2025 Pageant Results

2025 MRK Pageant Results

Miss Rodeo Kansas 2025
Photogenic
Written Test
Appearance
Personality

1st Runner up
Speech
Horsemanship

Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas 2025
Appearance
Horsemanship

1st Runner up
Photogenic
Written Test
Speech
Personality

2025 MRK Queen Contestants

Shelby Ney - Russell, KS

Shelby Ney is the 22-year-old daughter of Merl and Brandy Ney. Shelby is currently a student at Fort Hays State University and will graduate from FHSU this December with her bachelor’s degree in biology. She was raised on her family's Angus ranch just south of Russell, KS. When she is not helping on her family’s ranch you can find Shelby traveling the state competing in either breakaway, team roping or barrels. Shelby is a 5th ranch has been in the heart of Kansas since 1864. After completing her degree through FHSU she is going to begin her master’s degree through OSU as an online student in the spring of 2025. Being a true Kansan she is super excited to see where the wind will take her next!

Kaitlyn Peters - Lakin, KS

Agriculture has always been an integral part of Kaitlyn Peters and her home, Lakin, Kansas. The eldest daughter of Alan and Emmy Andra Peters, and granddaughter of Tom and Connie Wright IV is continuing in her family’s heritage by pursuing a bachelor's degree in Agronomy: Range Management and a certificate in Equine Science at Kansas State University. During her time at school, Kaitlyn has competed regionally and nationally in Soils Judging, was awarded the 2024 KSU Little American Royal Reserve Horse Showmanship Champion title, has Rodeo Club for the 2024-25 academic year, a member of the Wheat State Agronomy Club, served as a House Manager at Alpha of Clovia 4-H Cooperative Leadership House, served as the People Pleaser’s Charity Livestock Classic Chair, competed in livestock judging contests with Lakin FFA, and showed horses, beef cattle, goats and rabbits in Kearny County 4-H and local show circuits in Southwest Kansas. After graduation, Kaitlyn is determined to become a Certified Professional in Range Management as well as a Certified Rangeland Management Consultant.

Charity Pulliam - Arkansas City, Ks

Charity Rose Pulliam of Arkansas City, Kansas is the 24-year-old daughter of Kevan Pulliam and Yvonne and Aubrie Tarr. She is a 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, she was a member of the cow horse judging team and the Oklahoma State Paddle People. Charity plans to pursue an MSJ through the University of Kansas. She currently works as a rodeo and western lifestyle journalist for Rodeo Life Media and is working to obtain her PRCA Music Director card.

Rebecca Thornton - Hepler, KS

Rebecca Shea Thornton is the 24 year old daughter of Angela Reed and Ryan
Strait. Originally from Concordia, Kansas, she has since made the tiny town of
Hepler her home. Her Rodeo Queen journey started when she won the title of
NCK Saddle Club Queen in 2018. She then went on to win the titles of Miss
Rodeo Junction City 2019 and Miss CPRA 2024.

When she isn’t working or in school, Rebecca enjoys reading books, spending
time with her animals and creating custom bead and leatherwork items. She
found a love of beading while spending more time at home and it has since
blossomed into a passionate business opening new doors for creativity.

Rebecca has two associates degrees, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s
Degree in Marketing. After completing her education, she will seek a career in
the western fashion industry.

Being someone who doesn’t come from a rodeo background was a challenge,
until she realized that this is an excellent way to reach new people and
immerse them in the rodeo world and agriculture industries. Experiences like
being able to join FFA in high school, to carrying flags at the International
Finals Rodeo and being a member of the Pivot Team during
RODEOHOUSTON has created some fond memories and fostered
relationships that she knows she can carry with her throughout her life.

Her Faith is second to none in her life. Through the trials that she has endured,
she credits all of her success to her Heavenly Father, and will tell anyone that
she would not be able to live this life or chase this dream if it wasn’t for His will
and blessings.

If there is anything that Rebecca would tell people, it is to “be a light.” The
verses of Matthew 5:14-16 go on to say that “you are the light of the world. A
city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it
under a basket, but on the lampstand., and it gives light to all who are in the
house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see
your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” She truly believes that the
world needs to see the good you do, not by the words you use, but by the
actions you choose.

