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2026 Stampede Queen finds confidence through community and education

Four years ago, Grace Sippola had no interest in becoming a rodeo queen.

When the idea was first suggested, her answer was simple:

“Not happening.”

Today, the Medicine Hat College (MHC) Business Administration student serves as the 2026 Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Queen, representing Medicine Hat, agriculture and the western way of life at events across Alberta.

Grace Sippola, 2026 Medicine Hat Stampede Queen and Medicine Hat College student, is pursuing her education while representing the community throughout her reign.

Her journey from reluctant participant to community ambassador is a reminder that some of life’s most meaningful opportunities begin when you’re willing to take a chance.

Born in Williams Lake, B.C., she spent most of her childhood moving between ranches as her family followed work throughout the agricultural industry.

“That’s honestly where the horsemanship and ranching side comes into my life,” she said. “I was raised with morals around respecting animals, people, good leadership and hard work.”

While Grace hopes to one day operate her own equine reproduction and dentistry business, her path to that goal has included a few unexpected turns.

She arrived at the college through University Transfer: Science, believing it was the right route toward her future career. Then she took a business course.

“I remember thinking, ‘I should probably transfer to business,’” she said with a laugh. “I kind of have a knack for this.”

Today, Grace appreciates the flexibility a business education provides.

"You can go into marketing, finance, accounting or run your own business," she said. "I loved all the possibilities."

Grace walks through MHC's F Wing, home to the School of Business, where she discovered a path that aligned with her interests and future goals.

That willingness to embrace change would prove useful when another opportunity appeared.

Former Stampede Princess and MHC alumna Joleigh Wood encouraged Grace to attend an orientation session and learn more about the Queen competition. Though skeptical, she decided to give it a chance.

"I thought about it and realized it would be a good chance to get to know more people, open more doors and help represent the community and industry that raised me," she said.

"She's very genuine, very real and very down-to-earth," said Lori Siedlecki, president and co-chair of the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Queen Committee. "She comes from a great family background and has lots of qualities that help her represent Medicine Hat well."

While serving as an ambassador, Grace is continuing her education at MHC, an opportunity supported through a long-standing partnership between the college and the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede. Since 1991, the organizations have partnered through the Queen and Princess Scholarship program, helping participants pursue post-secondary education while representing the community.

"Education is important," said Siedlecki. "The program is there to support their educational experience."

Education remains a key component of the Medicine Hat Stampede's Queen and Princess program, helping participants build skills, confidence and opportunities that extend beyond their year of service.

She hopes the partnership will continue helping students pursue their educational goals while serving their community for many years to come.

For Grace, community is one of the things she values most about MHC.
"It's small enough where everyone gets to intermingle and meet," she said. "I never would have met some of my closest friends if I wasn't here."

As she looks toward a future in the equine industry, Grace encourages others to embrace opportunities that may feel outside their comfort zone.

After all, becoming Stampede Queen wasn't part of the plan.

Then again, some of life's best experiences rarely are.

"Sometimes jumping in can take you places that you never thought you would go."