2025 WISCONSIN RIVER PRO RODEO ROYALTY
Annually the WRPR crowns a queen and princess to serve as the WRPR ambassadors.
Mya Pankow, 2025 WRPR Queen
Howdy Y’all,
My name is Mya Pankow and I have had an absolute blast representing the WRPR as your 2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo Queen. I am 18 years old and a recent high school graduate from Wausau Area Virtual Education. I have amazing parents, Chuck and Siri Pankow. As well as 2 younger sisters, Autumn and Aspen, who are incredibly supportive and are always on the rodeo road with me. The rodeo arena and practice pen is where my heart belongs.
Outside of the arena, I have found a love for shoeing and trimming horses. I also love to teach riding lessons and train horses through my business, Ascent Equine. After I graduated high school at semester in January, I went on to attend Five Star Horseshoeing School in Oklahoma for 3 months. I am currently working towards becoming a Certified Farrier(CF) under the American Farriers Association(AFA). I am committed to attending the University of Wisconsin River Falls this coming fall. There, I will major in Animal Science-Equine and minor in Agricultural Business. Additionally, I will be joining the UWRF Rodeo Team, competing in the breakaway roping and the team roping as a heeler. My long term career goals include becoming a Certified Journeyman Farrier through the AFA, specializing in equine lameness and therapeutic horseshoeing.
I swung a leg over a horse for the first time when I was 3 years old, and haven’t gotten off since. For the last 10 years I have competed in barrel racing under the National Barrel Horse Association. I have also been part of National High School Rodeo Association since my freshman year of high school where I am a 5 event cowgirl, and have competed in every event that women are allowed to participate in. Barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, and team roping. I am so incredibly passionate about the equine and rodeo industries. I have truly found my home in this sport. In the people, my equine athletes, and the way of life as a whole. As a first generation rodeo athlete, the rodeo queens that I met at the WRPR when I was little played an enormous part in sparking my drive to pursue rodeo. It makes my heart so happy, and is truly an honor, to see this come full circle and be a rodeo queen myself. As the ambassador of the WRPR, I have worked hard in carrying on the rich traditions and values that the sport of rodeo stands for.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with you all. It has truly been a blessing this past year. From riding in rodeos and parades, to reading books at the library and everything in between. It has been so rewarding. Inspiring and encouraging others, especially youth, to participate in rodeo is so important in carrying on the rodeo legacy and growing the sport. Whether as a spectator, an athlete, or committee member, it has been an honor meeting and working with everyone and representing the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo. I look forward to seeing you all at rodeo time!
Gratefully yours, Mya Pankow 2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo Queen
Madilynn Skic, 2025 WRPR PRINCESS
Hello, my name is Madi Skic, I’m 18 years old and a senior at Merrill High School. My parents are Luke and Michelle Skic, and I have a sister named McKenna.
I’ve been actively involved in Merrill FFA for the last four years as well as the Lincoln County Fair at the Market Animal Show and Sale. I take pride in showing off my steer and heifer across Wisconsin. I’ve also been dancing for 15 years and compete throughout the state with Brooke’s School of Dance.
Currently, I’m the 2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo Princess and I’ve enjoyed my reign so far and have visited many rodeos in Wisconsin and lowa. I’ve participated in many activities and events throughout the year representing WRPR in a positive light. I traveled to Las Vegas in December with my family to see the National Finals Rodeo. I made lots of connections with rodeo professionals there that will definitely help me in the future.
When I have some downtime, I enjoy working with my horses and also hitting the trails on my snowmobile whenever there’s snow. I also love to work with my dad doing fieldwork. It’s a connection to God that I’ve had for the past 18 years. I also love to go to church with my family. I feel truly blessed to have such strong faith at my age. Looking ahead, I plan to attend Southwest Technical College and study Agriculture Management.
Being crowned a WRPR Queen would be a huge honor for me. I know I’d continue to represent the circuit with dignity and respect. I also love working with the committee and other members, learning from them, and keeping the true legacy of rodeo alive. Rodeo is a journey that has shaped me on who I am today.
