2024 Pageant

2024 MRK Queen Contestants

Brayley Frazier is the 21-year-old daughter of Hayley Frazier and big sister to Lawson Lamb. Brayley was born and raised in Garden City, Kansas and a graduate of Cimarron High School. In high school, Brayley was deeply involved in FFA livestock and horse judging, also FCCLA where she was awarded the recycle and redesign reserve state champion.
Brayley has competed for 15 years as a contestant in several associations like the Little Britches, Young Guns and Kansas High School Rodeo, among others. At the National High School Rodeo finals Braylee placed 7th overall in the queen competition, receiving 3rd in horsemanship and received points in every category of the contest, but one. And she was honored to fill in at the National High School Rodeo Association Finals as the pole bending event director. Braylee enjoyed her role at Nationals so much that she took on the role of calf-roping event director on the state level. She also received the honor of being selected for the Cinch High School Rodeo Team.
Currently Brayley has taken on the role of best big sister to her brother Lawson. She loves being a full-time hide and seek player and supporting him at his little league games and junior rodeos. In her free time, Brayley enjoys researching holistic health and educating her loved ones about health alternatives. She has a passion for photography, and loves any chance she can get to spend time behind a camera lens.
Brayley was honored to wear the crown of Miss Kansas High School Rodeo Association and was humbled by the support she received from the board, contestants and parents. She would like to thank her family and extended family for their support in the past and the encouragement they continue to give along this journey. She looks forward to representing Kansas in the next year and meeting new faces along the rodeo trail. She knows she is building memories and friendships that will last a lifetime!

Charity Rose Pulliam, the 23-year-old daughter of Kevan Pulliam, and Yvonne and Aubie Tarr, comes to you from the small town of South Haven, Kansas. She is a 2022 graduate of Oklahoma State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in agricultural sciences and natural resources with a major in agricultural communications and minor in animal sciences. While at OSU, Charity was a member of the cow horse judging team and the Oklahoma State Paddle People. She enjoys working as a veterinary technician and being a supportive big sister to her younger siblings, Trenton, Emily and Hayley. She has been accepted into Fort Hays University where she plans to complete the T2T program and receive her agricultural education teaching certificate. Charity’s passion for de-stigmatizing mental health struggles and awareness in the agriculture industry reflects in her platform 'Dare to Care'.

Jamie Nemechek is the 24-year-old daughter of Penny and Jerry Nemechek of Goodland, Ks. She has her undergraduate degree in Animal Science with an equine science certificate from Kansas State University and currently works as a Veterinary Assistant. She aspires to be a veterinarian working in a mixed animal practice.

Rebecca Thornton is from her hometown of Concordia, KS but currently has her roots planted in the tiny town of Hepler Kansas. Born to parents Angela Reed and Richard Thornton. She enjoys spending her time by beading, creating leatherwork, or spending time with her family and dogs. Rebecca’s occupation as a hairstylist allows her to be creative in her workplace as well as at home. When not at work or home, she loves to travel and see new places. After a severe concussion she sustained in highschool, she is now an advocate for Traumatic Brain Injury awareness and the life altering and long lasting effects that can accompany them. She hopes that everyone has an incredible week at Dodge City Days this week and wishes everyone safe travels throughout their rodeo season.

My name is Shelby Ney and I was born in Dodge City Kansas then at the ripe age of 2 years old moved to Rural Russell with my family. I attended school in Russell where I graduated in 2019 then continued on to Fort Hays State University where I am currently finishing my bachelor's degree in biology. While growing up in Russell I was involved in the Sunflower 4-H club where I participated in various projects including sheep, cattle, equine, and even welding. I was also the President of the Russell FFA chapter and various other clubs. I currently compete in KWHA, NBHA, and various other organizations. I live and work in rural Russell with my family helping to manage our black angus cattle ranch.

