Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2026 begins her reign as traveling ambassador

“I like to say that Abraham waited 25 years for God to give him a son. Noah waited 120 years for the flood. I can wait just a few years to be Miss Rodeo North Dakota,” she told Buffalo’s Fire.

Hicks’s successful bid was achieved by ranking high on the pageant’s three main categories: horsemanship, appearance and personality.

“We have to be cowgirls. We have to be able to ride a horse in a reining pattern,” she explained, adding, “We have to have a good personality, a good attitude.”

Held every year since 1954, the pageant is for women between the ages of 21 and 26 and supports their academic and professional development.

Hicks hails from Dunn Center, North Dakota, and was crowned last June. She was a “lady in waiting” until her Jan. 3 coronation and is now ready to spend the year traveling across the country promoting her community as well as the Western lifestyle and economies.

“I’ll travel about 40,000 miles, give or take a few thousand,” said Hicks. “I’ll travel to some big rodeos and stock shows. I get to spend my time traveling and talking about agriculture and teaching people about the Western industry.”

Hicks described the industry as not only rodeo, but raising cattle and horses, farming crops and merchandising products, such as clothes and gear, used by cowboys and cowgirls.

“We all rely on each other to keep our worlds spinning,” said Hicks. “Without one Jenga piece the tower could fall down.”

Hicks said she’s one quarter French-Canadian Chippewa, of the Turtle Mountain Band. She’s not only excited to bring the title of Miss Rodeo North Dakota to the western part of the state, but also to represent the Native community in the role. Audrey Hall — of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation — was deemed the inaugural rodeo queen in 1954. Janet Voight was another MHA citizen who wore the crown in 1986.

“I love the fact that Native American culture has such a heavy influence on the Western industry,” said Hicks, referring to how Native people became skilled at horsemanship after Spanish explorers brought the animals to the Americas in the 1500s. She also pointed out that Native artistry — from long leather frills to turquoise and silver jewelry — have been major influences on rodeo fashion.

While representing the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in the coming year, rodeo royalty have an individual platform to share causes “near and dear to our hearts,” explained Hicks. For her, it’s one she calls Live Limitless.

“It was inspired by my niece,” she continued. Hicks said Kyler — who everyone calls Sissy — was born with Angelman syndrome, a genetic condition that limits her movement, speech and development. “But she is still just the happiest little girl you’ll ever meet, and she never lets anything bring her down or hold her back.”

Hicks said her niece has inspired her to start “exceptional rodeos,” which have modified events so that children with different abilities are able to take part in the rodeo experience. These could include using different rope sizes or roping dummies, which are often used for practice.

Working with young people is a natural fit for Hicks, who’s currently a biology teacher at Kildeer High School, which she attended before graduating in 2020. She told Buffalo’s Fire that she values education and recently graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor of science in animal biomedical science and another in equine science. She ultimately aims to go to veterinary school to become a large animal veterinarian, after she’s done with her yearlong reign as Miss Rodeo North Dakota.

One requirement of a rodeo queen is to be a model representative for the state, demonstrating genuineness and maintaining a smartly dressed and kept presentation. “You don’t want to be sloppy or not have a shirt fitted,” said Hicks.

As for aspiring candidates, Hicks advises them not to be afraid of feedback.

“Take that criticism gracefully and never quit. There were times where I didn’t want to try again or I was embarrassed to have to try three times,” said Hicks. “But after winning, there was no better feeling, and I couldn’t have been happier that I succeeded at my goal.”