August 22, 2022- Douglas, WY- The Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association (MRWA) is pleased to announce that Reata Cook, Miss Sheridan WYO Rodeo, has been named Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2023 during Thursday night’s rodeo at the Wyoming State Fair. She is the fourth Miss Sheridan WYO Rodeo to hold the Miss Rodeo Wyoming title. On hand to present Cook with the jade and gold crown was Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2022, Madelaine McElwee. Cook was joined by two other contestants during the Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2023 Pageant, Jordan Lutz, Miss Historic Rodeo Jackson Hole, and Alexis Wheeler, Miss Laramie Jubilee.
The three contestants were judged in various categories by a panel of three qualified judges, Jodie Witt, Marvin Witt and Lauren Heaton. Personality, Appearance and Horsemanship scores are weighed equally in the selection of Miss Rodeo Wyoming. The MRWA would like to thank the sponsors of the awards and congratulate the winners:
Social Media/ Promotional Video (sponsored by Guy Warpness and Zoe Curtright)- Reata Cook
Knowledge Award (sponsored by 5 Rivers Arean in Memory of Hope Starwalt)- Jordan Lutz
Miss Congeniality (sponsored by Ethan and Erin Kyle)- Reata Cook
Scrapbook Award (sponsored by Jeremy and Ashely Baker)- Alexis Wheeler
Photogenic Award (sponsored by Jenkins Creek Ranch- Carolyn Durand)- Reata Cook
Speech Award (sponsored by Linda Baker)- Reata Cook
Personality Award (sponsored by Gwen Hansen)- Reata Cook
Appearance Award (sponsored by WyoTech)- Jordan Lutz
Horsemanship Award (sponsored by Larry and Chris Bently)- Reata Cook
2nd Runner Up (sponsored by Ann Palomba and Jamie Cobb)- Alexis Wheeler
1st Runner Up (sponsored by Cody and Crystal Myers)- Jordan Lutz
Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2023- Reata Cook
Lutz will receive a $500 scholarship from the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Foundation as 1st Runner Up. As Miss Rodeo
Wyoming 2023, Cook will receive various award items:
Saddle (sponsored by and present by Wyoming State Fair, Doug Miyamoto and Courtny Conkle)
Custom Montana Silversmith Spurs (sponsored by Doulgas Hardware, Larry and Diana Leake)
Trophy Belt Buckle (sponsored by Wyoming State Fair)
Briefcase and Purse (sponsored by Purely by Chance- Andy and Sue Heffron)
Custom Chaps and Two Pairs of Traveling Chaps (sponsored by Tim Bath)
Hat Cans (sponsored by Guy Warpness and Zoe Curtright)
Miss Rodeo Wyoming Pendent (sponsored by Jim and Shelley Causey)
Miss Rodeo Wyoming Banners (sponsored by Wyoming State Fair)
$2,000 Scholarship from the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Foundation
“Pageant was a success,” said Ann Palomba, President of the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association. “We are excited for the upcoming year working with Reata and are grateful for the wonderful representation this year from Madelaine.”
Cook, was blessed to grow up living every cowgirl’s dream; on a cattle ranch with an abundance of hard work, family fun, and a lot of riding. Her proud parents are Jay Cook and Kerri Parr. She is a 2019 graduate of Big Horn High School and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a future goal to obtain her master’s degree. Having diverse athletic interests led her to spend many years on a basketball court, football field, and rodeo arena, whether it was competing in her events or representing her royalty titles. Her college involvement and honors include Campus Ventures, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, National Society of Leadership and Success, President’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List. Cook attributes her many accomplishments to her faith in God, “everything I do, I do for the glory of God.” Her ambition to empower young ladies, inspired her to partner with Joey’s Fly Fishing Foundation, ‘Just For Girls’ program, as part of her platform. She educates and mentors girls on how to feel empowered in the world we live in today through the western values true to Wyoming, while creating unique friendship experiences.
Cook will plan a coronation in Sheridan later this fall and then travel to Las Vegas to support McElwee at the Miss Rodeo America 2023 pageant. She will be securing sponsors and confirming her first few appearances as Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2023 once she officially begins her reign on January 1, 2023. For information on her coronation as well as how to become a sponsor, please visit www.missrodeowyoming.com
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About Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association The Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association was formed in 1977. The objective of the Association is to support, promote and guide the lady who reigns as Miss Rodeo Wyoming. The Association assists Miss Rodeo Wyoming in organizing a coronation benefit held in the hometown of each Miss Rodeo Wyoming to raise funds for her reigning year. A clinic for young ladies interested in rodeo queen competitions is also conducted by the Association. The coronation, clinic, and miscellaneous fund raisers conducted by the Association and sponsorship donations fund travel, wardrobe, and expenses for Miss Rodeo Wyoming. A scholarship fund has been established and each queen is awarded a scholarship upon the completion of her reign.
About Miss Rodeo Wyoming Miss Rodeo Wyoming symbolizes the youth of our state who wish to further promote Agriculture, and the sport of professional rodeo, and in doing so, promotes the great western way of life. Miss Rodeo Wyoming is the ideal, agriculturally oriented American young woman, who embodies professionalism, speaks intelligently, and has integrity, good character, knowledge, and grace. She consistently models and demonstrates these characteristics as she travels extensively across the state of Wyoming as well as across the United States.