Sporting a big smile and handing off her white cane, Tori Ortiz joined her fellow Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen candidates trying her hand at roping, ducking into a barrel and climbing atop a bronc, fearlessly participating.
Ortiz, one of four vying for the crown of 2024 Elks Rodeo Queen, didn’t let her blindness interfere in either her enjoyment, or fundraising, for her sponsor, VTC Enterprises.
“I think I did awesome,” she said about the campaign before any final numbers were known. “We raised a lot of money for VTC, and that’s what matters.”
During Friday night’s rodeo, Ortiz was crowned 2024 Rodeo Queen after she and her sponsor raised $508,221, the most among the field of four making up this year’s contest.
John Glines, campaign chair for Ortiz, expressed pride in her performance and her representation of individuals with disabilities.
“For her to go out there and work as hard as she worked — she and her family and their whole network were absolutely amazing,” Glines said.
She is believed to be the first disabled candidate to enter the decades-old contest.
On Saturday morning, she rode in the back of a pickup truck for the Elks Rodeo Parade alongside her court.
“This has been so much fun,” she said earlier in the week in the waning days of the campaign. “It’s been tiring. It’s been crazy, but it’s been so much fun and intense. I love it.”
At the media clown school, Ortiz climbed atop a horse, tried her hand at lassoing and did a stint as a rodeo announcer.
“She’s been incredible,” Glines said, adding VTC Enterprises had looked for a special candidate.
Elks Recreation Chairman Peter Sterling has led the queen contest for about two decades and viewed Ortiz’s participation in the campaign as another representation of the broader community.
“She doesn’t let her disability affect her,” Sterling said.
Ortiz, blind since birth due to optic nerve hypoplasia, never thought her dream of running for rodeo queen could come true.
For her, the campaign also provided a chance to spread awareness about VTC Enterprises, which started in the 1960s when Santa Maria Valley parents wanted local services for their sons and daughters with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The organization assists individuals with disabilities by providing life skills training, job skills training and employment opportunities.
“I’m representing an organization I truly believe in, and I would not want to represent anyone else,” she said.
During the queen kickoff dinner in April she charmed and surprised attendees with quips about her lack of sight.
“Good evening, everyone. It’s nice to see you tonight,” said Ortiz, who carries a white cane and had help from the 2023 rodeo queen navigating the cavernous Elks Lodge hall, drawing laughter, applause and a standing ovation.
At many campaign and rodeo events, 2023 Rodeo Queen Michaela Jamison stood by Ortiz’s side, supplying all types of support. Jamison, like Ortiz, represented VTC.
“When I caught wind that she was going to be the new candidate, I said I want to come back. I want to help. I want to be as involved as I can be with her,” Jamison said.
Both Jamison and Ortiz are seniors at Righetti High School and became friends during the campaign.
“She’s done amazing. I’m very, very proud of her,” Jamison said.
On Friday night, Elks Rec representatives revealed that Alexis Righetti, great-granddaughter of rodeo co-founder Clarence Minetti, and her sponsor, St. Joseph High School, had raised the second most amount of money, collecting more than $400,000.
The pair along with princesses Jenna Rodriguez, sponsored by Guadalupe Kiwanis Club, and Nevaeh Rogers, Black Student Union, together raised $1,014,715.
Over the several decades, the queen contest has raised $17,419,345, which has supported youth recreation and other community programs.
