Rodeo Queen Promotes Responsibility to Next Generation

She held the children's attention like fine jewels. In turn, they submitted their attention as the queen entered the room. Their gasps in excitement could be heard throughout the room as Cheyenne County Rodeo Queen Carissa Radtke was the guest speaker for a group of primary students in Chadron recently.

Radtke is nearing the end of her second term as queen. She was first elected in 2017. Then was asked to serve a second term because there were no contestants. She is a Sidney High School graduate and a freshman at Chadron State College.

Radtke's presentation in Chadron was on responsibility. Her talk included a PowerPoint on her duties as queen.

"I talked about what I have to do as a queen," she said Wednesday afternoon, "the responsibilities as a queen."

She said her responsibilities include making sure her hat and crown are kept in good shape, taking care of her horse, arriving at events on time, and, in her words the easiest task, be respectful. She said in addition, the rodeo queen has to be aware of what is going on in the arena, respectful of other riders and animals.

"You don't want to cause an accident," she said.

The role of rodeo queen offers many learning experiences, and opportunities to meet people she might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit. She has been the guest at many local organizations and business meetings.

"I've learned a lot. I've made a lot of friends," she said.

She likes working with children. It kind of comes natural with her mother a daycare provider. Her goal is to be a radiologist.

Her path to county rodeo queen started when she was asked to compete. She says she was nervous at first. In her time as rodeo queen, she has learned a lot about people, about rodeos and about taking care of horses.

"I learned how to do things better," she said.

She said she learned how to warm up the horse better, how to prepare for unexpected weather, taking care of herself, the queen's hat and saddle.

"These queens go through a lot to make the hat stay on," said Jennifer Powell.

Powell is the Cheyenne County Fair Queen Manager.

Radtke will be surrendering her crown to the incoming queen in just a few months. She stressed it is an honor to serve as the rodeo queen.

"I feel honored to represent the county," she said.