Kirt Manion
kmanion@cherryroad.com

This year’s Sidney Iowa Rodeo Queen, Lauren Jaschke of Slater, Iowa, finds inspiration in interacting with youth and looks forward to a career in agriculture and agriculture education while continuing to drive forward with her rodeo ambitions.

Jaschke began her rodeo involvement in her late teens as a barrel racer. She has competed around Iowa and the Midwest and is currently a member of the Iowa State rodeo team.

In terms of queen titles, the Sidney Iowa Rodeo Queen is Lauren’s second title. She also served as the 2023 Miss Cyclone Stampede.

Out in the rodeo arena, Jaschke said she enjoys surprising rodeo fans with her horse’s ability in the barrel race.

“I barrel race on a little Paint mare,” said Jaschke. “Something about Paints is they’re not supposed to be fast. She is actually Western Pleasure bred, which is about as slow as you can go, and the reactions of everybody when she comes in and we run a clean pattern is so much fun.”

Jaschke said she likes meeting kids and talking to them about her horse, everything from how she cares for the horse to the proper way to pet the horse.

“Seeing their faces light up at getting to pet the horse and meet me, it’s just an amazing experience. I hope it pushes them to pursue their dreams as well.

“I coach a lot of 4-H’ers and I am involved in our county fair back home. Being able to coach those kids to their first buckle or their first ribbon and see them light up is everything I wish I had when I was little. It just makes me so happy to see them pursing their dreams and passions at a young age,” said Jaschke.

As for her own aspirations, Jaschke holds a bachelor’s degree and is seeking a master’s degree in sustainable ag and agronomy at Iowa State University.

She hopes to continue her barrel racing career and advocate for the sport of rodeo while seeking a career where she can work with farmers and do extension work.

She hopes to continue to compete in rodeo queen contests as well with the goal of attaining the title of Miss Rodeo Iowa and competing at the national level.

Jolene Westercamp from the Southeast Iowa community of Farmington is this year’s Miss Rodeo Iowa.

The requirement for Miss Rodeo Iowa is to travel to rodeos throughout Iowa and across the country. She has been to Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, Missouri and more promoting the Western Lifestyle, the State of Iowa, agriculture and the professional sport of rodeo.

She will round out the year by competing at the Miss Rodeo America pageant held in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo this December in Las Vegas.

Addison Dow, a soon-to-be high school senior at Clarinda High School, is this year’s Iowa High School Rodeo Queen.

Although still in high school, a significant portion of Dow’s academic pursuits have already turned in the direction of college credit as she will be graduating high school with an associate’s degree. Although it’s a tough choice to pick one subject, Dow said agriculture class would be her favorite.

She got involved with Iowa High School and Junior High School Rodeo Associations for five years.

This is Dow’s first queen title, and she said she hopes to be involved in queen contests in the future. She said she would like to compete in rodeos after high school with college aspirations and beyond.