2025 MTRK Contestant

Maggie Hood - Chanute, KS

Maggie Hood is the daughter of Victor and Janalin Hood of Chanute KS. She competitively breakaway ropes with the Kansas High School Rodeo Association, and likes to spend every spare moment in the practice pen. She is the proud owner behind The Painted Pony Photography, where she hopes to preserve the traditional artistic style of the cowboy way of life. Maggie has a God-lit fire to promote the western lifestyle and rich rodeo heritage of those who come before her. In the future Maggie plans on attend Fort Scott Community College to obtain a marketing degree while she college rodeos.

Sarah Nemechek - Goodland, KS

Sarah Nemechek is the 17-year-old daughter of Penny and Jerry Nemechek. She is from Goodland, Kansas where she will attend Goodland Junior Senior High as a senior in the fall. She enjoys spending time playing with her dogs, weightlifting, and playing sports. Sarah plans to attend Kansas State University Majoring in animal science. After finishing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to attend vet school and return to a rural area to help aid in the shortage of veterinarians.

Tessa Watchous - Newton, KS

Tessa Watchous is the 15-year-old daughter of Klee and Jennifer Watchous of Newton, KS. Tessa’s interest in animals began at a very early age. She has exhibited horses, cattle, swine, and rabbits. Tessa is a four time Run For A Million qualifier. She competes in NRHA shows across the United States. Tessa is homeschooled and enjoys the flexible schedule it affords so that she is able to achieve her performance horse goals. When she is not on the back of a horse, she enjoys baking, making jewelry, singing, and spending time with her family.

2025 MRK Pageant Judges

Mikayla DeMott

Mikhayla DeMott currently lives in Bosque Farms, New Mexico. She works for The Equine Network as the supervisor for the World Series of Team Roping and United States Team Roping Championships office in Albuquerque. She received her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism from Kansas State University while competing on the college rodeo team. In her spare time, she enjoys working with her barrel racing prospect, traveling to visit friends and family, and working as a team roping secretary on the weekends. Mikhayla was Miss Rodeo Kansas 2018 and placed in the top ten at the 2019 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. She would like to wish each contestant the best of luck!

Melissa Heaton

Melissa Heaton is from Alva, Oklahoma and has been involved with rodeo and rodeo queens for the past 30 years. She owns and operates her family’s 6th generation farming and ranching operation in Oklahoma. She has been a member of the Oklahoma Rodeo Pageants Council (ORPC) for 18 years and has served as President and National Director for 15 of those years. In the years she worked as national director, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma has placed in the top 10 or top 5, 85% of the time. Her daughter, Lauren earned the title of Miss Rodeo America in 2015. In addition to her volunteer work with the ORPC, she teaches Sunday School and is a charter member of the Annie Oakley Society at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, working in her yard, with her horses and cattle, and traveling.

Dr. R.C. Trotter

Roger C. “R.C.” Trotter was born at Dodge City in 1947. He grew up in small towns around Kansas with admiration for livestock. Trotter attended Sterling College playing football and running track, then marrying Mary Creswell in 1969. Graduating from the Kansas University School of Pharmacy in 1971, Trotter earned his doctor’s degree from the KU Medical School in 1974. Starting his practice at Minneola, Dr. Trotter moved to Dodge City in 1982. Being trained in sports medicine, “Doc” saw the need for a physician at the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. Eventually the rodeo committee constructed a medical building behind the grandstands where Trotter served 20 years as a physician. A community leader, Trotter was vice-president of the committee before accepting reins and continuing to serve as president for 20 years until his recent retirement in 2023. Under Trotter’s leadership, the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo has grown in contestant numbers and payback with many arena improvements. The rodeo has been inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and named the “Best North American Rodeo” by USA Today newspaper. Trotter founded the Kansas Association of Rodeo Committees, received the Kansas Tourism Association’s Kansas Finest Award and was inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame where his picture will be displayed in the Boot Hill Museum forever. When Doc is not busy running his own family medical practice, he and his wife Mary enjoy spending time with their three children, 8 grandchildren and enjoy sailing and scuba diving in the Caribbean.