MISS RODEO NEBRASKA ASSOCIATION
Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2023
Rebel Sjeklocha
Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2023 is Rebel Sjeklocha. She is from Hayes Center, Nebraska, and is the daughter of Susan Sjeklocha and Rusty Sjeklocha. Rebel is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she obtained a degree in Agricultural Communications with minors in Law and Business and the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. At the University, Rebel was a member of various on campus student organizations including the Husker Equestrian Team and the UNL Rodeo Club. She is the host of a western lifestyle podcast called “Breaking the Barrier,” and looks to pursue a career that allows her to remain involved in agriculture. In her spare time, Rebel enjoys playing the guitar and writing cowboy poetry.
For more updates and photos from Rebel’s reign, visit our social media pages!
Photo Courtesy of KC Creations Photography
Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2023
Maci Cox
Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2023 is Maci Cox. Maci is the 17-year-old daughter of Josh and Jennifer Cox of North Platte. She will be a senior at St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools where she is involved in basketball, volleyball, track, high school rodeo and 4-H. She is also on the high honor roll, active in SAINTS leadership, and a member of National Honors Society.
Photo Courtesy of A Moment Photography
About Us
The mission of the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association to produce a quality pageant to select young women to be official ambassadors to promote the State of Nebraska, professional rodeo and our western values and lifestyles.
The concept of Miss Rodeo America was developed in 1955 by a group of gentlemen under the name of International Rodeo Management (IRM).
The same year, the town of Burwell, Neb. selected its first Miss Rodeo Nebraska: Dallas Hunt George of Lincoln, who held the MRN title in 1955 and 1956.
She won the regional title in Omaha at the AK-SAR-BEN Rodeo in 1956 and went on to compete and win the Miss Rodeo America title in 1957.
Laura (Lolly) Cameron Klug won the MRN title in 1957. She also won the Regional title at AR-SAR-BEN and competed at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. In 1959, she was named as the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Queen and given the title of Miss Rodeo Northwest. She then competed again at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, where she was second runner-up.
The MRN Pageant has continued every year since its humble beginnings. The goal of it is to select a young lady with the desire and enthusiasm to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the sport of rodeo and the state of Nebraska.
In 1991, after Burwell had hosted the pageant for 36 years, the pageant was moved to North Platte so it could be presented in conjunction with Nebraska’s official state celebration, NEBRASKAland DAYS and the PRCA Buffalo Bill Rodeo.
Also in 1991, NEBRASKAland DAYS started a tradition of presenting a $1,000 scholarship to newly crowned MRNs. The MRNA Scholarship Program has continued to grow and now awards more than $5,000 in scholarship money.
In 2000, the pageant schedule was changed from three days to four days. In 2006 the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association, Inc. expanded its program to include the Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska Pageant.
President – Michelle Whitson, MRN 2010
Vice President – Jane Qualm
Secretary – Peggy Moorhead
Treasurer – Shari Schlichtemeier
National Director – Joni Jespersen
Assistant Director/Miss Teen Rodeo NE – Cathy Ewing
MRN 2022 – Bailey Lehr
Past President – Sally Haythorn
Advisory member – Lolly Klug
Advisory member – Karen Freeze
2023 MEMBERSHIP FORM
News
Big Springs Cowgirl Crowned Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2024
Winners Announced for the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association 67th Annual Pageant
North Platte, NE – Sparkles and rhinestones glittered as the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association crowned new queens. JoSee Saults earned the title of Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2024 and Maci Cox the title of Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2023.
The Miss Rodeo Nebraska coronation took place during the first performance of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte on Wednesday, June 14, Saults, 22, of Big Springs, will serve as Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2024. By earning the category awards and title, she will receive thousands of dollars in scholarship funds that includes a two-year, renewable full tuition scholarship to Mid-Plains Community College at the conclusion of her reign. Numerous other prices such as a tiara, saddle, buckle, chaps, tack and jewelry were awarded by the sponsors of the program.
