Moses Lake girl becomes cowgirl for a day

MOSES LAKE - Most little girls dream of being a princess.

But for 4-year old Khloe Shoemaker, whose mother describes her as rambunctious and tomboyish, playing princess is the last thing on her mind.

"She is wild," said mom Karissa. "She's always outside playing in the mud and playing in the water."

So what does the little Moses Lake resident dream of being if not a princess? Simple, a cowgirl.

And that's when the Children's Western Wish Foundation stepped in to help Khloe, who was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disease, become a little cowgirl.

"She is generally a very crazy, go-go-go child," said Shoemaker of her middle daughter. "But not so much anymore, the medicines she is on is making her very run down."

She added that Khloe's condition causes her kidneys to malfunction when she gets sick, which will continue to affect her throughout her life. But Shoemaker works hard to make sure that at home, the focus is on Khloe and not her condition.

Shoemaker added that since Khloe always enjoyed attending rodeo events with her two sisters in the past, she will be ecstatic to finally get the chance to participate in one. This week's activities will hopefully put some more spring in Khloe's step.

According to Western Wish founder Glee Nett, Khloe will receive a brand new western outfit and a straw hat to help her nail the cowgirl look. Nett said the only thing Khloe will have to worry about is how her new boots and jeans will compliment the belt buckle and "Queen Khloe" sash she will be presented with later this week.

She added that Khloe will definitely be kept busy this week.

Like other rodeo girls, Khloe attended the Demo Derby last night, and will attend the events of the Miss Rodeo Washington pageant, a fashion show and of course, the rodeo events at the main arena Saturday night.

"I founded Western Wish to share our western heritage," said Nett, who travels across the United States and parts of Canada to help others experience the same rodeo magic she fell in love with. "When I retired, I wanted to still stay with my rodeo family."

Nett said planning the ultimate rodeo experience for Khloe began a few months ago, after she was nominated for the program by a community member. Since then, Nett has worked closely with the Roundup Association to make sure Khloe receives the luxury red carpet treatment this week.

Association president Mike Cobb said supporting Western Wish in their efforts to help Khloe become a cowgirl was an opportunity for the group to have an even bigger role in the community.

"The community is part of roundup, so people that need a little help or assistance, it's nice to help," he said. Cobb presented Khloe with her hat yesterday, which had been signed by bull riders, rodeo royals and volunteers.

Nett also enlisted the help of Miss Rodeo Washington Kylie Kooistra and Miss Moses Lake Roundup Jade Thompson to show Khloe the ropes of being a rodeo royal.

Kooistra, who has been involved in pageants and rodeos for many years, said she has had the opportunity to meet several Western Wish recipients over the years. Being a positive role model and helping them experience the western way of life is one of the reasons why she enjoys helping the foundation so much.

"That's basically why I do this," she said. "To be that positive influence in someone else's life and to let them know that dreams can come true with a little bit of perseverance and hard work."

Kooistra met Khloe for the first time yesterday, and gave the girl a gentle hug and a bouquet of flowers.

"This is all for you," she told Khloe. "Are you excited?"

Standing between her mother and Kooistra, Khloe the cowgirl slowly smiled and nodded.