Selena Ulch captured the coveted crown at the conclusion of a weeklong competition featuring 26 contestants at the 50th Anniversary Miss Rodeo America Pageant, held at The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas. It has been 32 years since a Nevada native has won the title.
The 20-year-old resident of Sparks, NV, will take a year off from her studies at Truckee Meadows Community College to serve the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association across the country. She is expected to travel over 100,000 miles and appear at more than 100 rodeos over the next twelve months.
During her reign, she wants to promote a literacy program for children called "The Black Stallion Literacy Project." It will be implemented through the queen's visits to elementary schools.
Upon completion of her reign, Selena plans to utilize her $10,000 scholarship from the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation to attend dental school and ultimately specialize in Pediatric Orthodontia.
In addition to rodeo, some of Selena's interests include dancing, aerobics, camping, community service, cowboy poetry, drawing, fishing, forestry, gold mining, riding snowmobiles, running, sailing, scrapbooking, target shooting, trail riding and training and showing her American Quarter Horses.
Selena is an all-American beauty with blonde hair and brown eyes. At 5 feet 6 inches in height, she warms the heart with her sparkling eyes and dazzling smile. She is the youngest of seven daughters to parents Scott and Patricia Ulch, also of Sparks, NV.
"When I see old glory make her grand entry . . . I know why I want to be Miss Rodeo America," said Selena prior to winning the national title. "The very spirit of her presence embraces each individual promoting patriotism, family values and pride in the living history of our Western heritage. As Miss Rodeo America, I will ensure the solid foundation rodeo was built upon has a voice of strength, knowledge and dedication."