One Jefferson-area resident has started her second year reign, as she holds onto the crown for another year.

Brittany Gunn was named Miss Rodeo Iowa in 2019, which is usually a one year reign, but due to the global pandemic, she was able to hold onto that title through to another year. She took over the responsibilities of Miss Rodeo Iowa in January of 2020, but then the pandemic hit in March of that year and she made the choice to continue as Miss Rodeo Iowa for this year. She explains why she wanted to continue to serve as Miss Rodeo Iowa.

“I didn’t want to walk away from this experience and have regrets. I wanted to experience the Iowa rodeos that I was supposed to get to go to that I didn’t get to go to the previous year. This is just a short amount of time in my life, it’s just one more year (and) it’s going to fly by. But I’m just so glad that I decided to continue (as Miss Rodeo Iowa).”

Even though Gunn couldn’t attend rodeos last year, she says she was able to educate people about the sport through social media.

“So I started doing virtual interviews through Zoom with contestants, so the people that actually compete in rodeo and contract personnel. So I got to interview a timer that times the rodeo events. I do interviews with them and post them on my Facebook page.”

Gunn is happy to be traveling to different rodeos across the country this year, with the highlight being the Miss Rodeo America pageant that happens on November 4th-6th.