Silver State International Rodeo queen Keiko Osumi is the epitome of perseverance.

Two years ago, Osumi represented California in the queen contest and finished fourth.

Osumi, though, may have been defeated but not discouraged.

The Arroyo Grande resident returned to the SSIR in 2006 to represent California again in the queen contest, and she soon discovered the year's wait and patience paid off royally.

She overwhelmingly captured the SSIR queen title by winning or co-winning in the written test, personal interview, personality, two-minute speech and modeling.

Tonight, though, will end the 17-year-old honor student's reign as the SSIR queen when a successor is crowned at 6 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

Osumi will leave Fallon Saturday having been a contestant for three years.

"I know my way around town, at least," Osumi said with a big smile when reflecting on her tenure as queen.

For the past 11 months, Osumi was busy promoting one of the largest international high school rodeos in the country.

"I went to the National High School Rodeo Finals to represent the SSIR," she said. "I didn't compete, but I used the opportunity to publicize the SSIR."

And that appearance was less than a month after Osumi received her tiara in Fallon.

Julene Hitchcock, the SSIR's queen contestant coordinator, said she worked closely with Osumi during the year.

"If Keiko need anything, she either called us or we made contact with her," Hitchcock said.

During the year, Osumi said she sponsored a "practice queen contest" to give hopefuls in California an idea of what they need to accomplish to become a queen of a major rodeo. Osumi also attended various rodeos in her home state.

With California being a large state, Osumi spent many days on the road promoting her sport and the SSIR. Osumi said she was well received wherever she went.

"The people in California are very receptive, and the SSIR is popular," she said.

One of Osumi's goals was to increase her state's participation in the SSIR. Although California doesn't have a full team, she said the participation improved.

"It seems hard to get kids here," she said, while citing finances as a major problem for keeping many contestants home.

Osumi said she's pleased to see other states coming to Fallon with full teams.

As an ambassador for rodeo, Osumi said she promoted the positive aspects of the sport.

"I was able to educate the public about rodeo," she said. "I told them how the stock is taken care of and how performers take care of their horses."

Osumi credits her parents for helping her become the SSIR queen. After Osumi leaves Fallon, she will attend a county fair in Santa Maria, Calif., beginning Sunday.

A recent high school graduate, Osumi will stay close to home and attend Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. After that, Osumi said she would like to attend law school with an emphasis in agriculture and politics.

Judging by her past two years of perseverance, Osumi said she has a strong desire to accomplish her goals and give something back to her community.



2007 queen contestants

A successor to Osumi will be crowned tonight. Ten contestants are vying for the 2007-2008 crown.

• Alberta - Kate Fullerton, 17, is the daughter of Charlie and Shawn Fullerton. She attends Lundbreck High School. Her hobbies are ranching, rodeo and showing cattle. Her rodeo events are barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway and team roping.

• Arizona - Adell Madson, 17, is the daughter of Mark and Gina Madson. She will be a senior at Chander's Hamilton High School. Madson is also the student body president for next year and is a member of the honor society and student council. Her hobbies are swimming and rodeo. Events include breakaway roping, team roping, barrel racing and pole bending.

• California - Taylor deRegt, 16, the daughter of Tom and Judy deRegt, attends Stevenson High School as a junior. She enjoys spending time with her horse, wakeboarding, snowboarding and going to the lake or beach. DeRegt's rodeo events are cutting, barrel racing and pole bending.

• Idaho Ð Measha Gittins, 16, is the daughter of Claude and Vicki Gittins. She attends West Side High School. Gittins has played the piano in her school's fine arts competition, and she also competes in basketball and rodeo queen contests. Her events include cutting and pole bending.

• Montana - Mariah Rys-Skiora, 16, is the daughter of Adam and Anne Rys-Skiora. She attends Loyola Sacred Heart High School where she is an honors student. Her hobbies are riding horses, listening to music and reading. Rodeo events are barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying and breakaway roping.

• Nevada - Karysa Perez, 15, is the daughter of Mike and Kelly Perez. She attends Silver State High School where she is an honors student. Her hobbies include reading, swimming and running. Rodeo events are barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, cutting and breakaway roping.

• New Mexico - Ashley TenBrink, 15, is the daughter of Mark and Geraldine TenBrink. She is a student at Abeka Christian Academy. Her hobbies are competing in rodeos, riding horses, caring for her pets, reading and playing the guitar. Rodeo events are breakaway roping, goat tying, barrel racing, pole bending and entering queen contests.

• Oregon - Amy Pearce, 17, is the daughter of Herb and Kimberly Pearce. She attends Crook County High School in Prineville. Her hobbies include attending rodeos, skiing and participating in the Future Farmers of America. Rodeo events are pole bending, barrel racing and goat tying.

• Utah - Martina Wardle, 17, is the daughter of Mitch and Deanna Wardle and attends Levi High School. She has received a presidential award in science and belongs to the National Honor Society. Her hobbies include skeet shooting, camping and being with friends. Her rodeo events are barrel racing, goat tying and breakaway roping.

• Washington - Kacilyn Davis, 17, is the daughter of Alison Davis and attends Hermiston High School. She is an active member in FFA and also plays basketball and volleyball. Rodeo events are barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway and team roping and queen contests.