3 compete for Great Northern Rodeo Queen

Great Northern Rodeo Queen Pageant will be held Thursday in conunction with the Great Northern Fair.

The selection and crowning will take place just before the Junior Rodeo at 5 p.m.

Candidates will be judged on four main categories;

• Horsemanship

• Appearance

• Personality

• Knowledge

These categories consist of events including a 2 1/2-minute prepared speech on "An aspect of Montana," impromptu questions, personal interview, two horsemanship patterns, a flag run and a written test.

The winner will promote the Great Northern Rodeo, rodeos across Montana and agriculture. 

The current Miss Great Northern Rodeo is Katie Brurud of Havre, the 19-year-old daughter of Tim and Susan Brurud. 

Queen contestants will each receive an embroidered pull-over donated by Mid-State Signs of Winifred. 

The queen prize package includes:

  • Montana Silversmith trophy buckle sponsored by Norman's Ranch & Sportswear of Havre

  • Montana Silversmith crown sponsored by Milk River Co-op of Rudyard

  • Embroidered jacket sponsored by Susan Brurud of Havre

  • Bouquet of flowers sponsored by Angie's Wild Flowers

•  Rodeo Queen banner sponsored by the Great Northern Rodeo Committee

  • Photography session and an 11-by-14 print sponsored by Helmbrecht Photography

  • $1,000 scholarship if the winner attends Montana State University-Northern 

Sponsors of category winners include Mid-State Signs of Winifred, Susan Brurud and the Great Northern Rodeo Committee. 

The contestants are:

• Shelby Scheresky O’Neil, 19, of Havre

Shelby is the daughter of Jayce and Lisa O’Neil of Havre. She has three younger sisters, Sheridan, Sydney and Saige. She obtained her education through St. Jude Thaddeus School and the Havre Public School System. She is a sophomore at Northern where she is studying pre-nursing.

She has actively participated in cross country, soccer, swimming and track. She was a member of the Hill County 4-H for 10 years and was the 4-H queen in 2010.

She was also a Hill Country Ambassador for 2011-2013. Shelby is sponsored by Mark Peterson, Aaron and Linda Boehm, Sunny Slope Ranch, Shooting Star Gymnastics, Bear Paw Vet and McDonalds. 

• Neya Bischoff, 18, of Havre

  Neya is the daughter of David and Gena Bischoff.  She graduated from Havre High School in May 2013 and is preparing to attend University of Montana-Western in August 2013. She is an athlete and a student who plays basketball and enjoys horsemanship and horses. Neya plans to be a math teacher and a basketball coach and continue helping kids with their horses. Neya is sponsored by Performance One 

• Laramie Pursley, 21, of Chinook

Laramie is the daughter of Wade Pursley and Nancy Pursley from the Chinook area. An MSU-Northern student majoring in agriculture operations technology, Laramie successfully started a Collegiate Stockgrowers Club at Northern to promote Montana ranching and to give students a voice in the Montana Legislature. Laramie, an honor student, also participated on the Quiz Bowl team for the Post-Secondary Ag Students National Convention. She is active in Bible studies, barrel racing and rodeos, helping on the farm/ranch, gardening and summer classes. In the future, Laramie plans to work in a field of agriculture in Montana. Laramie is sponsored by Pursley Hay Hauling and Land Leveling. 

The contest directors are Jourdon Wichman and Jaye Dee Han.

Haylee Anderson, Laine Jorgensen and Bridjour Han will judge the contest.