Crowned Lady-in-Waiting until January 1, 2024, her focus will be gathering sponsors and filling in at rodeos the reigning queen, Rebel Sjeklocha of North Platte is not able to attend. Saults will compete for the coveted title of Miss Rodeo America 2025 in Las Vegas, NV December 2024.
Saults is the 22-year-old daughter of Scott and Jill Saults. She recently graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in communication and a minor in sociology. She plans to attend law school. Saults grew up on her family ranch where they raise horses and a small herd of commercial cattle. Saults competed in both junior and high school rodeo. During college, Saults was on the Eastern Wyoming College rodeo team, and she served as the team president. Saults enjoys competing in Breakaway roping and training horses.
Receiving the teen title was Cox, the 17-year-old daughter of Josh and Jennifer Cox of North Platte. She will be a senior at St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools where she is involved in basketball, volleyball, track, high school rodeo and 4-H. She is also on the high honor roll, active in SAINTS leadership, and a member of National Honors Society.
Taking top honors in several categories, Cox won the personality, congeniality and horsemanship awards. Jaelyn Himmelberg of Lawrence was awarded first runner up and the categories of written test and appearance. Hannah Siwinski of Central City received the speech and photogenic awards, while Shealynn Rasmussen was named the Rising Star. Cox took home several prizes including a two year tuition scholarship to Mid-Plains Community College.
Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2024 Pageant Schedule
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Horsemanship Competition
10am Wild West Arena – FREE
Horsemanship BBQ & Raffle
Following Horsemanship – Wild West Arena Pavilion
Tickets at the Gate $10 Adults |$5 Ages 4 – 6 | 3 and under – Free
Sponsored by: NEBRASKA LAND BANK
Monday, June 12, 2023
Speech Competition
6pm Mid-Plains Community College Theater/South Campus
“Friends of Miss Rodeo Nebraska” Presentation
Tickets at the Door $5 Adults | $2.50 Ages 4 – 6 | 3 and under – Free
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Miss Rodeo Nebraska Style Show
Miss Rodeo Nebraska Scholarship Auction
7pm Mid-Plains Community College Theater/South Campus
Tickets at the Door $25 Adults | $13 Ages 4 – 6 |3 and under – Free
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska Coronation
1:30pm Mid-Plains Community College Theater/South Campus
Tickets at the Door $10 Adults | $5 Ages 4 – 6 | 3 and under – Free
Miss Rodeo Nebraska Coronation
8pm Wild West Arena during the Buffalo Bill Rodeo
Tickets online at nebraskalanddays.com
MRN Pageant Awards Ceremony
9pm Wild West Arena Pavilion – FREE
Contestants Announced for the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association 2024 Pageant
Contestants from across the state will compete for the coveted titles of Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2024 and Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2023. The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association will host the annual pageant June 11 – 14, 2023 in North Platte during NEBRASKAland DAYS.
The contestants will compete in the categories of horsemanship, appearance and personality. Three judges will review the performance and knowledge of each of the ladies.
2024 Miss Rodeo Nebraska Contestants
Jessica Lange
Jessica Lange is the the 22-year-old daughter of Roger and Jeanine Lange from Crofton, NE. She is currently studying agribusiness at Northeast Community College. Jessica plans to continue raising beef cattle, both registered and commercial, on her family farm. In her free time, you’ll find Jessica doing everything from baking, sewing, and running, to tagging new born calves, fixing fence, hauling a load of cattle for the neighbors, and of course training and conditioning her two mares, Sugar Bear and HB.
JoSee Saults
JoSee Saults is the 22-year-old daughter of Scott and Jill Saults from Big Springs, Nebraska. JoSee just recently graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Communication and a minor in Sociology. She plans to attend law school. JoSee grew up on her family ranch where they raise horses and a small herd of commercial cattle. JoSee competed in both junior and high school rodeo. During college, JoSee was on the Eastern Wyoming College rodeo team, and she served as the team president. JoSee enjoys competing in Breakaway roping and training horses.
