Every December cowgirls and cowboys from around the world take over the city of lights. This is a pinnacle event for every rodeo fan and contestant and is commonly referred to as Cowboy Christmas. The excitement is also felt among young ladies donning crowns atop their cowgirl hats — rodeo queens. Each year, these state rodeo queen representatives gather for a chance to compete at the prestigious Miss Rodeo America Pageant (MRA).

Did you know North Dakota has been represented every year since the pageant was founded in 1955? Yes, each year our current Miss Rodeo North Dakota wraps up her one-year reign by competing in Las Vegas. Her ‘Lady in Waiting’ (the next year’s Miss Rodeo North Dakota) also attends to not only serve as a cheerleader, but to observe the pageant and take notes to be prepared for her turn the following year.

Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2022 Elise Burwell and Miller at the ‘Get Acquainted Party’ [Photo: Miss Rodeo New Mexico Emma Cameron]

Some things are better understood up close, and that would be the case with the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. The Wrangler Network does a fantastic job broadcasting various segments of the pageant however, sometimes you gain more from an up-close, in-person view.

The Miss Rodeo America Pageant is truly a production and is something like no other. Each year, the MRA Executive Board strives to make the pageant more spectacular than the year before, even when you feel that would be impossible.

This year I had the opportunity to spend a week in Las Vegas observing the MRA up close, as the 2023 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Lady in Waiting. I attended the Get Acquainted Party, horsemanship, speeches, fashion show, PRCA luncheon, back number ceremony, and coronation. A new addition this year was several Lady in Waiting activities that gave us an opportunity to meet our fellow 2023 state queens: a bowling party, time in the MRA Booth at the PRCA Convention, a breakfast, and a photoshoot with the talented Sherry Smith. To say I had a busy schedule would be putting it lightly.

A few of my favorite moments while in Vegas included receiving my official STS Ranchwear leather jacket with my name and title on it, meeting my fellow 2023 state queens, and realizing crown or not people know you’re a rodeo queen.

Back in September, MRA Pageant Executive Director Jeana Linton reached out to us for the order of our official jackets. Now to some, this jacket may simply be a jacket, but for me it’s a symbol — symbol of a dream come true and a legacy. My icons before me have worn a similar jacket and to have my very own is such a sense of achievement. If you see me wearing said jacket 24/7, just know I am over the moon to own it and to have achieved such an honor.

Brenda (Bonogofsky) Pickett, the First Miss Rodeo North Dakota to win Miss Rodeo America, & Miller [Photo: Lana Feeley]

It is said that 2023 is going to be one of the MRA Pageant’s larger years, as we will have 35 states represented! I share this as it is a common thought that all 50 states are represented each year at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, and, unfortunately, that is not the case. PRCA rodeo and western heritage is not prevalent in every state and, therefore, makes it tough to have a state rodeo representative. In most recent years, the Miss Rodeo America Pageant typically hosts anywhere from 25-28 young ladies. Having nearly 35 state representatives in the competition is fantastic for the professional sport of rodeo, but also for our western heritage and future growth of our industry.

Lastly, no matter if you are in rodeo queen attire or not, people know you are a rodeo queen. Now, I am not talking about people who know you, but rather random strangers. I don’t know if it has something to do with the way we do our makeup, style our hair or what, but, by golly, did I have several people start up a conversation with me that led to me sharing I was Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2023. Some may find this bothersome, but for me I feel the most sense of fulfillment when I connect with a person about the sport of rodeo outside of my crown and sash. To me the crown and sash is merely a tool in the scheme of my act of service for our great western heritage. If you truly love your job and are good at it, the job becomes second nature and the tools once needed are no longer depended on.

I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to spectate the pageant in person this year. I feel that I walked away with new knowledge from the 28 ladies who competed this year, but also with a long list of goals as well. Goals to be my best self and to truly showcase the legendary state of North Dakota to the best of my ability.

Being Miss Rodeo North Dakota is not only a dream come true, but an honor that not many receive. As we near 2023 and the beginning of my dream job, I feel a sense of gratitude for all that have gotten me to where I am today. Here’s to a prosperous 2023 and to achieving anything you set your mind to!