A local girl is celebrating a very special accomplishment after earning the title of Miss Rodeo Wisconsin Sweetheart during the St. Croix Valley PRCA Rodeo in Glenwood City.
Israella (Ryea) Witt, 8, competed alongside five other young ladies from across Wisconsin for the Sweetheart title. The Miss Rodeo Wisconsin Sweetheart competition is a state-level title open to girls ages 5–10 who have a passion for rodeo, horses and representing the sport.
The competition began Thursday when the Sweetheart contestants arrived in Glenwood City for three days of activities, events and competition. Throughout the weekend, the young contestants were evaluated in a variety of areas designed to showcase their knowledge, confidence, personality and horsemanship.
The weekend included a judge’s luncheon, one-on-one interviews with a panel of three judges, sponsorship events and two performances of the St. Croix Valley PRCA Rodeo. Contestants also had the opportunity to participate in an optional horsemanship video competition, where they learned and executed a specific pattern on horseback. When asked during her media interview what she was looking forward to most about the weekend she said “Receiving her crown and sash and showing other girls they can be sweethearts too!”
The rodeo performances provided another opportunity for the contestants to become involved in the community. Before the main rodeo each evening, the young ladies helped with children’s activities, and after the performances they participated in autograph signings with rodeo fans.
One of the highlights for Israella was participating in the fashion show. As part of the event, she delivered a two-minute memorized speech before an audience and then answered two impromptu questions on stage.
After three days of competition, Ryea was crowned Miss Rodeo Wisconsin Sweetheart during the coronation ceremony. Each of the six young contestants earned the title. She received her crown and sash and will now spend the next year representing the title at parades, community events and rodeos throughout Wisconsin.
The weekend also saw the crowning of a new Miss Rodeo Wisconsin. Ava Johnson of Weyauwega, Wisconsin, was named Miss Rodeo Wisconsin’s Lady in Waiting. The current Miss Rodeo Wisconsin, Shannon Sachs, will complete her reign by traveling to Las Vegas to attend the National Finals Rodeo and then competing in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in December.
Rodeo Royalty from Stanley were also on hand throughout the weekend. Evalynn Williams, this year’s Stanley Rodeo Queen, and Ashlee Hamm, Stanley Rodeo Princess, attended as visiting royalty. Their duties included participating in the pre-show fly-by, carrying sponsorship flags during the rodeo performances and signing autographs for fans.
For Ryea, the weekend marked the beginning of a year filled with new experiences, travel and opportunities to represent Wisconsin’s rodeo community. From the competition arena to community events across the state, Ryea will proudly wear her crown and sash as Miss Rodeo Wisconsin Sweetheart, bringing a little piece of local pride wherever her rodeo journey takes her.