2024 MTRK Contestant

My name is Emma Catherine Brungardt. I am the 17 year old daughter of Michael and Holly Brungardt and the 5th of 7 siblings. In my family, I am the first generation to rodeo. Rodeo became a part of my life after the loss of my brother Joseph two years ago. My family is originally from Hanover and a little over eight years ago we moved to my grandpa's farm just outside of Blue Rapids. I enjoy any activities that involve nature, and especially enjoy spending time outside riding and working with my mustangs.
I am a 2023 graduate of Valley Heights High School in Blue Rapids, KS where I was active in FFA, holding offices of reporter and 2 years as vice president. I have competed in the Kansas Wild Horse Youth Challenge 4 years, winning grand champion in 2019 and 2021. I competed in the Kansas High School Rodeo Association for 2 years in the events of Breakaway, Goat Tying and Team Roping. I will be attending Colby Community College on a rodeo scholarship, and I plan on studying equine science to prepare for working in the horse industry. I dream of becoming the first person in my family to complete a college degree.

2024 MRK Pageant Judges

Debora Whaley

Debora resides in Kenansville, FL with her husband Kevin, They own Whaley Cattle Company where they run Crossbred Cow/Calves and purebred Brahman Cattle. They also raise working cow dogs and Ranch Horses. They have 4 children and 6 grandchildren spread across, Florida, Texas and North Carolina.
Debora is a member of Miss Rodeo America, Inc where she happily serves as one of the 8 Chaperones for all the State Queens during the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas each year. She is also on the Executive Board of Florida CattleWomen, Inc.
Debora is a member of The American National CattleWomen as well as, the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, FL and the Florida Brahman Breeders and American National Brahman Breeders. Debora secures the Judges for the Miss Silver Spurs Pageant held each June. She encourages young ladies in her area to become a part of the heritage of the Silver Spurs Rodeo by vying as their Rodeo Queen. She will also coach young ladies vying for other Rodeo Queen Pageants in her home state of Florida.
Debora has eagerly served as a judge for: Miss Rodeo Utah, Miss Rodeo Washington, Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Florida High School Rodeo Queen, Florida Brahman Breeders Queen and Princess Pageant and also several local pageants in her area.
Debora has been involved with Rodeo and Rodeo Queen Pageants for many years. Her youngest daughter was in Jr and High School Rodeo qualifying for Nationals each year as a barrel racer and pole bender.
Debora would like to say “THANK YOU” to the prestigious Miss Rodeo Kansas Pageant and excited to visit your beautiful state of Kansas.

Lauren Heaton

Lauren Heaton is the Vice President of Marketing for a tech company. She grew up in Northwest Oklahoma on her family's 6th generation farm and ranch. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in strategic communications and is currently completing her MBA from the London Business School. In 2014, Lauren won the title of Miss Rodeo Oklahoma and then went on to win the title of Miss Rodeo America 2015, the first from Oklahoma. Lauren is an active volunteer of the Oklahoma Rodeo Pageant's Council and the Miss Rodeo America National Advisory Council. She also volunteers on various committees for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. Lauren now resides in Denver Colorado after living in London England for the past six years. In her free time when she's home, lauren loves cooking, running, and riding horses on her family's ranch.

Leon Winfrey

Born and raised in Plains Kansas, for some crazy reason I haven't been able to find my way out of SW Kansas. After high school I made my way to Dodge City to DCCC for a couple years, then back to the farm with lots of education and a bride to be. Working for my dad on the family farm for a few years and running wheat cattle on my own, I was finally able to get enough ground rented to start my operation. Farming and cattle was our full time job until 1989 when we started Flying W Outfitters, this fall will be our 34th season of Pheasant and Deer hunts.
In 2001 we decided to start a value added product " from our farm to your table". So Pedro's Corn Chips was invented, with a great customer base we are still producing corn chips from our own white corn.
I have been involved in the rodeo world my entire adult life, starting in high school, until today. Rodeo has always stayed at the top of my list! I love team roping, I had my PRCA card for 6 years but when my 3 kids started High School rodeo, it was time for me to take a back seat. Rodeo has been our family's life, starting with Little Britches all the way through college and there still at it today as adults. I continued roping at home and local jackpots until my daughter made her last trip to the College National Finals. Two months later I was back to the greatest sport on earth, entering rodeos! In 2016 I was elected President of the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association, this job helps to fill my passion for rodeo. The KPRA is experiencing tremendous growth, from membership to new rodeos. Our Association covers 6 states and we have over 100 1st approved or co-approved rodeos. Rodeo is in a great place right now, and I want to help show the world our great values and respect for our western lifestyle.