CSC student crowned as Miss Rodeo Nebraska

Chadron State College student Laramie Schichtemeier, 22, senior of Ogallala, achieved a big dream of hers in the June Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2017 pageant in North Platte.

The Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant was June 12-15 in conjunction with NEBRASKAland Days.  Contestants have the opportunity to win scholarship money and prizes such as a saddle, buckle, tiara, jewelry, tack and photography sessions, according to nebraskalanddays.com.

As winner, Schichtemeier will be the state’s representative in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas. She will spend 2017 traveling throughout the U.S. representing the pageant, her state, and the sport of rodeo. Her coronation takes place in January 2017, where she will officially take over as Miss Rodeo Nebraska from last year’s winner, Emily Taylor.

“Winning this title meant so much to me as I have been working for this since I was 5 years old,” Schichtemeier said.

Schichtemeier described the rush of emotion she felt as the judges kept calling her name for categories she had won. As she won more, she felt like she actually had a shot at winning this title.

Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2017 is Schlichtemeier’s third rodeo title. Previously, she was 2012 Old West Trail Rodeo Queen and 2014 Ogallala Round Up Rodeo Queen.

“It was a pretty tight competition all week, so going into the coronation, I honestly didn’t know who was going to win,” Schlichtemeier said.

Schichtemeier is majoring in business administration with an option in agribusiness. She will graduate in December 2016.

“Some advice that I would give to anyone, not just those pursuing rodeo queen titles, would be to never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something,” Schichtemeier said. “When I told people that I was running for Miss Rodeo Nebraska, many people laughed at me and told me that I would never win due to being overweight and a lack of beauty. I never let that discourage me from chasing my dreams. Instead, I worked harder. I lost 75 pounds going into the competition and spent numerous hours studying anything that the judges could ask me. Set a goal for yourself, and work hard to achieve it!”