Volunteers
"It's the Cheyenne thing to do..."
That's how Bill Dubois, a 2004 inductee in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame,
replied when asked why he had been volunteering for more than four decades in a
variety of capacities at the "Daddy of 'em All."
"It's the Cheyenne thing to do" for tens of hundreds of volunteers who provide the
people power to produce what arguably is the largest outdoor western celebration
in the world. For more than a century, chief executive officers of large companies,
bank presidents, school teachers, realtors, homemakers, state and federal employees-
literally folks from every walk of life- have devoted millions of volunteer hours
to plan, organize and execute all the events associated with Cheyenne Frontier Days.
It began as a simple one-day celebration in September of 1897 when a group of volunteers
from the Cheyenne business community thought it would be fun and profitable to stage
a western celebration. Today, more than 2,500 volunteers work around the calendar
to produce an event that borders on two weeks long and includes parades, pancake
breakfasts, world-class concerts, chili and chuckwagon cookoffs, carnival, exhibits,
Indian Village, military open houses and performances by the United States Air Force
Thunderbirds and, of course the event that started it all-nine Professional Rodeo
Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeos.
Volunteers are the fuel that drives the Cheyenne Frontier Days engine. Tasks range
from sorting stock for the nine rodeos plus the slack performances; caring for the
world's largest horse-drawn carriage collection and a remarkable period clothing
collection; mucking horse stalls; directing traffic in all types of weather; manning
gates; the care and feeding of a large media contingent; serving as hosts to the
tens of thousands of spectators who enjoy the variety of events; the care and maintenance
of a 100-acre park with barns, grandstands, exhibit halls, food facilities and arenas
and thousands of other grizzly little details that must be accomplished for the
event to succeed.
You get the picture. Cheyenne Frontier Days is a small community in and of itself
for the better part of the month of July, and, complimented by a full-time staff
of 13, the "community" works because of the volunteers who won't let it be anything
but the best.
Why do they do it?
"It's the Cheyenne thing to do."
Board of Directors
- Charlie West
- John Powell
- Jim Ward
- Bill Benskin
- Dale Von Krosigk
- Grant Fleming
- Betsy Gusea-Gerringer
- Jim Johnson
- Rick Keslar
- John Steil
- Jeff Rayment
- Sam Galeotos
- Rod Hottle
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Committee Chairs
Royalty
Rachel Shutter, Miss Frontier 2010
Rachel, the 20 year old daughter of Sue Shutter, has always had a strong admiration for Cheyenne Frontier Days and the western way of life. Rachel was born in Lakewood, Colorado and later moved to Cheyenne after attending Cheyenne Frontier Days for the first time as a young child; it was love at first rodeo. She spent her senior year of high school with the CFD Dandies equestrian drill team, and although it was only a year, it was enough to fuel her desire to continue to be involved with the "Daddy of 'em All". Rachel is extremely grateful to have her sister Sonya, her brother Nathan and her lovely mother always there to support her and her dreams.
Since moving to Wyoming, Rachel has lived on a ranch where her mom is a manager. Working off the back of a horse from a young age has allowed Rachel to acquire an incredible work ethic. Even prior to being a CFD Dandy, Rachel was always promoting Cheyenne Frontier Days to everyone who came out to the Terry Bison Ranch where she worked. She has taken hundreds of people from all over the world out on horseback rides and on tours to view Bison. This is also where Rachel discovered her passion for breaking and training horses. Most recently she has discovered yet another passion: teaching people to ride. Between school, work, extracurricular activities and Miss Frontier, Rachel finds time to give horseback riding lessons to young and old alike.
Rachel is a graduate of Cheyenne Central High School and is currently attending the Laramie County Community College where she is working towards a degree in biology with a pre-veterinary medicine option. She will move on to a University in the fall to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a large animal veterinarian and to someday own her own practice.
She is currently a member of STARR club at LCCC and also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Rachel also loves to volunteer her time to local organizations. Rachel was a member of National Honor Society and played trumpet in Central's marching, concert and jazz band. She has volunteered at Cole Elementary, nursing homes and has played a part in litter control around the city of Cheyenne. Rachel was a member of 4-H for ten years. While in 4-H she showed horses and held several years in office.
