RODEO QUEEN CORONATION

RODEO QUEEN. During their coronation banquet on Sunday, Jan. 15, Merlee Liberty was honored by the Ritzville Rodeo Association and crowned as the 2017 Ritzville Rodeo Queen, by former Ritzville Rodeo Queen Peyton Curtis. The Ritzville Rodeo Youth Drill Team also received recognition from the association as Drill Team Instructor Michelle Hennings presented them with flowers and certificates during the ceremony. The banquet also included a silent auction filled with items donated from local businesses in which the proceeds went to Liberty and her family to help fund the expenses of being a Rodeo Queen. -Journal photo by Haley Roybal