Eyes on the prize for DeKalb rodeo queen

By Heather Russell
Staff Reporter

DeKalb’s Colleen Crumpton has been rodeoing nearly as long as she can remember, and this year she has her eyes on the prize.  Colleen has held fourteen rodeo queen titles in as many years - from Little Miss New Boston Rodeo to Teen Miss UPRA in 2013, to her current title of Miss Naples Rodeo, just to name a few.  On November 16 she will travel to Sulphur Springs, Texas to compete for the title of Miss UPRA (United Professional Rodeo Association), the third largest rodeo association in the world.

Colleen is the the daughter of Stephen and Kim Crumpton, and a 2016 graduate of DeKalb High School.  She currently attends Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant, Texas on a rodeo scholarship and plans to become a teacher.  She says holding the title of Teen Miss UPRA afforded her many opportunities, and holding the title of queen would only do more of the same.  “Miss Teen UPRA opened a lot of doors for me,” said Colleen. “It allowed me to travel, and experience several ‘firsts.’  To go back as their queen will allow me to do so much more, and I will be able to promote this rodeo association.  That will mean a lot to me, because UPRA has really done so much for me.”

During the three day competition, Colleen will be judged on horsemanship, as well as two media interviews.  “Once we step onto the rodeo grounds, we will be under the eyes of the judges until crowning on Saturday night,” she says.  Colleen is also selling ads for the rodeo program, rodeo tickets, and $1 raffle tickets for a chance to win $1,000.  Proceeds from all sales go to UPRA, which is also a scholarship rodeo.  Miss UPRA 2017 will take home a $2,000 scholarship, and represent the association in rodeos in the Four States Area, as well as Colorado, New Mexico, and Kansas.
Besides competing in the rodeo, Colleen will also be hosting a group from Lakes Regional MHMR, as she has done every year for the past five years.  Lakes Regional serves fifteen counties in Northeast Texas with mental health, intellectual, and developmental disabilities and recovery services.  Sponsorship opportunities for this group are still available.

Being crowned Miss UPRA will not be the end of the road for Colleen, she says.  “If I win Miss UPRA, my plan is to run for Miss Rodeo Texas,” Colleen said.  And with the collection of titles and buckles under Colleen Crumpton’s belt, it is safe to say both Miss UPRA and Miss Rodeo Texas are well within the reach of this DeKalb girl.

To purchase ads, rodeo tickets, raffle tickets, or for Lakes Regional MHMR sponsorship opportunities, call Colleen Crumpton at (903)293-2776 or Kim Crumpton at (903)701-1249.