Shaylyn Hunt is so eager for a once-in-a-lifetime chance at earning Stampede royalty that she's willing to extend her final year of schooling to accommodate any position she might be crowned.--NEWS PHOTO SAMANTHA JOHNSON
Shaylyn Hunt has always looked up to people in royalty ambassador positions and is now competing in the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede’s Royalty Competition herself.
“It’s not just their sparkly shirts and pretty smiles,” stated Hunt. “There is so much more. They are ambassadors for the agricultural industry, and for the rodeo industry. It’s a lifestyle, and now more than ever we need passionate individuals to stand up for our lifestyle.”
Hunt is one of three contestants in the 2022 Rodeo Royalty competition, running Wednesday through Saturday this week. Events open to the public include Horsemanship (Thursday, 7p.m. at the grandstand), Public Speaking (Friday, 6 p.m. at the Cypress Centre) and Fashion Show (Saturday, 2 p.m. at the Cypress Centre).
Hunt was a Canada Day baby and just turned 20 a couple weeks ago. She comes from a farming and ranching family and grew up on a commercial cow/calf operation. Born in Medicine Hat, her parents split soon after and she moved with her mom to outside Lloydminster on the Saskatchewan side.
For as long as she can remember, Hunt has been riding horses and involved with the agricultural industry.
“I love horses, I love cows and have a certificate in animal science from Lakeland College in Vermillion,” said Hunt.
Once she got her certificate, she decided not to complete the second year of the program as she wanted to change paths. Hunt has always looked up to her mom, who is a crime analyst. With her father and extended family living in Medicine Hat, she decided to move here to pursue Criminal Justice and Legal Studies at Medicine Hat College.
Completing her first year with honours, Hunt is looking forward to taking her second and final year of the course. Once finished, she wants to take a degree and enter law school.
Things will alter slightly if Hunt wins. She plans to back off on how many classes she is taking and possibly stretch her final year into two.
“I want to get the most out of the year,” explained Hunt. “You only have one chance to do something like this.”
Her mom and younger brother still live up in Lloydminster, and Hunt tries to get up there as much as she can, but it is never as much as she would like. Both will be coming to Medicine Hat to support her during the competition.
The preparation for the competition was intense but enjoyable for Hunt.
“When you first apply you hand in a nicely done resume and a little bit about yourself. Once you are into it full swing, you have to plan all your outfits for the week, and write a prepared speech,” said Hunt.
Improving herself is what motivates Hunt.
“There is always room to be better than the person you were yesterday. By having that mindset, I feel I can grow as a person each day.”
