Local gal educates about rodeos, animals and following dreams

By jennifer priest-mitchell

The Beaverton Valley Times, Oct 5, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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(Jennifer Priest Mitchell is a freelance writer in Beaverton. She can be reached at jnjmitchell@yahoo.com.)

A lot of little girls watch beauty pageants on television and dream of one day being a contestant. Most of those pageants have a Hollywood feel to them, and are all glamour. While Trena Loftesness is just as pretty and graceful as any other beauty pageant contestant, this hometown gal has a heart of gold, and her crowning as a pageant winner included a little mud and hay on her boots when she won last year.

As Miss Rodeo Oregon, Loftesness is the proud ambassador to many children and civic associations, educating them about agriculture, horses and farm life, while also sharing the fact that a lot of commitment and hard work went into achieving her current title.

Each year, Miss Rodeo Oregon is chosen during July for the following year.

“I was crowned at the St. Paul Rodeo in July of 2005 for the 2006 term,” Loftesness explained. “It is a four-day competition, with judges from out of state. The categories for contestants include appearance, knowledge, personality and horsemanship. Oh, and horsemanship was my favorite because I grew up on horses.”

Growing up in Sherwood, Loftesness was able to enjoy the country life and ride horses while balancing that adventurous part of her life with solid schools, a strong community, and all of the culture and dynamics that the greater Portland area has to offer.

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