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Have you ever known you wanted to do something? Maybe you were not quite sure when, but you were dead set you were going to make it happen one day?
That was exactly me in the third grade. I had entered a PBS Kids Writing Contest and felt on fire about being an author, especially after my entry, Back in Time, received first place for the third-grade age division statewide. From that point forward, I knew I wanted to one day be an author. I was unsure of what that would look like, but I knew I wanted to achieve that goal.
The short story Lindsey entered in the PBS Contest. [Photo: Lindsey Miller]
Flash forward to November of 2022, and that goal became a reality. I was officially the author of my first children’s book, The Girl in Lime Green Jeans. Although, the title and characters changed, the storyline remained the same; a girl who feels lost but finds her passion and inner confidence. If I am being truly honest, this story is mine. I am the girl in lime green jeans. When I was younger, I felt out of place and small, but when I won my first rodeo queen title, that soon changed. I found a passion and an inner confidence I did not know I had. For that very reason, I made it a personal goal to share my story in hopes of enticing those of all ages and walks of life to ‘Find their light’, may this be the lack of a passion or inner confidence. People yearn to be inspired by a relatable and personable story, because then it seems attainable. That is exactly my goal with The Girl in Lime Green Jeans.
Throughout my tenure as Miss Rodeo North Dakota, I have set a goal to share the story of The Girl in Lime Green Jeans with every Kindergarten through Third Grade classroom in the state of North Dakota. To some this may seem unattainable, but I am a true believer that anything is possible with a little planning and a lot of hard work.
Hard work is what made my rodeo queen journey possible — what started as a small flame to run for my local title became an enormous fire to pursue my goal of being Miss Rodeo North Dakota. Do not get me wrong, this was a goal that came with its fair share of trials and tribulations; sometimes ones that stopped me in my tracks. There were countless times I felt like hanging up my hat. However, deep down I just could not find it in myself to give up. It took five titles and six years of being a rodeo queen to get to where I am today. So, if I can share my story and its highs and lows to help inspire and encourage those around me to stay determined in the pursuit of what sets their soul on fire, I will.
Lindsey talking with Kindergarten through Second Grade students about her passion. [Photo: Lindsey Miller]
The Girl in Lime Green Jeans has already began her trek around the state, visiting several schools in between my out-of-state rodeo travels. I have many more dates set for school visits, with more being added to my calendar daily. I am so excited to see this goal come to fruition and see the amazing support from everyone. When I first released the book, I was unsure if everyone would love the story I was telling and understand what I was trying to say about finding your own light and passion. Little did I know, the support I would receive and excitement for me to visit schools across North Dakota. I greatly look forward to where it continues to go and am humbled by everyone, thus far, who has purchased a book, scheduled me to visit their school, and asked me to sign their book.
Anything is possible if you put your mind to it and stay determined — yes, even publishing a book at the age of 22.
Lindsey Miller, 22, resides in Flaxton, North Dakota on the family farm with her parents, Steve and Denise, and three younger siblings.
Lindsey graduated from Dickinson State University with an Associate degree in Agriculture Business. While at DSU, Lindsey was highly active in the DSU Agriculture Club, in which she worked alongside her peers to host events for 4-H and FFA youth, as well as educate those without an agriculture background.
In her free time, Lindsey participates in cowboy mounted shooting, barrel racing, announcing at local youth rodeos and horse shows, sewing, or searching for unique, vintage western finds at thrift stores.
As a rodeo queen, Lindsey strives to use her influence to encourage others to ‘find their light.’ With the help of her published book, The Girl in Lime Green Jeans, Miller aims to share her personal story to reach those outside of our everyday communities in hopes of enticing them to learn about and become a part of our great western heritage.