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Laramie Jubilee Days Royalty

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dani Gilgen, 2010 Miss Laramie Jubilee Days
 Howdy folks from Miss Laramie Jubilee Days2010 Dani Gilgen. For most of you that know me, rodeo queen was probably the last thing you thought I’d be. Going from ponytails to big curly hair and hairspray. Not wearing much makeup to big makeup, and blue jeans and a hoodie to the beautiful, sparkly clothes. Something that not even I thought would happen. On May 2, 2009 my thoughts all changed. I went through the toughest, most rewarding competition of my life. Tryouts for lady in waiting taught me a lot about myself I didn’t know.

   From the time I was on my first horse at a month old I was hooked. From that point forward I couldn’t live without them in my life. You could always find me warming up the ropers horses at the local team roping's, or out in the pasture brushing and loving on the horses. During the summers I participated in the many horse shows and barrel races that were put on. From age 6 I have had the honor of carrying the American flag for Shirley Lilly in her horse show. I have also volunteered for the honor of running the sponsor flags during the Jubilee Days rodeos for many years.

   I attended school in Laramie until my junior year. I transferred to Rock River School for my senior year where I graduated on the Principals Honor Roll in 2006. I would like to pursue a career in law enforcement as a sheriff’s deputy. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family. Being outdoors with the dogs, horses or hunting is just a few things we love doing together.

   As a young girl my dream was to be a rodeo queen. Watching these lovely rodeo ambassadors carry themselves, pushed me to try out. I hope that during my rein I can inspire the younger generations of cowgirls to do the same. We will be holding a clinic in late January or early February for any girls age 11 to 15 interested in trying out for princess, and girl’s age 18 to 22 wanting to try out for lady in waiting. These tryouts will be held in early March. Dates for both events are still pending, but we will keep everyone posted.

   I would like to invite everyone out to enjoy all the festivities during this year's Laramie Jubilee Days. There are lots of traditional activities such as the Parade and the PRCA Rodeos as well as some new ones like the Ribeye Rodeo and the Cowboy Poet. I hope you all enjoy this year's Jubilee Days!

Royalty History
The Laramie Jubilee Days celebration of Laramie, Wyoming had its beginning in 1940.  It was initiated to commemorate the Golden Anniversary of Wyoming Statehood on July 10.  The first ‘Equality Days’ included a fiddlers’ contest, chariot races and a giant parade.  The next year the event turned into a three-day celebration and became known as Laramie Jubilee Days.

Through the years, the number of days of the festivities has varied, as have the scheduled events, ranging from horse racing and horse shows to steer roping and rodeo.  One thing that has remained the same for 69 years is the representation and goodwill the Royalty has provided to Laramie Jubilee Days. The Royalty represent LJD throughout the area and fulfill the duties of goodwill ambassadors in their own unique style.

As the LJD celebration has changed and evolved over the years, so has the method of selecting the royalty.  In the beginning, the two representatives were chosen by ballots that sold for 25 cents each. Today, a panel of judges evaluates the contestants on excellence of performance in horsemanship, personality and appearance. The crown in the early years was a traveling crown. Today, each queen is given her own to keep.
 

 

Golden Years of Royalty Update!
Volume 3
We are working to publish the third volume of the history of Laramie Jubilee Days Royalty. This version will cover years 2001-2010. If you served as LJD royalty during this time, please download the form below and return it with a photo of you during your reign.
Upcoming Events
July 10: Queens Luncheon
 

Holly Kennedy, 2010 Laramie Jubilee Days Lady-in-Waiting
  Holly is the 22-year-old daughter of Kelly and Alexa Kennedy. She graduated from Laramie High School and is currently attending the University of Wyoming majoring in Ag Business with a minor in Ag Communications. She was on the high school honor roll for 4 years and made the Freshman Honor Roll at UW. She is active in Wyoming Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers and the Block and Bridle club. In addition, Holly participates in PCHA, NASMA, IMDA and AMA.

Holly enjoys showing horses and mules at local, state and national shows as well as barrel racing. She is starting a new barrel horse and also spends time hunting, fishing and snowboarding. Holly was runner up for Wyoming High School Rodeo Queen and was a princess for PCHA.

Holly said, “Coming from a Ag production background, I realize the importance of opportunities such as being a LJD Queen. LJD’s Royalty have many opportunities to be spokeswomen for not only the sport of rodeo but also for the Ag industry. I want to be LJD Queen to represent our local community, our great state of Wyoming, production agriculture and the sport of rodeo.”

Pamela Marie Gandy, 2010 Laramie Jubilee Days Princess
   Pamela is the 12-year-old daughter of Terry and Lisa Gandy of Laramie. She is currently in 7th grade at Laramie Junior High School where she holds a 4.0 grade point average and is the recipient of the President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Pamela plays the clarinet in the school band and also plays volleyball.

Currently, Pamela is the Vice President for the Critter Creek Wranglers 4-H Club and is an alumnus of the Junior National Young Leaders. She participates in show jumping and dressage events, barrel racing, horse judging and competes in area shows including County and State Fair. Pamela plans to become a veterinarian with a practice that includes an equine recovery center.

Pamela wanted to be a LJD Princess because, “My family has been involved in Laramie Jubilee Days since we arrived in Laramie. I love rodeo and the western lifestyle and traditions.”

Tabitha Jenae Madden, 2010 Laramie Jubilee Days Princess
  Tabitha is the 12-year-old daughter of Tanya and Doug Madden of Laramie. She is a 6th grader at Spring Creek Elementary School. She received the Presidential physical fitness award and has participated in Jump Rope for Heart.

Tabitha is a member of the Windy Valley 4-H Club. She enjoys gymnastics, arts and crafts, and working with her horses, sheep and goats. Tabitha participates in the County Fair horse show and gymkhana, the AQHA horseback riding program and the LJD kids horse show, riding both English and Western and competing in speed events. She would like to be either a veterinarian or a flight attendant after pursuing rodeo royalty such as Miss Laramie Jubilee Days, Miss Rodeo USA and Miss Rodeo Wyoming.

Tabitha wanted to be a LJD Princess “so I can answer questions about rodeo and events to the public.”

Queen Clinic Held for contestants
February 8, 2009
The LJD Royalty Committee held clinic to help potential contestants prepare for the upcoming contest.
New Queen Crowned
 
December 31, 2008
Ashlee Estel was crowned Miss Laramie Jubilee Days at the Queen Coronation.
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