Elmira High School senior Katie Kilcullen recently was crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon for 2025.
She competed for the crown in August against four other competitors during a four-day pageant in Canby, which included delivering a speech — her topic was the importance of diversity — answering impromptu questions and giving mock media interviews. The competition also included judging on appearance, horsemanship patterns in the arena, a written test on rodeo and equine knowledge, and personal interviews with the judges.
Kilcullen received $1,800 in college scholarships as well as other awards, such as a saddle and a luggage set, for her accomplishments during the event.
Kilcullen has already made a name for herself locally as the reigning Miss Philomath Frolic & Rodeo Queen, but her term will end on Dec. 31. At the start of the new year, the rodeo queen will begin her reign as Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon.
In that role, she will attend events all over Oregon, including parades and rodeos. She also will make school visits and give radio interviews.
Rodeos can touch hearts, but Kilcullen said that sometimes there are misconceptions about rodeo queens.
“People tend to think there is just a pretty face in the arena and that they can’t really ride, and I know that because I thought like that once, but now that I’m in the industry I know they are so much more,” the rodeo queen told Falcon News.
Participating in rodeo is challenging, and Kilcullen said riders can experience injuries.
“Surprisingly, I’ve never broken a bone with my equestrian events, but the worst injury probably would have to be a couple years ago I got bucked off and my hip bone went like up in the socket and I couldn’t walk,” she said. “I was alone and my phone was on the other side of the arena, so I had to crawl.”
Animals especially have a special place in the riders’ hearts. Kilcullen said she has a special connection with her horse. She named him Seven “because seven is my favorite number.”
Kilcullen said rodeos are a big team effort and a lot of fun.
“I would explain rodeos as a sport in which both human capabilities and animal capabilities are one,” she said. “Animals such as horses and bulls work together to compete in different events and it’s wonderful, and people can get together and go to the rodeo to support cowboys and cowgirls.”
She said there have been a lot of people who have supported her, but her mom has had an especially important role.
“I’ve had a lot of people in my corner that have supported me and got me where I am today, but my No. 1 supporter would be my mom because since I’m under the age of 18 I can’t go to rodeos by myself, so she goes to all of them with me and makes sure we have dinner and fuel to get us down the road,” Kilcullen said.
She said she won’t be able to compete for another title in 2025 because rules don’t allow it, but that she hopes at some point to compete for Miss Rodeo Oregon.
Right now, she’s busy preparing for her Feb. 8 coronation, a major fundraiser for her 2025 reign.
“It’s a celebration of me earning the title,” she said. “It officiates the passing down of the crown.”
Businesses, community groups and others are welcome to contribute auction items, food and drinks. Tickets to the coronation will be available for purchase. Anyone interested in helping with the event can reach Kilcullen at katiekrodeo@gmail.com.
