Western ND News

March is Women's History Month and Dickinson State University is highlighting Joan Hecker Lennick for her lifetime of accomplishments as a cowgirl, rodeo champion, and educator. Born and raised on a farm near Belfield, Lennick's early years would set the stage for her achievements in education and rodeo.

Lennick's educational journey began in a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class before attending Dickinson State Teachers College. There, she excelled in academics and rodeo, becoming an active member of the Rodeo Club and earning the title of Outstanding Elementary Student Teacher of the Year.

Her rodeo career began early, riding a Shetland pony with her sister, later transitioning to "Speedy," a black quarter horse her father purchased in 1956. With Speedy, Lennick achieved impressive rodeo success:

- 1956: North Dakota State High School Barrel Racing Champion

- 1959, 1961, 1962: North Dakota Rodeo Association Barrel Racing Champion

- 1960: American Collegiate Rodeo Association (ACRA) Barrel Racing Champion and 2nd Runner-Up Goat Tying

- 1960: National All-Around Title

- 1960: Named "Cowgirl of the Nation" by the National American Collegiate Rodeo Association for scoring the highest total points across multiple events at five or more ACRA rodeos

- 1962: Miss Rodeo North Dakota, and a contestant at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant

Reflecting on the material prizes of her rodeo career, Lennick remarked, “The money wasn’t great, but the prizes have kept the memories alive.”

Lennick’s teaching career was equally impactful, spanning over 40 years. She taught in Beach, ND from 1960 to 1963, then continued her career in Bismarck public schools from 1965 to 2006. Her dedication to students is evident as she shared, “I never gave up on a student.”

In addition to her teaching and rodeo accomplishments, Lennick judged and coached various events for more than 50 years, including rodeo queen pageants and competitions like the Miss Indian America Pageant and the American Idol preliminary competition. From 1997 to 2007, she also served as a trustee for the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Joan Lennick has been recognized with her induction into the Arena of Academic Excellence at Dickinson State University in 2007 and the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2008. She continues to reside in Bismarck, North Dakota, living by the cowboy code: Give it your all and never quit until the job is done.

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