A former Miss Rooftop Rodeo has taken the next step in her career.

Alex Hyland, a 22-year-old from Windsor, Colo., won the Miss Rodeo Colorado pageant this past week in Greeley, Colo. Her reign will begin Jan. 1, so the has begun her campaign as Miss Rodeo Colorado Lady-in-Waiting.

Hyland – who was Miss Rooftop Rodeo in 2012 – won the horsemanship, speech and appearance awards. She is the daughter of Peter and Nancy Hyland and is a recent graduate of Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Hyland was a cum laude honoree in mass communication and hopes to work in the rodeo industry. While in college, she served as director of external affairs for the Associated Students’ Government. She also helped re-organize the rodeo team, where she served as the group’s president.