First Great Northern Rodeo queen crowned at fair

Havre Daily News/Nikki Carlson

Katie Brurud, 18, was crowned as the 2012 Miss Great Northern Rodeo queen Thursday.

While the rodeo has been a major part of the Great Northern Fair for decades, this year there's a change in leadership.

As of Thursday at noon, Katie Brurud was named the first annual Miss Great Northern Rodeo Queen.

"It's pretty awesome, " Brurud said. "It was really a lot of work, but it's been a lot of fun so far. "

For a shot at the title, Brurud had to pass three tests: an interview, a speech and a demonstration of her horsemanship skills.

Though her family does not have much...