Rylee McGinley
I am excited to introduce myself as your 2025 Rodeo Queen Candidate! My name is Rylee McGinley, and I am 18 years old, currently a senior at St. Joseph High School. I am actively involved in a variety of activities that showcase my leadership, creativity, and passion for our school and community.
As the Vice President of the California Scholarship Federation and the Treasurer of the National Honor Society, I have had the opportunity to organize many events over the past three years, including pickleball tournaments and an International Food Fair. Alongside my academic dedication, I serve as the captain of the varsity cheer team and the Stunt team, where I work to enhance school spirit and teamwork.
My love for the arts has led me to participate in numerous musicals with the SJHS Community Theatre Program, where I have had the privilege of being a lead dancer and actress. Singing is also a significant passion of mine, and I’ve enjoyed performing the National Anthem at various sporting events, which demonstrates my commitment to our school community.
Looking ahead, I plan to attend a four-year university to pursue a career in pediatric nursing. My deepest goal in life is to spread love and kindness and to ensure that all children have equal opportunities for a bright future.
I am incredibly honored to be chosen as the Rodeo Queen Candidate and am eager to continue my aunt Roxy Leppo’s legacy, who was crowned the Elks Rodeo Queen in 1972. I am excited about this campaign, which will support children in obtaining a quality education just like I received at St. Joseph High School. It is important to me that financial barriers do not prevent any child from receiving a quality education.
By fundraising for tuition assistance, we can create a more inclusive and equitable educational environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. I believe that supporting tuition assistance programs and educational choice is a vital cause that benefits not just individual students, but our entire community.
Thank you for your support as I aim to make a positive difference in our community. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future!
Rylee McGinley – 2025 SJHS Rodeo Queen Princess
Meet Our 2024 Candidate:
Alexis Righetti
My name is Alexis Righetti, I am 18 years old, and I was born and raised in Santa Maria. I’m currently a senior at St. Joseph High School where I’m involved in the Environmental Advocacy Club and I’m co-leader for our school’s Art and Design Club. I’m also currently in my school’s Knights 4-H Club where I am raising a heifer in preparation for the Santa Barbara County Fair. I have previously participated in the county fair for two years with my club. At my school I participate in a Speech & Debate course along with two Advanced Placement (AP) courses. I spend a lot of my free time making art where I raise and answer questions through pieces, reading, and working part time at the Far Western Tavern as a hostess. After high school I plan to attend a 4-year college to major in illustration and to hopefully pursue a career in character design. The rodeo has been a big part of my family’s history and I’m excited to participate in it as the St Joseph’s queen candidate. I am grateful for this opportunity to contribute to my community and raise money for tuition assistance to help support students receive a Catholic education.
Alexis Righetti, SJHS Rodeo Princess
Meet Our 2020 Candidate:
Anna Kuykendall
Hello Knight Supporters,
We truly appreciate any support you can give to our fundraising efforts with the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo & Parade. Your generosity will make the most of their hard work by helping to help pay for the school’s tuition assistance program to make a St. Joseph High School education possible for deserving knights who wouldn’t be able to attend without financial aid. Donations are vital to the success of this program.
The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo hold a Queen Contest to raise funds for youth programs. During this campaign, contestants coordinate barbecues, dances, sports related contests, car washes, bake sales, auctions, and various other activities to obtain donations. This program offers Santa Maria Valley and surrounding communities’ non-profit organizations the opportunity to sponsor a Queen Candidate. Each candidate must be of high school or college age. As of 2019, there have been over 430 young ladies that have competed for Queen and over 13 million dollars has been distributed back throughout our community.
I am honored to be representing St. Joseph High School in the 2020 Elks Rodeo Queen Campaign. St. Joseph is devoted to providing a quality Catholic education to our youth. Our school motto is: to image Christ in mind, heart, body, and soul. During my campaign as an Elks princess, I strive to meet this motto by eliminating financial barriers for future Knights. All proceeds raised will be allocated to our Tuition Assistance Program. To me, Saint Joe’s is not just a school, it is a home. That is why I am so passionate about giving deserving students the option to make SJHS their home. I am endlessly thankful for your support as we come together to provide financial assistance to future Knights. God bless! We are proud to have a remarkable group of exceptional young students that attend our school.
Go Knights!
Anna Kuykendall, SJHS Rodeo Princess