Rachel is a very hard-working woman who has received many awards and honors throughout the years. A few of her achievements include being on the honor role for four years, receiving the Director;s Award, making all-state band, being awarded several outstanding academic achievement awards, and receiving several scholarships. One of her highlights in high school was being one of 30 students selected from a four state region to participate in the Women in Science program at the Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
"It is such an incredible honor to be able to represent the 'Daddy of 'em All!' There are 2,500 volunteers who come together for one reason: the love of Cheyenne Frontier Days and what it represents. Like many others, I have caught the CFD virus and will never stop supporting this wonderful celebration of western tradition! God Bless the volunteers, the cowboys, the cowgirls and all those who may experience the magic of this western celebration!"
Amy Berry, Lady In Waiting
Amy Berry the daughter of Jay and Janice Berry, was born and raised north east of Cheyenne where her family ranches. Amy has two sisters Stacia, Jessie and one brother Ben. The ranching way of life has been a tradition for her family since 1910 when her great grandmother, Mary Bevan homesteaded the land and married another homesteader Jay Berry. The family has ranched, grown and stayed in the business selling registered Horned Hereford Cattle.
Amy is a graduate of East High School. Amy was an active member of the Frontier FFA Chapter where she served as the Chapter Vice President and went on to serve as Wyoming State FFA Secretary. She participated in DECA, National Honor Society and on the Speech and Debate Team. Amy spoke out against alcohol and drugs as a member of the C.A.N. program. (Change Attitudes Now) Amy was Wyoming's Beef Ambassador and was selected for the National Beef Ambassador team in 2005. Amy has held various leadership roles in her 4-H club, the Handy Dandies and in the Wyoming Junior Hereford Association. She discovered her passion for showing cattle and animal husbandry as she has been on the show halter since she was seven.
Amy now attends the University of Wyoming in Laramie where she is studying Animal and Veterinary Sciences with a pre-vet option. She currently serves as an Ambassador for the College of Agriculture, an ASUW Senator and just finished her role as president for the Delta Delta Delta sorority on campus. Amy also enjoys Food Science Club, Block and Bridal Club and coaching three year old's soccer teams each spring with the Laramie Recreation Center.
Amy has been attending Cheyenne Frontier Days as long as she can remember. She has always loved riding and served in the color guard carrying the CFD flag in 2005 and rode in Jr. Barrels. Her family has loved riding in the carriages during the parades keeping the old west clothing carriages alive.
As a young girl Amy says she was inspired to apply for the position of Lady-In-Waiting by her Aunt Pat who was Miss Frontier in 1971. "As I grew, I realized Miss Frontier is more than the girl with the white buckskins and fast horse. She is the woman who represents the old west and the current western way of life. She is the woman who tells the story of Cheyenne's history, the traditions of the west and who celebrates rodeo. Cheyenne Frontier Days is a wonderful celebration for our community, our heritage and the way of life that I love. I am honored to be a part of this long standing tradition!"
Pioneer Printing, proud sponsors of the Miss Frontier Saddle.
Dandies
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The Dandies of the "Daddy of 'em All" serve as good will ambassadors for
the world's largest outdoor rodeo celebration.
They represent Cheyenne Frontier Days at rodeos, fairs and other celebrations throughout
the Rocky Mountain Region visiting a total of nine states. During the ten days of
Frontier Days they will attend the Coronation Ball, the Western Art Show and Sale,
the Pancake Breakfasts, and the USAF Thunderbird Aerial Demonstration. In addition,
they participate in each of the four downtown parades, nine rodeo performances and
eight night shows.
Diane Humphrey, director, devotes hundreds of hours developing routines, selecting
clothing, supervising practices, making travel arrangements and just being there
for the girls.
Clothing sponsors for the Dandies include Wrangler Shirts and jeans, Justin Boots,
and Bailey Hats.
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Diane Humphrey, Director
The 2010 Dandies:
- Caitlyn Alarid
- Taylor Albert
- Melissa Davis
- Brittany DeMartin
- Randi Evans
- Sarah Ferguson
- Sami Jo Heitsch
- Amanda Heller
- Brittney Kupec
- Shelby Kindsvater
- Gabriele Kramer
- Kaci Malmborg
- Alyssa Miller
- Chloe Pfoor
- Betsy Plemons
- Sara Rangitsch
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The Hooey: CFD Volunteer Newsletter