Rodeo fans across the state will be tipping their hats to ISU senior Brenda Stewart, the new Iowa Miss Rodeo Queen. Stewart said she has fantasized about being in the rodeo public eye since she was a little girl. Her dreams became reality last weekend when she was crowned the 2001 Rodeo Queen at the Dayton Rodeo. “The first time I met the rodeo queen, she was so sweet and intelligent. I knew right then I wanted to be her,” said Stewart, senior in agricultural education and agricultural extension. “I wanted to make a positive influence out there, just like many have done before me.” Six girls competed in the two-day competition. Judging was based on modeling, speech, horsemanship, personal interviews, a written test and basic rodeo and horse knowledge, Stewart said. She entered the contest two and half weeks prior to the competition, so she spent most of her time brushing up on horseback riding skills, getting to know rodeo terms and reading the official rodeo rule book. “I’m good at impromptu speaking, so I didn’t have my speech prepared before I went,” she said. “One part of the division wasn’t harder than another. It’s all equally challenging, since you never know what they are going to ask you. I just went in to have fun.” Connie Stewart, Brenda’s mother, said she is thrilled with her daughter’s new achievement. “It was really an enjoyable shock,” Connie said about the title. “She was really excited.” Stewart said she was surprised when her name was called. “My first reaction was, `Wow, I can’t believe I won.’ Then it hit me once they brought out the trailer, the saddle, the buckle, everything,” said Stewart, who received about $8,000 in prizes, including a two-horse trailer. Stewart originally is from Milton where her family owns a small quarter horse herd and 150 cattle. Brenda’s mother, father and brother have all been active in the horse spectrum. Larry, Stewart’s brother, was a bullfighter at South Dakota State University and also was a rodeo clown and bull rider. “My brother got me involved in rodeo,” she said. “He was the one that really got me hooked.” With her new crown, Stewart said she will have many opportunities to influence individuals. She will make appearances at elementary schools, senior citizen homes, media events and various rodeos. “I’ll be busy traveling, going from rodeo to rodeo, talking to children and different organizations,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know more people and being a role model for kids, especially in today’s society.” Stewart said she will compete for the queen title in the Pro-Rodeo Association Miss Rodeo USA in January 2002 in Oklahoma.