For about 40 years, Elizabeth "Liz"' Escobedo has been a staple among.Cheyenne Frontier Days™ volunteers. She said she started out bringing food to Gene Bryan, a friend of the family who would later become Executive Director for CFD. Later, she answered phones and extinguished fires around the park when Bryan was occupied with other tasks. "I didn't even realize I was volunteering," Escobedo said. "I was just helping out an old friend."

As one of the early members of the now Public Relations Committee, Escobedo stationed herself on top of H stand's roof and recorded the contestants' scores to give to the media at the end of the day.

Fellow Hall of Famer, Randy Wagner, said Escobedo worked with a pulley system in the early years. If she missed a score, she hooked a note to a line with clothespins and sent it down to the announcer, who would return the line with the correct information. Escobedo continued to work from above H stands for nine years before she took up a new perch above the press deck in K stands.

Throughout the years, Escobedo evolved into the matriarch of the PR Committee. She counseled, guided, advised and, at times, led the PR volunteers without the need for exuberant flair. Wagner said no task was too small for Escobedo, and, during her 38 years with CFD, she worked every aspect of the PR Committee.

"It was her second career, I think,"Wagner said, chuckling.

In 2006, he spoke on Escobedo's behalf at her induction as the first female HEEL.

"She deserved it and everybody knew it,"Wagner added.

Escobedo said: "I was in Arizona when Jim Lynch (HEEL and PR Committee member) called and said, 'You made it.' I couldn't believe it. I was stunned."

Despite her ailing health, she continues to work every show and attend most Work Days, social events and PR meetings.

Recently, she became involved with the Coats for Kids program and the CFD Old West Museum art shows.

Wagner said Escobedo was an amazing hostess, who regaled her guests with unlimited knowledge about CFD. Above all, she set the bar for CFD volunteers, he added.

"I think people recognize Liz as the consummate volunteer,"Wagner said. "She's always there, always ready and always willing to help out with anything."