The Miss Rodeo Wyoming crowns have ranged from leather to jade since the origin of the title. In 1971, the first traveling crown was awarded to Lael Wilhelm Good of Wheatland. The crown had three leaf-like tears that consisted of rhinestones and 45 stones of jade that were inlaid in a gold base similar to the current crown. Linda Sheehan Engle and the Douglas Sorority helped initiate the idea for the beautiful jade crown, and Linda also helped in the designing of it. During the original 25 years (1971-1996) of the first traveling crown, only one other crown had been substituted. In 1988 Lisa Turner Murphy and in 1989 Jane Scott Chambers wore a replica version in which each of the three tears was solid jade. Due to the weight and massive headaches it caused, that crown was retired after only one year of use. A new crown was made in 1996 by Dina Inc. of Johnston, RI. In 2002 the Wyoming bucking horse and the name “Wyoming” was incorporated into the base of the crown.
The Wyoming crown is symbolic with jade, Wyoming’s state stone. The first traveling Miss Rodeo Wyoming crown was the oldest crown worn by a state queen throughout the United States. The crown has fulfilled the dream of many starry-eyed young girls who have grown into beautiful ladies in just one year under its spell. It has warmed the hearts and touched the souls of many.
– Rachel Derner, Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2020-2021
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