From Sweetheart to Queen, Destiny Wecks of Joseph continues to climb the rodeo queen ladder
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Friday, October 20th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
JOSEPH — Destiney Wecks of Joseph, Oregon has made her name in the rodeo world here in Oregon since she was much younger. A 2022 graduate of Enterprise High School, Wecks began her rodeo career in 2008 with the title of Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart. Since that time Wecks has kept in touch with Elkhorn Media Group and continued to share her experiences along the way. Recently Wecks (DW) spoke with New Director Shannon McKone (SM) for another update on her rodeo and college life.
SM – Let’s start from the beginning. How did your life in rodeo begin?
DW– My life in rodeo has been a lengthy one for sure! Starting with me riding horses at my home ranch in Joseph, I fell in love with 4h and FFA which then helped me learn about rodeos. From the age of about five, I knew I wanted to be in rodeo in some type of way. Of course, attending local rodeos like Chief Joseph Days Rodeo, Elgin Stampede and the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show and Rodeo, all helped light the fire within me to become part of rodeo instead of watching from the sidelines.
SM- What titles have you held so far?
DW– Starting from the first to most recently is 2008 and 2009 Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart (everyone gets the title), 2015-Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon, 2018-19 Wallowa County 4-H Court, 2020-21 Chief Joseph Days Honorary Court Queen, 2020-21 Oregon High School 1st Attendant, 2022 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon.
SM- What has been your favorite thing about being rodeo royalty?
DW– Being a part of rodeo royalty is so much more than what the public sees as just pretty girls with perfect hair and makeup riding horses. While being in rodeo you are part of such a huge family, and being in the royalty spectrum of that family you are also expected to be the very prim and proper and basically perfect person you can be, and I love to show my talents to people of horsemanship, speaking, interviews, knowledge of rodeo, current events and more! But overall, I still have to say that my favorite part of being rodeo royalty is being a person for others to look up to and strive to go above and beyond in their own unique ways.
SM-Who has been your biggest role model?
DW– I actually have two role models who I have and always will look up to. The first was 2011 Miss Rodeo Oregon and 2012 Miss Rodeo America, Mackenzie Carr (now Ivie), she is a huge role model to me for her overall poise and confidence in herself and being one of the best Miss Rodeo Americas I’ve been able to meet. The second is Julie Drescher, who was Miss Rodeo Oregon 2015 when I was Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon. She showed me what true friendships are, how to hold yourself to a high standard and how to be strong in your personal views and not fall into others’ negativity.
SM- Are you currently attending college and if so, what are your career goals?
DW– I’m currently attending Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon, seeking an associate degree in agriculture business. After College I’m hoping to return home to start my own business of selling horses with my ranch raised stud colt as a breeding stallion.
SM- You recently were named as the Sisters Rodeo Queen for 2024. What made you want to go for that title?
DW– I’ve been asked this so many times that I can’t even count them on all my fingers, but it is a great question to answer. Although I am roughly dix hours away from Sisters, I have always been driven to that rodeo, and over the years I’ve attended the rodeo as a spectator and as a title holder, I’ve always wanted to become more for the great rodeo. The rodeo has always appealed to me for the welcoming and kind rodeo directors, and not to mention all the famous rodeo athletes that attend, but also the gorgeous landscape surrounding, and the rich rodeo history that goes with the almost 85 years of rodeo tradition in such a small little town.
SM- What is next for you?
DW– It’s hard to say because I live my life almost by the seat of my jeans. But in these next few years I’m hoping to prepare to try out for Miss Rodeo Oregon and become the first girl in Oregon to achieve the “Triple Crown”, where I will have held all three of the state level titles for Miss Rodeo Oregon. Outside of rodeo queening I’m hoping to get into training some of my horses back at home for rodeos and shows, as well as helping instruct clinics and mock pageants for rodeo queens to prepare for their titles.
SM- Anything else about rodeo, your life, or anything you would like to share with us?
DW– I just want to say this because I feel sometimes, I don’t say it enough, or those important people in my life don’t get to hear it enough, but I want to say a quick thank you to all my supporters from friends and family to sponsors and all rodeo directors. I really owe everyone in my life a huge thank you for everything they have done for me and what they continue to do for me.
SM– Thanks so much for talking with me and giving us all an update on your rodeo career. We can’t wait to hear what is next for you.
