05/31/2023
It’s crazy to believe that my year as Miss VHSRA 2022-23 has come to an end. The last year has been full of ups and downs and I’ve learned so much about both myself and what it takes to have a role as a leader. I want to thank the Virginia Highschool Rodeo Association for allowing me to represent them and for helping and supporting me every step of the way.
I also want to thank my parents, Zach and Amanda Stern for going above and beyond not just the last year but since I was a little kid. I’m sure when they took me to my first lesson they weren’t expecting to be spending every other weekend at a rodeo 12 years down the road.🤣 My mom is strong, kind, determined, and she finds happiness in seeing the ones she loves happy. She has always pushed me to be the very best I can possibly be and stepped into the role of a Queen mom without hesitation. She has seen me at 2am stressed about my next project or appearance as Queen, listened to me cry, and helped me with all my last minute rushes from Nationals to State finals. I had a a few outfit problems at Nationals and my mom was up until 3am sewing my outfit together so I could sleep before my competition the next day. I’m convinced my mom is actually super woman.
My Dad has helped carry flags, run errands, and always had a fresh cup of coffee ready to go for me in the mornings. He went along to every rodeo and was there for every run and every grand entry. Most rodeos we had to be the first ones there and the last ones to leave which meant he would help set up and tear down the arena on top of working the rodeo on his weekend off and never once did he complain. And for those who don’t know my dad didn’t grow up a horse person. He has learned everything he knows because me and my little siblings ride. He never had to, he chose to. And you’ll see him holding horses and giving us tips at rodeos because on top of everything he ALSO hauls us to a lot of our practices through out the week.
Thank you, mom and dad for everything you and continue doing. While I’m sad to finish my last year of Highschool Rodeo as a senior and to end my year as Queen, I’m excited to go start the next big adventure.
Michaela Stern
Miss VHSRA 2022-23
