Keri Sheffield is a 24-year-old sweet-tea drinking,
sunshine-loving, cowgirl from Summerfield, Florida. She has a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing from Berry College, and works as an ICU nurse. As Miss Rodeo
America, Keri will receive more than $20,000 in scholarships. When the year is
over, she plans to continue her education to become a nurse anesthetist and
carry out her vision to serve as a medical missionary.
During
her reign as Miss Rodeo America and as the official representative of the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Keri will travel more than 120,000
miles and appear at more than 120 rodeo performances. Along the rodeo trail
she’ll make appearances at schools, children’s hospitals, civic groups and
other special events to educate the public about the sport of rodeo. Keri will
also serve as a spokesperson at a variety of promotional events and model in
advertisements for Western clothiers, publications, Miss Rodeo America sponsors
and other service providers to the Western industry.
Keri’s determination is
resolute, her passions unmistakable: riding, rodeo, kissing on her nieces and
nephews, and living a life of service. In her spare time, Keri enjoys reading,
hunting, fishing, riding horses, boating with her family, befriending
strangers, going on mission trips, paying it forward, and sports.
“There is an abundance of
privilege and responsibility bound to the crown of Miss Rodeo America. It would
afford any one of us the unique and honorable opportunity to promote the sport
of rodeo and the Western way of life. It is also a deeply personal choice. I
have prayed for an avenue by which I can be a living demonstration that a life
is best lived when it is given selflessly to others. I have prayed for a path
that can make my dreams of continuing my education a reality, which will
ultimately lead me to help administer medical services as a missionary in third
world countries. I have prayed for a way to lead others towards a sense of
belonging and community. I have prayed for a position of leadership from which
I can teach humility and simple kindness. Miss Rodeo America is, quite frankly,
an answer to my prayers.”