SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT REBEL SJEKLOCHA

Rebel Sjeklocha, Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2023, comes from the valleys of Hayes Center. In 2018, Rebel graduated from Maywood High School. Her childhood with her mother as a veterinarian and growing up on a small cattle ranch influenced her love of horse shows, rodeos, and agriculture.

She discovered her passion for agricultural communications through FFA by participating in the Ag Communications Competition. Touring the Agricultural Communications department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the Nebraska Agriculture Youth Institute (NAYI) during her junior year of high school further fueled her passion.

Studying Agricultural Communications at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL), Rebel was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority, the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, the Husker Equestrian Team, and the CASNR Advisory Board. Rebel was able to graduate from college debt-free thanks to numerous scholarships. “I consider education to be a gift, and I am grateful that I was awarded numerous scholarships to truly experience college at UNL,” said Sjeklocha.

Rebel had no prior rodeo experience but discovered rodeo at the age of eight when she met Miss Rodeo Nebraska. Miss Rodeo’s attractive personality, as well as her confidence and poise, captivated her. It wasn’t until she was older that she grasped what Miss Rodeo stood for. Rebel has dreamed of becoming Miss Rodeo Nebraska since that day. Today, Rebel travels thousands of miles, sharing and educating about Nebraska agriculture and the Professional Cowboys Association.

Rebel utilizes the platform Breaking the Barrier to promote agriculture and Nebraska. Rebel talks with a diverse audience of young people from urban to rural areas about rodeo rules, agriculture, personal brand training, and media. Rebel encourages others to dream big. Rebel contributes much of her rodeo success to mentors who were willing to teach her their craft. Next steps for Rebel after competing for Miss Rodeo America in Las Vegas, Nevada are plans to either join the job force or attend Law School.