Event slated for Feb. 16-17
By Holly Neumann
Matayah Pethke will reign as the 2018 Snodeo Queen.
She and six other girls from the Manawa area competed for the title through an interview process during the summer of 2017.
“I am very honored to reign as the 2018 Snodeo Queen,” Pethke said. “I have the privilege of representing my community not only during the Snodeo but I have also had the opportunity to attend many local parades and events sharing my passion, snowmobiling.”
She believes Snodeo is an important part of life in Manawa.
“It brings community members together to share a passion of snowmobiling or just to have fun and support our event,” she said.
The daughter of Artie and Bobbi Jo Pethke, she said the Manawa community represents family for her.
“We are all here for one another in times of need. I have so much pride for Manawa; it’s where my roots are,” Pethke said. “The people in our community have shaped me to be the person I am today. As a small rural community, we show great strength with a population of 1,300 people.”
She looks forward to meeting new people and sharing the passion of snowmobiling.
A senior at Little Wolf High School in Manawa, Pethke is involved in basketball, volleyball and softball.
She is the vice president of the Manawa FFA chapter and on the officer team for National Honor Society. She is also a member of the Friends of Rachel, a club that spreads kindness throughout the school and community.
Upon graduation, Pethke plans to attend Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, with a major in sports medicine. She will also pursue a degree in pediatric physical therapy.
Snodeo will take place Feb. 16-17 at Bear Lake.