* Miss Rodeo Montana 2006 *

* Speech, Horsemanship, Projection & Presentation *

Cassidy Han from Inverness, is the 21 year old daughter of Allen and Barbara Han. Cassidy is a 2002 graduate of Blue Sky High School where she was a basketball MVP, Volleyball MVP, and high point thrower in track and field.  She also excelled in choir and was the superior vocal solo at State Music Festival. In 2002 she held the title of Miss Northern Montana Rodeo. She is currently attending Carroll College, and will graduate in May 2006 with a degree in history.  She plans to attend graduate school to get her Ph.D. in American West History, to eventually become a history professor and a published historical author.

* 2nd Runner Up *

* Congeniality, Photogenics *

Lesli Furniss from Frenchtown, is the 19 year old daughter of Jerry Furniss and Kelly Maier. Lesli graduated with honors from Frenchtown High School in 2004 and was active in student body government and was a basketball MVP in 2002. She is a 2004 Licensed Guide with the Montana Board of Outfitters and holds hunter’s and bow hunter’s safety certificates and is first aid certified. She has completed one year of studies at Montana State University and will be transferring to the University of Montana in the spring to pursue her studies in pre-ed. Her goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon specializing in rodeo athletes as well as doing knee, hip and shoulder replacements. She would also like to have an outfitting business.

* 1st Runner Up *

* Style Show, Personality, Appearance *

Megan Hardy from Wolf Point, is the 21 year old daughter of Mark and Rita Hardy. Megan was active with High School Rodeo, qualifying four times for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Cutting, and was involved with 4-H for eight years. She held the title of 2004 Miss Rodeo North Dakota State Fair, and has received scholarships for drama, dance, and rodeo. Currently Megan is an Elementary Education Major at Montana State University-Bozeman, and plans to teach in a rural Montana elementary school.

Callie Freeman from Clinton, is the 23 year old daughter of Jeff and Maria Freeman. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Montana Western with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Communication. Callie received the 2004 Rodeo Project of the Year award for directing the Miss Dillon Jaycee Pageant as well as the 2005 Regional Presidential Citation for Distinguished leadership and service to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. Callie was 2001 Miss Rodeo Western Montana and 2002 Miss Dillon Jaycee Rodeo Queen. She holds a certificate of completion for Montana Real Estate Salesperson national & state exams. She plans to work for an established real estate firm in Montana as an agent specializing in ranch and resort properties, with a goal of one day owning her own firm.

Why I want to be Miss Rodeo Montana
This is the opportunity I’ve been looking for, a position of leadership where my rural background, giving spirit, and concern for community can be put to use. Having been involved with rodeo and Miss Rodeo Pageants in Montana for seven years as a fan, contestant, judge and director, I have the experience, and enthusiasm to be Miss Rodeo Montana 2006.

* Sportsmanship *

Michaela LeVeque from Cascade, is the 23 year old daughter of Dale and Lillian Leveque. Michaela was active with 4-H and FFA at the local and state level, and held the title of 2004 Miss Rodeo State Fair. She has an Associates of Science degree in Agro-ecology as well as a Bachelors of Science degree in Agriculture Education Broadfield from Montana State University-Bozeman. Michaels plans to pursue her Master’s Degree in plant science, and would like to pass on her knowledge of Montana Agriculture to the youth of Montana through the FFA and 4-H programs.