Miss Rodeo North Dakota Ashley Andrews is proud to have won the 52nd annual Miss Rodeo America Pagent in Las Vegas on Saturday. Her victory is even sweeter because she is also winning her battle against cancer.

Andrews, 21, has beaten competitors from 28 states in categories such as horsemanship, personality, and appearance.

And she has beaten cancer after months of chemotherapy. Remission began on August 9 when she received a clean bill of health.

Feeling stronger than ever -- both mentally and physically -- Andrews believes everything in life happens for a reason. "Something good always comes from every bad situation," she said. And something good has happened.

As winner of the pageant, Andrews will receive a $10,000 scholarship, western apparel, and other prizes. She also becomes the new ambassador of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and will attend more than 100 rodeos during this year. A junior majoring in public relations and communications at the University of Mary in Bismarck, she will put college on hold during her reign as Miss Rodeo America.

Ashley was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2003. Earlier that year Ashley felt a lump and went to her doctor immediately. She was reassured that it was most likely nothing to worry about. In July she found another lump and her diagnoses was confirmed after returning to the doctor.

The cancer had spread from her neck to her chest, left lung and spleen. Ashley underwent six months of chemotherapy. In March of 2004 Ashley was in remission.

She then dedicated her life to putting together a cancer fundraiser to raise money for lymphoma research. Ashley wanted to give something back.

One week before her Keep on Swimming Gala Ashley was told her cancer had returned. This time the cancer had spread to her neck, chest, lungs, spleen and liver. This development led to Ashley receiving high dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

Ashley was an amazing girl. I kept up with her blog called Ashley's Journal. I was so sad to hear that she passed away on April 22, 2006. She left a great legacy behind and did so much for such a young girl.

I can't really put into words how brave and admiring she was so I'm going to quote one of her postings on her blog dated February of this year.

"The words palliative and terminal have come up this week. BUT ...they always come with and IF or a WHEN!! These two words are my HOPE. I am still fighting this disease and I haven't give up or surrendered. Yes, these are very scary times but I am also witnessing my bodies amazing ability to heal"