2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska Contestants
Maci Cox
Maci Cox is the 17-year-old daughter of Josh and Jennifer Cox of North Platte, NE. Maci will be a senior at St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools where she is involved in basketball, volleyball, track, high school rodeo, and 4-H. She is also on the high honor roll, active in SAINTS leadership, and a member of NHS. Maci is honored to have the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska.
Jaelyn Himmelberg
Jaelyn Himmelberg is the 17-year-old daughter of John and Cassandra Himmelberg of Lawrence, NE. Jaelyn will be a senior at Blue Hill High School in the fall where she is active in basketball, band, speech, FBLA, and on the high honor roll. Jaelyn is the Captain of her Spirit Squad, Secretary of her FFA Chapter, Treasurer of National Honor Society, and President of her junior class and 4-H club. Jaelyn enjoys dancing, camping, and spending time with her friends and family. Jaelyn’s future plans are to pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology and return to practice in rural Nebraska.
Shealynn Rasmussen
Shealynn Rasmussen is the 17-year-old daughter of Scott and Carrie Rasmussen of Burwell, NE. She is a recent Burwell Jr-Sr High School graduate and will be a freshman at Fort Hays State University in the fall. She plans to major in Agriculture Education and will be a member of the Honors College, FHSU Shooting Team. While in high school, she was involved in FFA, Speech Team, FCCLA, One Act, Art Club, 4-H, Nebraska High School Rodeo, and the National Honor Society. Shealynn likes to spend her spare time with family and friends, working with her animals, and doing black and white pencil sketches.
Hannah Siwinski
Hannah Siwinski is the 18-year-old daughter of Michael and Sherry Siwinski of Central City. A 2023 graduate from Palmer Public Schools in Palmer, NE, Hannah has been an active member of 4-H, FFA, rodeo, and shooting sports. She enjoys fashion and all things western. Hannah loves public speaking and is always happy to educate her peers on agriculture. Her passion for the equine industry is fueled by working with and training her own horses. She prioritizes her time to spend with her family and animals. Hannah enjoys volunteering in her community and making other people’s day a little brighter.
2023 Clinics Announced
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Save the Date for the 2023 Miss Rodeo Nebraska Coronation!
Join us for the official coronation of Rebel Sjeklocha, Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2023!
Sjeklocha Claims Crown and Over $14,000 in Scholarship Funds
Winners Announced for the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association 66th Annual Pageant
North Platte, NE, – Four days of competition resulted in a crown for two new titleholders. The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association awarded Rebel Sjeklocha the title of Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2023 and Calie Troyer the title of Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2022.
Crowned during the first performance of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte on Wednesday, June 15, Sjeklocha, 21, of Hayes Center, will serve as Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2023. Sjeklocha was the lone competitor for the title, however, she had to achieve 75 percent of the past three winners scores to take the title and category awards. She is the second woman to win both Miss and Teen titles, as she served as Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2018.
By earning the category awards and title, she will receive over $14,000 in scholarship funds that includes a two-year, renewable full tuition scholarship to Mid-Plains Community College at the conclusion of her reign. Numerous other prices such as a tiara, saddle, buckle, chaps, tack and jewelry were awarded by the sponsors of the program.
Sjeklocha will serve as Lady-in-Waiting until January 1, 2023, gathering sponsors and filling in at rodeos the reigning queen, Bailey Lehr of Columbus, is not able to attend. At the completion of her reign, she will compete for the coveted title of Miss Rodeo America 2024.
Sjeklocha is the daughter of Rusty and Susan Sjeklocha. She is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communications with minors in Law and Business and the Engler Entrepreneurship Program. Throughout college, Sjeklocha was a competitive member of the Husker Equestrian Team, the president of the CASNR student advisory board, and very involved in other on-campus organizations. She is the host of a western lifestyle podcast called “Breaking the Barrier,” and enjoys all things media and communications. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and writing cowboy poetry.
