Vegas rodeo pageant nets big rewards for Jessica

Miss Rodeo Washington Jessica Crouch attended the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vega. (Steven Lane/The Columbian)

Bob Bureker

At last year’s Miss Rodeo America Pageant, Jessica Crouch observed from the sidelines as a lady-in-waiting. That was rewarding, but actually competing this year as Miss Rodeo Washington was “better, hands down.”

Crouch, a 22-year-old from Salmon Creek, recently returned from Las Vegas, where she spent a busy week doing personal and media interviews, horsemanship trials and photo shoots in hopes of being crowned Miss Rodeo America. Although she didn’t leave with the title, the pageant was “a great experience. It was so much fun.”

One highlight was participating in a sports-themed fashion show complete with pyrotechnics and choreographed dancing, Crouch said.

She also enjoyed catching up with the other 26 contestants, the majority of whom she’d met previously at various rodeo events.

“It really is like a family,” she said.

Crouch finishes her Miss Rodeo Washington duties at the end of the year. She’s not sure what the future holds, but she’d like to pursue special event planning in the equine industry.

Vancouver residents Melanie Kenoyer and Den Mark Wichar thought it would be fitting to dedicate a Taize service at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church to Bob Bureker. Bureker and his wife, Hanni, first organized the meditative and ecumenical services at the church in 2001. Bureker, 76, died in October after an 18-year battle with cancer.

Kenoyer and Wichar have taken over organization of the Taize service, which occurs at 6 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month. No minister leads the service. Instead, congregants rise from the pews to offer readings. The Jan. 17 service will center on the theme of “memories” in honor of Bureker.

“He was a very intelligent and sensitive guy,” Wichar said. “The service has reflected that.”

Kenoyer added, “This service was his true love in the church. We will miss him.”

Bits ’n’ Pieces appears Mondays and Fridays. If you have a story you’d like to share, call Features Editor Elisa Williams, 360-735-4561, or e-mail elisa.williams@columbian.com.