Sam Stanke, Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show

Generations of North Dakota born ranchers and farmers has made Sam Stanke, Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show 2010, a true cowgirl. 
On March 7, 2009, at the North Dakota Winter Show PRCA Rodeo in Valley City, Sam earned the privilege of representing rodeo and the North Dakota Winter Show as Miss Rodeo NDWS 2009.  Her hard working cowgirl spirit paid off when she captured the categories of Horsemanship, Appearance, Personality and Speech.  She is both honored and blessed to continue this adventure as the 2010 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show.
A proud North Dakotan, Sam is the 21 year old daughter of Greg and Shannan Stanke.  She lives with her family on their horse farm right outside West Fargo.  The oldest of 3 girls, Sam and her sisters grew up spending their summers competing at local horse shows and rodeos. 
Sam’s love for horses, their physiology, and sports performance, is leading Sam in her career as she pursues her certification in Equine Massage.  Sam is a private riding instructor and is also employed by RCC Western Stores. 
A 2007 graduate of Central Cass High School, Sam is a member of the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame, is a past President of the Cass County Cowboys 4H club,  is a long time member of the FM Mounted Posse and has competed in the National Barrel Horse Association.  She is a member of the WSCA and a junior member of the Miss Rodeo America Association.
Sam is a previous FM Mounted Posse Queen, Miss Rodeo Hankinson Sand Hills Saddle Club, Miss Rodeo Ransom County Fair, and she was the 1st Runner Up at the 2009 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Pageant, where she also was given the Photogenic Award.
Aside from her many horse and rodeo related activities, Sam volunteers as a dance instructor and enjoys cooking, dance, designing her own western clothing and especially her Sundays spent with family and friends.
As Miss Rodeo NDWS 2010 she plans to represent and share those values while promoting rodeo and the North Dakota Winter Show at various PRCA Rodeos and Bull-A-Ramas around the state. She is looking forward to the months ahead with anticipation, as she prepares to represent the North Dakota Winter Show at the Miss Rodeo North Dakota pageant this fall in Minot at the Badland Circuit Finals.
Rodeo and horses have been an influential part of Sam’s life and she believes that rodeo represents the standards by which she holds dear to her heart.  She says:
“I love how rodeo keeps our Old West traditions alive.  It is a true American sport that celebrates family values, faith and patriotism.  I have experienced from an early age that rodeo teaches responsibility and builds family traditions.”