Tara Rowland - 2010 Woodlake Lions Rodeo Queen

We all learn many things in our lives, and we are all told at least once to “never give up”, but this simple lesson came very handy to me in my journey to earning not just the title of 2010 Miss Woodlake Lions Rodeo, but the opportunity to represent something very dear to my heart. Beyond this title, I am the 19 year old Golden West High School graduate and daughter of Sharon and Jerry Rowland. I am currently attending Reedley College for my General Education and the Animal Science Program. After achieving my goals here in California, I will be transferring to Montana State University to major in Equine Science. Somewhere down the dirt road, I would love to breed and train horses, much like the well respected, John Ward. Along with school, I am working at Masaru’s Japanese Restaurant. If I’m not at school or work, I am riding my horse as much as I possibly can where I am working to train my mare with hopes of showing in the Valley Cow Horse Association. I also enjoy playing the Flute and Piccolo, as I began doing so nine years ago.

During the Poise & Personality portion of our contest this year, each of us were asked why we wanted to be Miss Woodlake Lions Club Rodeo Queen. Beyond the pressure of giving a quick answer, this was the easiest question for me. Living in Tulare County and growing up in the western lifestyle, the Woodlake Rodeo was a family-must. So, throughout my life I have attended this family-oriented rodeo as a spectator, but not this year! It has been said that the arrival at one point is the starting point to another. My journey to Miss Woodlake Lions Club Rodeo Queen has been exactly that. I competed for the title in 2009 and received 1st Princess(Runner-Up), this was no loss for me! It was absolutely a blessing in disguise because now I will have taken part in the Woodlake Lions Club for two years! The road to 2010 Miss WLCRQ has included some rough spots and a few detours, but my arrival here is the starting point to endless possibilities and opportunities. I am so honored to be able to represent the Woodlake Lions Club Rodeo and America’s only home-grown sport. As Miss Woodlake Lions Club Rodeo, it is my top priority to be a positive role model to the younger generations and to all. It is also my objective to provide the knowledge of the sport of rodeo and the western hospitality of Woodlake and it’s Lions Club Rodeo. Ambition, Integrity and Respect are just a few traits that I respect in cowboys and cowgirls and these are just a few traits that I will emulate as Miss Woodlake Lions Club Rodeo Queen 2010.