MIWW contestants showcase talent at awards luncheon

On Dec. 8, the Wyoming Wool Growers Auxiliary hosted their annual Make It With Wool (MIWW) State Contest and Awards Luncheon during the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Casper. 

The event was sponsored by WSGA and the Wyoming Wool Growers Association, as well as several donors including the Campbell County Wool Growers Auxiliary, Dorothy Jean Davis, Anne Leonard, Marcia Federer, Barbara Dilts, Bob and Marilyn Christensen, Eric and Kelly Barlow, Colleen Jennings and the Roxanna Johnson Memorial.

Lamb for the luncheon was provided by The Lamb Guys of Douglas and MIWW Director Kelly Barlow served as the emcee. 

Contestants and awards

Wyoming MIWW competitors who displayed their fashions in person included Jamie Wilkinson of Torrington in the adult division, Ashlynn Johnson of Encampment in the senior division and Miranda Smith of Lusk in the junior division.

A coat made by Karlie McDonald of Laramie was also on display, although McDonald was unable to attend the contest in person. Additionally, Donna Cale of Gillette entered a pillow in the contest.

Judges included Hannah Danford, Colleen Campbell, Rhonda Dilts and Marcia Federer. 

Contestants were evaluated on criteria including construction quality, fit and overall appearance, appropriateness to the contestant’s lifestyle, coordination of fabric and yarn with the style and design of the garment, creativity of the design and use of wool, how well the piece promotes the beauty and versatility of wool and the contestant’s presentation and poise.

Each contestant was awarded a length of Pendleton wool fabric and $25 for participating in the fashion show. 

First-place competitors in each division received a partially paid trip to the National MIWW Contest, set for Jan. 29-30, 2026 in Reno, Nev.

Cash prizes were also awarded in the Exemplary Construction, Embellishment, Creativity and People’s Choice categories.

Division results

In the adult division, Wilkinson was crowned the first-place winner. Her three-piece outfit included a shirt, skirt and coat made of Pendleton and Merino wool.  

In addition, Wilkinson earned a Construction Award and Creativity Award, sponsored by the Roxanna Johnson Memorial and Anne Leonard, respectively. 

In the senior division, Johnson earned first place with a navy blue embellished ensemble. She also received an Embellishment Award sponsored by Anne Leonard and was voted the People’s Choice winner, earning $100 donated by Eric and Kelly Barlow.

McDonald earned second in the senior division with her 100 percent Pendleton wool coat.

In the junior division, Smith took first with a mustard yellow wool coat. She earned $25, a length of Pendleton wool and a partially paid trip to the national contest. 

Additionally, Smith earned the Junior Construction Award sponsored by the Roxanna Johnson Memorial.

Cale’s pillow earned the Wool Handicraft Award and $25 donated by Bob and Marilyn Christensen.

A raffle was also held, with one-half of the proceeds going towards state MIWW expenses and the other half going towards expenses on the national level. The raffle prize was a quilt donated by Michigan’s director of the state MIWW contest.

Grace Skavdahl is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.