SIKESTON WOMAN, MISS RODEO MISSOURI, SETS SIGHTS ON NATIONAL TITLE IN LAS VEGAS

SIKESTON -- As a child, Julie Stoner rode quarter horses on her family's farm near Sikeston.

In December, she will take her love of quarter horses and her Miss Rodeo Missouri title to the Miss Rodeo America pageant in Las Vegas.

She will compete with 31 women in the eight-day contest that includes horsemanship, a speech, an interview and modeling.

Instead of an evening gown competition, the pageant contestants model leather outfits. Stoner will wear 10 different outfits during the eight days.

Stoner first decided to compete in the annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Miss Rodeo Pageant, which combined horsemanship, modeling and speaking.

In her first year, she was the first runner-up. The next year she won.

In April, she won the Miss Rodeo Missouri pageant.

Since earning the title, Stoner has made personal appearances at rodeos, fairs and other events in Missouri and in other states.

Stoner is a student in animal health technology at Murray State University in Kentucky.

The entrance fee to the national pageant is paid for, but the actual cost of competing, including the clothing she needs, is equal to two years of college.

She hopes to raise money to help defray the cost.

Those interested in making a donation can mail checks to Julie Stoner, 725 Northwest St., Sikeston, Mo. 63801.