Henderson teen crowned Miss Nevada State High School Rodeo Queen

Henderson resident Jennifer Mann may be a beauty queen, but don’t let her looks fool you. The 16-year-old enjoys the outdoors and getting her hands dirty as much as any teenager.

Packed with brains, beauty and brawn, Mann was crowned Miss Nevada State High School Rodeo Queen by the Nevada State High School Rodeo Association June 15 in Ely.

“I’m really grateful that I won, but I was starstruck,” Mann said. “I felt like I couldn’t breathe when they said my name.”

The teen competed against three girls in a variety of pageant categories, including a written test, interview and speech.

“(Mann) has an awesome personality and a good belief in herself,” said Becky Goodwin, pageant director. “Very few queens come from (Southern Nevada), and she gave these northern girls a run for their money.”

Mann proved her love for rodeo by completing a horsemanship pattern in front of a panel of six judges.

“I think because my grandpa had his hand in (riding horses), I felt I needed to do something, too,” she said.

Mann was introduced to riding horses by her grandfather’s colleagues during a camping trip.

“They had a son who did high school rodeo, so I learned to ride,” Mann said. “I started when I was in junior high and fell in love with it.”

Goodwin’s husband, Todd, trains Mann in riding, roping and pole bending about three times a week.

“She was born to ride a horse,” he said. “She’s been riding for about three years, and to come this far this fast is pretty remarkable. She’s a natural at it.”

Rodeo has taught Mann personal and academic responsibility. In order to be part of the rodeo association, Mann has to keep a 3.2 GPA in school and stay out of trouble.

“I like to hang out with friends and have fun, but I don’t like to get in trouble,” she said. “I stay away from all the bad stuff because I know that I would just get everything taken away from me, and I really don’t want that.”

Mann was set to compete at the National High School Rodeo Queen Contest in Rock Springs, Wyo., beginning July 11 against more than 50 contestants from the United States, Canada and Australia.

“I am nervous, but I’m just going to go out there and be myself,” Mann said. “You should always think you’re going to win so you’re more confident and rock it more.”

Goodwin believes Mann has a natural talent for rodeo pageantry despite being in only three events.

“Honestly, I’ve been nagging at her to keep working because I think she’s the first Nevada girl who’s had a chance at winning nationals since 1995,” Goodwin said. “This is only her fourth pageant, but she has a good chance against these girls who have been competing since they were 5.”

At home, Mann prefers to be a tomboy. She enjoys camping, hunting, hiking, sharpshooting and being outdoors.

“I don’t want to always be dressed up with my hair and makeup done,” she said. “I want to be out there having fun, and I’m not afraid to get dirty.”

Mann will be a senior at Foothill High School, 800 College Drive, and plans to attend UNLV for its rodeo team. She hopes to get a degree in biochemistry and transfer to a veterinarian school to specialize in horses.

“Caring for a horse is like caring for a child, and (Mann) has done a great job at it,” Goodwin said. “She’s a hard worker and very bright. I have no doubt that she’d be a good vet, that’s for sure.”

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Contact Henderson View reporter Caitlyn Belcher at cbelcher@viewnews.com or 702-383-0403.