When asked why she entered the queen contest, Lowe said, “I entered because I love rodeoing and just watching and being part of it. I want to be a good example to the younger generation and encourage more people to come to Dairy Day.”

In her free time, Lowe enjoys making quilts. This is her first year to participate in rodeo events.

AMY SCARBOROUGH

Scarborough is the daughter of Cheyenne and Donny Scarborough of Tarkington. A Tarkington High School student currently, she plans to attend Lone Star College and then Texas Tech in the future.

She entered the queen contest because she thought it would be a good experience and fun.

“I enjoy hanging around people and experiencing new things,” Scarborough said.

According to Scarborough, two interesting facts about her are that she enjoys helping kids and has aspirations to be in the medical field.

“I spend most of my free time helping kids with their show animals. I am part of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) at school because I want to go into the medical field and be an oncology nurse,” she said.

GRACE WILLIAMS

Williams is the daughter of Christian and Justin Van and Chris and Lisa Williams. She lives in Tarkington and attends Emerson and Yeager Homeschool Academy. She plans to attend Baylor University after graduation.

Williams was previously a rodeo queen for the Trinity Valley Exposition.

“I’ve been showing at Cleveland Livestock and Rodeo for years now and I was the 2018 TVE Queen. I had so much fun doing it,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be the Cleveland queen. It would just be such an honor. I’d enjoy it so much. I came to the rodeo growing up and I’ve been showing here for five years.”