MISS RODEO NEBRASKA ASSOCIATION
Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2024
JoSee Saults
JoSee’s love for rodeo and the western way of life started at a young age. She grew up on her family ranch west of Ogallala, Nebraska. They raise horses and a small herd of cattle. JoSee is the 22-year-old daughter of Scott and Jill Saults. JoSee started rodeoing with her two brothers when they were little. She competed in Jr. High and High School rodeo. JoSee college rodeoed for Eastern Wyoming College for two years. After her two years at EWC, JoSee transferred to the University of Wyoming. She graduated from the University of Wyoming in May 2023 with a degree in Communication and a minor in Sociology. JoSee plans to attend law school with an emphasis on agricultural law.
JoSee has competed in multiple events but considers breakaway roping to be her best and favorite event. In her free time, JoSee enjoys competing in rodeos, training horses with her dad, and helping on the family ranch.
She considers herself blessed that she was able to grow up in the western way of life. JoSee has a strong passion for the western lifestyle and cowboy traditions. She hopes to share that passion with others wherever she travels to. Being a long-time rodeo competitor, JoSee is thrilled to have the opportunity to represent her home state of Nebraska and promote rodeo.
For more updates and photos from JoSee’s reign, visit our social media pages!
Photo Courtesy of A Moment 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
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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 2023 – Rebel Sjeklocha
Past President – Sally Haythorn
Advisory member – Lolly Klug
Advisory member – Karen Freeze
2023 MEMBERSHIP FORM
News
Listen to KRVN’s coverage of the upcoming coronation event here!
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.
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 A Moment 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
Ruby
Diamond
MISS RODEO NEBRASKA ASSOCIATION
NORTH PLATTE STOCKYARDS/ OGALLALA LIVESTOCK
WELKER FEVOLD PR
THE DANIELS FAMILY
FARM BUREAU FINANCIAL SERVICES
MARK FERRARI SPECIALTY COFFEES
THE PETTIT FAMILY
SUSAN’S VET CLINIC
WELKER PR
Gold
TED & LOLLY KLUG
Silver
Kay Kimberly
SCOTT D. PETERSON ATTORNEY AT LAW
WADE MORGAN’S HUNTING, FISHING – AND GUN SUPPLY
DRAUCKER FUNRAL HOME
Bronze
21ST CENTURY EQUIPMENT LLC
CHUCKWAGON MEATS LLC
HYANNIS VETERINARY SERIVCE, INC.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK – GORDON
JESPERSEN FEELOT
KASCHKE FAMILY
MORSE DESIGNS
NEBRASKA STATE BANK
Johna Niedfelt
OGALLALA AG SUPPLY LLC
OSHKOSH ACE
Frosty and Melanie Peetz
SANDHILL OIL COMPANY
Ralph Saults
STROPE LAW
Justin, Sharleen, and Tileen Sullivan
THALKEN TITLE CO.
WOLF AUTO OGALLALA LLC
Copper
Howard and Linda Heidemann
AG-LAND ATV
CRAVEN FEED
DAWES COUNTY ABSTRACT & TITLE INC
EICHNERS SALES & SERVICE
GORDON LIVESTOCK MARKET
HINN’S HOME FURNISHINGS
HUMPHREY’S AUTO
JOHNSON WELL DRILLING
Bob Johnson
Dr. Michael & Renee Johnson
Tyler and Hazel Jordon and Family
JR’s WESTERN, INC.
KELLEY BEAN CO., INC.
MaKENZI’S BOUTIQUE
MEAD LUMBER CO
POPPE’S TRUCK & DIESEL REPAIR
SHERIDAN LIVESTOCK AUCTION
Jud & Jennifer Skavdahl
Steve and Karen Sun
SWAN CREEK STABLES L.L.C.
Dan and Karen Troyer
WAKEFIELD INSURANCE AGENCY, INC
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
Pageant Visiting Royalty
Visiting Royalty Form
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.