The Maui News

KAHULUI–The Makawao Stampede, hosted by the Oskie Rice Event Center and Kaonoulu Ranch is proud to introduce the 2024 Makawao Stampede Queen, Shylee Marie Noelani Gomes. Shylee is the daughter of Alex and Carie Gomes of Wailuku, Maui, and granddaughter of TJ and Sandi Gomes of TJ Gomes Trucking Co.

Shylee is an alumna of the Hawai’i High School Rodeo Association- Maui District, Maui Youth Rodeo Organization, and a current member of the Kaupakalua Roping Club where she competes in breakaway roping, and loves the adrenaline rush of barrel racing off of her palomino horse named Twinkie, and gray horse named Halo.

As the Makawao Stampede Queen, Shylee will serve as an ambassador to the sport of rodeo and perpetuate the Paniolo heritage. Shylee strives to represent everyone within the rodeo community and exemplify the values instilled within each cowboy and cowgirl. As to her, rodeo is more than just a sport. She describes it as a bond between the livestock and competitors, the relationships built between animals and people, emphasizing the familial bond created between cowboys and their willingness to help others and their animals with utmost care and respect, even when competing against each other.

Shylee would like to express her gratitude to her parents for their support throughout her rodeo and personal endeavors and to her family and friends who have been a tremendous support system and believe in her. She thanks Aunty Morag Miranda, Aunty Maile Masada, Kaonoulu Ranch, and Makawao Stampede organizers for providing her with this opportunity. Lastly, she would like to thank those who have brought her to where she is today, as it would not have been possible without them.

We encourage you all to show your support for Shylee and our paniolo at the 2024 Makawao Stampede which will kick off on Friday, July 5, with an adrenaline pumping Bull Bash sponsored by Monster Energy, featuring musical guest, Kapena at 5PM with rodeo to follow at 7 p.m., and an action packed rodeo weekend on July 6 and 7 starting at 1 p.m. with pre-show performances by the Rob Tracy band on Saturday, and Ho’aikane on Sunday at 11 a.m.