Photo courtesy of Miss Rodeo Iowa.

A WACO Elementary student has been crowned Miss Junior Rodeo Iowa.

Twelve-year-old Zoey Dennler of Crawfordsville won the title at the Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison last September and had her coronation January 9. This year Dennler will travel around the state promoting the sport of professional rodeo, animal welfare, agriculture, and the “western lifestyle”. While competing for the Miss Junior Rodeo Iowa title Dennler had to prepare a two-minute speech and answer a series of questions, “They asked me, my horse Cash is out there, and they asked me, ‘If he could say anything what do you think he would say?’ And I said, ‘Could you give me a break from all the shows?’”

Dennler is active in many extracurricular activities including dance, sports, 4-H, and the Lake Darling Saddle Club. A volunteer at PAWS and More Animal Shelter, Dennler plans to continue to work and care for animals throughout her life.