The county resident has held three titles leading up to this pageant, including Miss San Benito Rodeo in 2017.
On October 27, the Miss Rodeo California pageant is set to begin at the Pavilion on the Lake in Atascadero, California. Corissa King of Hollister will be featured as one of three contestants for the Miss Rodeo California crown this year.
The Miss Rodeo California Facebook page will be live throughout the week so outside viewers can follow the pageant. The results are expected to be announced Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.
The position of Miss Rodeo California serves as a representative of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association both in the state and nationally, as well as an ambassador for the State of California, the sport of rodeo and the industry agricultural. This competition seeks to name the woman who will take over next year.
King graduated from Hollister High School in 2017, before attending California State University Fresno. She graduated in December 2021 with a degree in Media Communication and Journalism with a specialization in Broadcast Journalism. She is currently working as a Footwear Product Development Assistant at Ariat International. King was a BenitoLink summer intern in 2021.
With deep family ties to the rodeo world, King spent several years representing the sport and the western way of life while serving in various positions as rodeo queen. In 2017 she won her first title as Miss San Benito Rodeo. She then won her next title in 2019 as Miss Gilroy Rodeo, then in 2021 as Miss Clovis Rodeo.
“Rodeo is very important to me. At every contest, the reason I ran to be queen is not just to be a rodeo queen, but also to be an ambassador for the sport of professional rodeo. Sadly, in the state of California, we are losing people who support agriculture and the sport of rodeo. So I would like to not only be Miss Rodeo California, but also an ambassador for the sport of rodeo and agriculture as a whole,” King said.
The contest consists of contestants being judged based on their personality, looks, speech, photogenic qualities, and horsemanship. This includes both impromptu and extemporaneous speeches, personal interviews, a fashion element, a written test and the riding component. Equitation requires competitors to prove their abilities on horseback. The Miss Rodeo California organization seeks to select the most industry knowledgeable and qualified individual to represent the sport at a professional level.
“Having the knowledge and experience that I have with a degree in broadcast journalism, I think I have the best qualifications to be able to speak to people competently and professionally about rodeo and agriculture,” said King.
Since serving her year as Miss San Benito Rodeo in 2017, King has represented several rodeo organizations, but she still gives credit to the county that started her on this journey.
“Representing the county that made me a rodeo queen is a surreal feeling,” she said. “The support I have received from San Benito County is even more special. Thank you to the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo for all of their support and to all of the other generous Hollister and San Benito County donors and supporters.