Although originally raised on a farm near Rimbey, one of two Miss Rodeo Sundre contestants feels a kindred connection with this community and hopes to become a spokesperson for the local pro rodeo.
“I’ve grown up around agriculture and rodeo my whole life, that’s why I’m so passionate about it,” said Mackenzie Skeels, who was the 2017 Rimbey Rodeo Queen.
Skeels said that her experiences growing up on the Anchor D Ranch Simmentals farm just outside of Rimbey, instilled in her a strong affinity for the small-town atmosphere.
“Rimbey and Sundre have a lot in common,” she said during a phone interview, calling Sundre a warm, welcoming community.
“I feel right at home when I’m in Sundre,” she said.
“We have lots of friends here.”
As a member of the Young Canadian Simmental Association, she sits on both the national board as a director and on the provincial board as vice-president. She said that experience has contributed to building connections with people whom she has helped and mentored in the Sundre area.
Being in the running for the local royalty is an honour and a privilege, she said, especially this year since the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association is preparing for the major milestone 40th annual Sundre Pro Rodeo.
“It would be awesome to be the representative for an entire year, not only for the Sundre Pro Rodeo but for the town as a whole,” she added.
Skeels is currently working on completing her final semester of a two-year media studies and professional communications program at Red Deer College. In the long-run, she said she aspires to become an agricultural industry ambassador who helps educate people about the agricultural process and how food goes from farms to plates.
“There’s a large disconnect between the industry and society,” said Skeels, adding she wants to get people more excited about where their food comes from, while fostering a deeper appreciation for all the behind- the-scenes work involved in the agricultural process.
“There’s a gap between the Western way of life and modern life,” she said, enthusiastic about the prospect of working to branch out and reach a wide spectrum of people, including urban demographics.
She is confident that having an extensive background in farming and ranching as well as communications will facilitate her goal to educate people and bridge that gap.
“It’s important to have young spokespeople to educate people — that’s what I hope to do.”
Skeels, whose bid for the title is sponsored by the Sundre and District Agriculture Society, also praised 4-H, which she has been a part of for 10 years, for providing a positive experience that served to solidify her future goals.
“The 4-H community has done so much for me,” she said, encouraging anyone who has thought about joining not to hesitate.
“You’ll have wonderful life experiences,” she said.
Additionally, one does not need to be involved in agricultural to be involved in 4-H, she said.
“The 4-H motto — Learn to do by doing — is a wonderful motto.”
If crowned Miss Rodeo Sundre, Skeels said she recognizes that the responsibility of the title entails being the face of not just the rodeo and race association but the community as well.
“By being a rodeo queen, you are spokesperson for Western way of life.”
