RAPID CITY, SD – While the pandemic has cut into the traveling schedules of rodeo queens, it hasn’t slowed down the Miss Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo program. Coordinator CC Steen is making this years pageant as open and available to spectators as possible.
“We would love to have everyone to come to the modeling and interview portion, Fri., Jan. 29,” says Steen. “This year, we are conducting that part of the pageant at The Journey (just across the street from the civic center). “In the Journey Theater there is ample room for seating where people can practice social distancing and other COVID safety measures they feel comfortable with. And it’s tiered seating in the theater so there is no bad seat.”
This year, there is also more engagement offered. Beginning at 6:15pm, there will be autograph signing with visiting queens where every aspiring princess can receive their very own tierra (while supplies last).
“For any young girls, we will have tierra’s that can be worn on cowboy hats or in the hair,” shares Steen. “We want to encourage the younger generation and share in their dreams about when they run for a queen title some day. I”m really excited because we’ve gotten such a great response to these additions to the pageant. “
Four contestants, one from Wyoming and three from South Dakota will be competing in this year’s pageant. On Sat., Jan. 30, contestants will compete in horsemanship at Tanna and Vince Holzer’s Arena. But that doesn’t have to preclude fans from watching the competition that will be live streamed on the Miss Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo Facebook page beginning at 1pm.
This year will represent the 32nd year of the pageant program. The reigning Miss Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo, Morgan Janesch, Lake City, SD will relinquish her crown Sat., Jan. 30 during the Stockmen’s Banquet & Ball held at the Ramkota Inn beginning at 6pm.
“For the 30th year, Stampers Gold Diggers Black Hills Gold here in Rapid City designed a new crown made of Black Hills Gold and Silver, garnished with diamonds that is just an outstanding piece,” says Steen. That was followed the next year by a pair of hair on hide chaps sponsored by Black Hills Community Bank. This year, there is custom designed belt buckle sponsored by former Miss Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo and Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Courtney Smithy Vettel.
Currant & Past MBHSS&R : 2020 -Morgan Janisch
2019 -Carrietta Schalesky
2018 -Meghan Proctor
2017- Monica Fowlkes
2016 – Sonyah Clifford*
2015 – Stephanie Gruener
2014 – Nikki Boomsma
2013 – Gina Jespersen**
2012 – Kristina Maddocks*
2011 – Trisha Smeenk
2010 – Teri Joe Weidner
2009 – McKenzie Haley*
2008 – Chelsie Riggs
2007 – Tara Trask*
2006 – Kate Moen
2005 – Courtney Smith*
2004 – Tricia Luckett
2003 – Megan Amdahl
2002 – Nicole Hutchinson
2001 – Danci Anderson*
2000 – Sara Keiser
1999 – Sheila Seger
1998 – Bobbi Jo Anderson*
1997 – Tracie Bowden*
1996 – No Contest
1995 – Kara Fordham*
1994 – Kallyn Droog
1993 – Tonya Dewey
1992 – Brenda Bryan
1991 – Kayla Korkow*
1990 – Syd Colombe
1989 – Susan Harner Dewey
*denotes BHSS Queen that went on to be Miss Rodeo South Dakota
**denotes BHSS Queen that went on to be Miss Rodeo Nebraska
