Queen Karlie ready to take on role

TONASKET – The drama of last year’s competition for Tonasket Founders Day Rodeo Queen may have been lacking, but that was OK with Karlie Henneman, who knew as the only contestant this year that she would receive the crown she’d been pursuing since last year.

Henneman was the runner-up for the 2012 crown in a very tight competition with four other girls that Ingle won.

This time around, there was no such tension, but Henneman couldn’t have been happier.

“It was a lot less nerve-wracking, for sure,” she said. “It wasn’t stressful, but there was a lot of excitement knowing I was the only one.

“It didn’t really hit me until I was up there speaking, though. You saw it, it was like, ‘Holy cow!’ Cortney had told me when that when you get the crown it really hits you, and it did.”

Without the other candidates there was no morning competition at the arena, but Henneman still gave her introductory speech as well as answering an impromptu question from master of ceremonies Tonasket Comancheros President Mike Stansbury.

“When I joined my 4-H group about six years ago, that was when my riding really took off,” she said during her speech. “I started competing in 4-H shows and rodeos throughout the spring and summer. “Becoming a rodeo queen has been a queen of mine since I was little. Having the opportunity to become the Tonasket Rodeo Queen gives me to represent and become a role model for my home town. I’m so thankful to have this wonderful opportunity to be the 2013 Tonasket Founders Day Rodeo Queen.”

The Comancheros will provide Miss Tonasket Rodeo a queen buckle, breast collar, parade flowers, a dozen roses, a traveling serape, a $400 mileage allowance, an $800 clothing allowance and a $500 scholarship.

Ingle tried to put her experience as the 2012 queen into words.

“I don’t think I could put enough words down on paper to describe how the year went,” she said, but added that the best part of the experience was how people worked together when things weren’t going well.

“There’s a lot of people that you don’t think would support you because you don’t know them very well,” she said. “But on your worst day they call come together. On your worst day they can make it better…. I just want to thank everybody. Everyone in this room may not be very close, but you obviously all support rodeo, and we’re all in it together.”

Stansbury also presented the Comancheros’ awards for the year, including Volunteer of the Year to Jean Ramsey; Club Member of the Year to Bud McSpadden; Organization of the Year to the Tonasket Eagles Club; Business of the Year to Midway Building Supply and Rentals; and a special award to Ray Colbert for his many years of faithful service.

Henneman said she was looking forward to the upcoming year’s travel and adventures even as she finishes up her senior year at Tonasket High School.

“It’s going to be a lot of work,” she said. “But I’ve got my parents to get me through, and friends that are very supportive. It’ll be very challenging, but I’m ready for it.”

Henneman added that Ingle and 2011 queen Jerian Ashley helped her prepare for what’s in store.

“They both said it’s stressful at times, but it’s all worth it. They said it’s an amazing experience.

“I only ever wanted to represent Tonasket. It’s my home town. Tonasket raised me, and I’ve never wanted to be anything else.”

Brent Baker/staff photo Tonasket Comancheros master of ceremonies Mike Stansbury asks 2013 Tonasket Founders Day Rodeo Queen Karlie Henneman an impromptu question Saturday, Oct. 13.

Brent Baker/staff photo Karlie Henneman is escorted by her father Mike prior to being crowned 2013 Tonasket Founders Day Rodeo Queen on Saturday, Oct. 13.