The Esthen Exchangerodeo community has lost a rising star.

Emm Brungardt, who won the 2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas Pageant, died in a car accident Oct. 4, her school Colby Community College confirmed. She was 19.

“Last night,” the school’s Facebook post said of Emma, “her along with 4 other team members and our work study were involved in a car accident. Unfortunately Emma did not walk away from this. We are praying for all families involved.”

“Emma was a sweet soul who picked up other people and always had a positive attitude,” the statement continued. “Her light will live on in and around the rodeo arena.”

According to a crash report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, Emma was one of six passengers in a pickup truck driven by an 18-year-old man which left the roadway while navigating an intersection of a private drive before crashing into a tree row. The report notes the truck flipped over before it came to rest upright.

According to The Wichita Eagle, the vehicle also contained four of Emma’s Colby Rodeo teammates.

Emma sustained a fatal injury and died at the scene, per the crash report, while the other five occupants complained of pain and were taken to Citizens Medical Center for possible injury.

Emma, originally from Blue Rapids, Kansas, attended Colby on a rodeo scholarship and competed in barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

Following the news of her passing, the Miss Rodeo Kansas Pageant reflected on the legacy of their winner.

“Emma was a true gem and horsewoman who embodied what it meant to be a rodeo queen,” an Oct. 5 Facebook post from the organization said. “Always going above and beyond what was expected of her.”

Their statement continued, “We will miss her contagious smile and one in a million personality. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers as they navigate through this unimaginable loss.”

As one user commented on the tribute, “She was simply incredible. In all ways imaginable, especially in being a cowgirl.”

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