Troyer of Hershey, NE took home the title of Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2022. She is the 17-year-old daughter of Yvette and Kyle Troyer. Troyer attends Hershey Public Schools where she will be a senior this fall and is involved in Future Business Leaders of America, dance, One-act, speech, National Honor Society, and Teammates. She is active in 4-H and has served as both the secretary and president on the 4-H Council. Troyer is active within her church community and volunteers time to help in her community. She wants to pursue a degree in pediatrics after high school because of her love for children.
Taking top honors in several categories, Troyer won photogenic, appearance, personality, written test and the coveted horsemanship award. Hannah Siwinski, 16, of Central City was awarded first runner-up and the speech award. Troyer took home several prizes including a two year tuition scholarship to Mid-Plains Community College.
Age Requirement Updates for the 2023 Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association Pageants
To reflect the recent change made by Miss Rodeo America Inc. regarding the age requirement for contestants at the Miss Rodeo America 2023 Pageant held in Las Vegas, NV in December 2022, the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association announced a change in age requirements for the contestants for the Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2023 Pageant to be held June 2022 during Nebraskaland Days celebration in North Platte.
The age requirement for Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2023 contestants now states:
2022 Participation Agreement for pageants held in 2022 that select a Lady-in-Waiting (2023 titleholder) who would compete in 2023 for Miss Rodeo America 2024 will agree and sign to the following on their MRA Pageant application: She will have reached 21 years of age by November 1 of this year (2023). She will have not reached 27 years of age and will have not reached 27 years of age as of December 31 of this year (2023).
In addition, the age requirements for the Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska pageant were also adjusted to reflect the best opportunities for our competitors.
The new age requirement for Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2022 contestants now states:
Contestant must not be less than 15, nor more than 18 years of age by the first day of the pageant as you compete for Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska.
Please reach out with any questions to our Executive Board Members or Pageant Chair Cindy Petersen.
The Sponsors of Miss Rodeo Nebraska
Photo courtesy of KC Creations Photography
We are so grateful to the many gracious sponsors who make the Miss Rodeo Nebraska program possible. We couldn’t do it without you! For more information about sponsorships, or to learn how to become a sponsor, contact Lacey Williams at laceyjane20@gmail.com, or Peggy Moorhead at moorhead@hersheytel.net.
Platinum
Diamond
MISS RODEO NEBRASKA ASSOCIATION
MARSHALL LAND BROKERS & AUCTIONEERS, JOHN CHILDEARS
ENGLER AGRIBUSINESS ENTERPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM – University of Nebraska Lincoln
NORTH PLATTE STOCKYARDS/ OGALLALA LIVESTOCK
SEW UNIQUE’S IRISH CHAIN & BUFF-N-BLUE
WELKER FEVOLD PR
Gold
JOHNA NIEDFELT
R & S HAY SERVICE, INC.
TED & LOLLY KLUG
Bronze
JESPERSEN FEELOT
JILL BUCHFINCK
Copper
BETTY & LARRY FREDERICK
BURNELL & DEBI STEINMEYER
DAN & KAREN TROYER
DAYNA WEVER
RANDALL & PAMELA SANER
Pageant Partners
NEBRASKAland Days
Buffalo Bill Rodeo
Mid-Plains Community College
Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association
Saddle Sponsors
Forms
Miss Rodeo Nebraska Rule Book
Miss Rodeo Nebraska Contract
Miss Rodeo Nebraska Entry Form
Grievance Form
Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska Rule Book
Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska Contract
Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska Entry Form
Grievance Form
2024 Pageant Visiting Royalty
Visiting Royalty Form
Young Cowgirls 2023
The Royalty Scrapbook
(Photo courtesy of KC Creations Photography)
Their reigns may be over, but our former Miss Rodeo Nebraskas and Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraskas will never be forgotten. Click on the links below to see photos of previous leading ladies.