Miss California Rodeo Salinas is a year-round ambassador for the California Rodeo Salinas who travels to rodeos, parades, and other community events to promote the largest rodeo in California. The competition consists of personality and appearance, scholarship, and scholastic contests. Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2021 Emily Cullins will pass the title along to one of the following contestants: Mayson Bothwell, Miss La Grange Rodeo Princess, Rose Escobar, Miss Salinas Valley Wine Country Pro Rodeo, Macee Nunes, Miss West Hills College Rodeo, or Chelsea Rogell, Miss California Gymkhana Association District 14.
The 2022 contest, presented by Holiday Inn Express & Suites, begins on Thursday, July 7th and concludes on Saturday, July 9th; the winner will be announced before noon at the awards ceremony on the Mike Storm Director’s Patio at the Salinas Sports Complex. The winner will receive a $3000 cash scholarship to be used at the college of her choice, a gold and silver trophy belt buckle and tiara, the use of a two-horse trailer for one year and many other gifts. “We look forward to meeting each contestant. The unique and individual character of each contestant plays a part in the long-written history of the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest,” said Laurie LaVelle, Director of the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Committee.
A schedule and other contest details along with contestant photos can be found at: https://www.carodeo.com/p/about-us/mcrs/2022-miss-california-rodeo-salinas-contest. Biographies for each contestant are below.
Mayson Bothwell – Miss La Grange Rodeo Princess
From a fifth generation California family, Mayson Bothwell hails originally from Livermore but now lives near King City. This current student at Cuesta College is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business with the goal of becoming a Cattle Brand Inspector. Previously a member of the Future Farmers of America, she plans to continue being an advocate for the agricultural industry and to strive for the knowledge and understanding of what it will take to keep the industry strong.
Mayson stays busy preparing her horses for competitions in ranch riding and ranch trail with hopes to compete in reined cowhorse this year. She has competed in High School and Norcal Jr. Rodeo with many successes in the barrel racing event. In her spare time, Mayson enjoys the beautiful beaches of California, home projects, leather making and testing her green thumb in the garden.
Familiar with the responsibilities of a rodeo ambassador, Mayson is dedicated to educating the next generation of young cowboys and cowgirls. Grateful for her previous queen opportunities, she now looks forward to the new memories she will make while competing for the coveted titled of Miss California Rodeo Salinas.
Rose Escobar – Miss Salinas Valley Wine Country Pro Rodeo
Born and raised in the Salinas Valley, Rose Escobar has a passion for helping others in her community.As a Client Associate for a national investment manager, she plans on furthering her career by studying for certification as a Registered Client Associate. She also wants to help equine athletes feel and perform their best by receiving certification as an Acuscope Practitioner.
With a love for the western way of life Rose has competed in barrel races and ranch rodeos for the last 10 years. Being a member of the West Coast Barrel Racing Association, she has qualified and competed in the finals several times with many accomplishments. In her free time, Rose volunteers at the Salinas Valley Fair and King City Stampede Board; she is proud to give back to the committees that do so much for the community.
While holding the queen title for the newest rodeo in the PRCA California Circuit, Rose has traveled the state representing the rodeo. Her love for the western way of life and her childhood dreams of holding the title of Miss California Rodeo Salinas give her the drive to compete in this contest.
Macee Nunes – Miss West Hills College Rodeo
Macee Nunes of Prather is a proud fourth generation Californian continuing a long family history in horses and in ranching traditions. With goals of becoming a large animal veterinarian, Macee is currently a student at West Hills College. Her future academic plans include studying at a four-year university for pre-veterinary medicine and then attending veterinary school.
With many animals under her care, Macee is involved in the training, exercise and competition of her family’s bucking bulls at PBR events. She also spends lots of time riding and practicing with her horses. Having qualified and competed at many top barrel racing events and championships across the nation, she now competes on the West Hills College Rodeo Team for the NIRA West Coast Region. An all-around animal lover, she fosters dogs for local animal shelters and recently adopted a dog named Charlie.
Macee wants to use her knowledge of rodeo and her western heritage to help promote the sport of rodeo.She recognizes the prestige and tradition that is synonymous to the Salinas Rodeo and is excited for the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss California Rodeo.
Chelsea Rogell - Miss California Gymkhana Association District 14
Just like her new favorite painting inspiration, Chelsea Rogell of Creston is spreading her wings to fly like a butterfly.She has chosen to further her studies in Agriculture Business at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in addition to minoring in Art and Design.
Chelsea has found happiness and inclusivity while competing in rodeo events throughout her life. She credits this gained confidence to the many rodeo organizations she was a part of throughout her youth including WCJRA, NBHA, CHSRA and more.She has achieved many awards for competition from these associations as well as academic honors. In high school she joined Future Farmers of America taking on public speaking contests and showing animals.In addition, she took on leadership roles, including chapter president and regional officer, where she helped students find confidence within themselves.
Rodeo has shown Chelsea a way to give back to her local communities as an ambassador spreading awareness about the rodeo industry. Annually she partakes in a local agricultural day where she teaches students to rope. Chelsea enters our contest with the hopes of becoming the official ambassador of the California Rodeo as Miss California Rodeo.
About California Rodeo Salinas
The California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 21st-24th, 2022. The California Rodeo Association is a not-for-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California Rodeo Salinas and other year-round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex. Through donation of our facility, vending and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association returns over $500,000 annually to local non-profits. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775.3100. ‘Like’ the California Rodeo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas or follow us on twitter @CaliforniaRodeo for updates, photos and more.