The annual Nebraskaland Days celebration is off and running. Tons of activities will be place from now until June 22.
Nebraska’s official statewide celebration, which has been held in North Platte since 1968, includes the crowning of the next Miss Rodeo Nebraska.
Four contestants are vying for the crown, including Dakota Clough of Ogallala, Tashonna Frye of Harrisburg, Emily Taylor of Battle Creek, and Gina Jespersen of Hemingford.
Gina is the 23-year-old daughter of Don and Joni Jespersen. She currently attends Black Hills State University majoring in Elementary Education. She hopes to earn her Masters degree and become an elementary teacher in a rural Nebraska community.
Miss Jespersen, a 2008 graduate of Hemingford High School, previously attended South Dakota State University and was a member of SDSU NCAA Division One Equestrian Team and SDSU Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Gina, who began riding horses at the age of five on the family ranch southwest of Hemingford, has been involved in multiple community service activities.
Gina enjoys laughing with her twin brother, dancing, and reading.
Her mission is to aid in the personal growth and success of young children.
Gina began competing in horsemanship as a young 4-Her at the Box Butte County Fair. She went on to compete at the American Quarter Horse World Show in Texas in 2007.
Gina was crowned the 2006 Box Butte County Fair Queen in Hemingford; the 2009 Old West Trails Rodeo Queen in Crawford; the 2011 AK-SAR-BEN River City Rodeo Queen in Omaha; and the 2013 Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo Queen in Rapid City.
“It would be a very exciting title to hold,” she said. “It is a super position to have in promoting rodeo and Nebraska agriculture. The winner in North Platte officially is not officially crowned until January and holds the title during 2014. The winner also goes on to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo America in Las Vegas.
Gina and her horse, Harley, practice about three hours a day, as horsemanship is a huge part of the competition.
Other Miss Rodeo Nebraska contestants profiles;
— Dakota Clough, the 20 year old daughter of Chad and Tania Perlinger and Jim Clough, is from Ogallala, Nebraska. She is currently attending Eastern Wyoming College majoring in Veterinary Science. She also has attended Chadron State College and has been on the Dean’s List at both colleges. She would like to continue her education at Colorado State University to become a large animal vet and eventually open her own clinic. Her special interests include volleyball, tennis, 4-H, and church. Dakota would like to be Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2014 to promote the sport of rodeo and the State of Nebraska. Her goal is to portray a positive role model for little girls in Nebraska.
— Tashonna Frye, 20 years old, calls Harrisburg, Nebraska home. She is the 20 year old daughter of Greg and Jenna Frye. She has attended Western Nebraska Community College. She would like to become a Pampered Chef Director, marry “Mr. Right”, and raise a family on a working cattle ranch. Her activities include piano, guitar, singing, dancing, coloring, spending time with family and friends and horseback riding. She would like to be Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2014 to proudly represent the great sport of rodeo and to speak with young women to encourage them to be self confident. Tashonna’s life mission is to raise awareness concerning abortion and see Roe Vs. Wade overturned.
— Emily Taylor is the 22 year old daughter of Rick and Karen Arkfeld. She hails from Battle Creek, Nebraska. She is currently a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in Agricultural Journalism and Public Relations. Her career goal is to work in Social Media/Public Relations revolving around rodeo and agriculture. She is a member of the UNL Western and English Equestrian Team, and is an assistant 4-H horse leader. She trains horses and gives horse lessons. Emily likes to read, write, do Pinterest activities, attend horse shows and rodeos, and spend time with family and friends. She would like to be Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2014 to fulfill her dream of representing the State of Nebraska, the sport of rodeo and promoting agriculture.
Miss Rodeo Nebraska Teen contestant profiles: (from www.nebraskalanddays.org)
— Robin Ferguson hails from Gordon, Nebraska and is the 15 year old daughter of Robert and Kris Ferguson. She will complete the ninth grade in May at Gordon-Rushville High School. She would like to obtain her bachelors degree and pursue a career in dental hygiene. Her goals are to compete in rodeo and queen contests and one day compete and win the title of Miss Rodeo America. Robin’s interests include riding and training horses, 4-H and FFA public speaking, running, trap shooting, basketball, rodeo, and family. Her goal is to use her power and talents to further her education and excel with her horse. She would like to be Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2013 to educate and inspire rodeo spectators to become life-long fans and to reach out to children to excite them about rodeo and the positive influence it can have on their lives.
— Jennaya Frye is the 16 year old daughter of Greg and Jenna Frye of Harrisburg, Nebraska.
She is currently attending Frye Home School and is a Sophomore. She would like to become a veterinary assistant or diesel mechanic and would like to train roping horses. Her activities include singing and country-western dancing, horses, and wrestling and roping calves at brandings. She also is active in community service. Jennaya’s mission is to bring honor and gratitude to Veterans by making people aware that our freedoms are not free. A goal is to visit and entertain in Veterans Homes. She would like to be Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2013 to share her love for rodeo and the western way of life.
— Riyatta Frye is the 18 year old daughter of Greg and Jenna Frye of Harrisburg, Nebraska.
She is a 2013 high school graduate. She plans to attend college and study agri-business. She would like to ranch and raise quality cattle and purebred quarter horses. Riyatta’s special interests include entertaining at Veteran’s Homes, 4-H horse and dog projects, breaking and training colts, playing guitar and piano, singing and writing songs, country dancing, and family activities. She would like to encourage America’s youth to accept individuality with confidence and learn from their mistakes. She would like to be Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2013 to have more opportunities to promote rodeo across the State.
The Rodeo Queens will be crowned Wednesday, June 12 during the 8 pm Buffalo Bill Rodeo at the Wild West Arena.
Activities leading up to the crowning include horsemanship competition on June 9 @ 2 pm at the Wild West Arena. A BBQ and auction follows at 5:30 pm in the Wild West Arena Pavilion; The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Style Show on June 11 at 5 pm at the Quality Inn; and the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Speech Contest on June 12 at 8 am at the Neville Center.
Other Nebraskaland Days Highlights:
— Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 12, 13, 14, 15 at 8 pm at the Wild West Arena;
— Nebraskaland Days Parade on Sat., June 15 at 1 pm;
— Demolition Derby on June 18 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds;
— US Cellular Summer Jam – Kid Rock with Special Guests Lee Brice and Thomas Rhett on June 21at 8 pm at the Wild West Arena.