Rodeo names queen, teen queen

Anna Tillou, has been named the 2012 Silver Spur Rodeo Queen. She was crowned Saturday night during the Silver Spur Rodeo at the Yuma Fairgrounds.

“I am really excited,” she said right after the coronation. Tillou, 18, was the 2011 Silver Spur Rodeo Teen Queen.

“Being teen queen helped a lot because you know what to expect and what you need to do,” she said. “It feels great to have (the title) and to know I have another year ahead of me. I am really looking forward to it.”

She is ready for the added responsibility that comes with being a rodeo queen, and vows to do her best.

“I am really looking forward to it,” she said. “It takes a lot of work, but I am definitely dedicated and I am going to take the time to do it. It is going to be great no matter what.”

Tillou is the second member of her family to hold the title of rodeo queen. Her sister, Charity Tillou Tidwell, was the 2000 Silver Spur Rodeo Queen.

Also crowned Saturday was Alisha Crowder-Morehead, who now possesses the title of 2012 Silver Spur Rodeo Teen Queen.

Crowder-Morehead, 15, is a student at Gila Ridge High School, and was visibly overcome with emotion when her title was announced in the arena in front of hundreds of spectators.

“I just started crying,” she said.

As with Tillou, Crowder-Morehead was given a crown and a special pair of chaps. After she exited the arena, she said she was just beginning to understand her victory.

“I still haven't realized that I won,” she said. “Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be queen. I saw these chaps getting made, so I've always wanted to have them on. It feels great.”

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.