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From Fox News: A 19-year-old rodeo star, who won Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas in 2024, died in a single-vehicle car accident that left four of her teammates and a fifth person injured on Friday night in rural Kansas, according to officials.
Emma Brungardt, of Blue Rapids, was a passenger in a 2007 Ford F250 pickup truck traveling southbound on County Road 21 in Thomas County when the pickup “left the roadway” at the Y intersection and struck a tree row, Kansas Highway Patrol said in an online crash report.
Troopers said Brungardt was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. The driver and four other passengers survived the crash, reporting possible injuries.
Colby Community College, where Brungardt was a sophomore, confirmed her death to Fox News Digital on Monday morning.
The school’s rodeo team stated in a Facebook post that the other individuals in the vehicle included four other team members and a work study.
“Emma was a sweet soul who picked up other people and always had a positive attitude. Her light will live on in and around the rodeo arena. “Always pray, never lose hope” Luke 18:1,” the Colby CC Rodeo Team wrote.
Brungardt was a 2023 graduate of Valley Heights High School at Blue Rapids, KS. She was majoring in Equine Management and Production at Colby Community College.
Tributes on social media are pouring in for Brungardt, as those who knew and loved her share their grief and condolences.
Shannon Conti wrote: “Tonight a community of people came together. This was not just the Blue Rapids, Waterville or Valley Heights community, but a community that reaches much farther than our small towns. Tonight it was a community of people who were all touched in one way or another by the beautiful soul of Emma Brungardt. This amazing young woman was a light in our dark world. I personally will never forget her love of life and the joy she found in even the small things. Her mischievous and goofy sense of humor and infectious laugh could brighten anyone’s day. Emma accomplished more in her short 19 years than many accomplish in 60 or 70.
“As we came together tonight to share the burden of grief over the loss of Emma, I couldn’t help but think of the light she was to so many. She loved her horses, she loved her family and friends and she loved the Lord. What a comfort it is to know that even though we are left to grieve, Emma is already by our Lords side in paradise and through Jesus Christ we will be reunited one day. For now I pray for comfort and peace to be brought to the Brungardt family, and the community united through the single light of an amazing young woman. Let’s remember to live as Emma lived, finding joy in the journey of life and serving others in Christian love. Rest Easy Cowgirl, and keep watch over all of us here below.”
Miss Rodeo K-State, Jordan Daugherty, wrote, “Heaven gained a beautiful angel way too soon last night. Emma Brungardt was one of the most genuine, pure souls I have ever met. I’m eternally grateful to have had a friend in this inspiring cowgirl. She impacted so many people through her travels, her love for horses, her passion for the rodeo industry, and her unmatchable euphoric personality and will be deeply missed by all. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers through this difficult time.”
A GoFundMe account set up to cover expenses has raised over $6,500 as of this report.
Brungardt’s funeral service is scheduled for Saturday at the school gymnasium in Blue Rapids, Kansas.
Miss Rodeo Kansas Pageant wrote, “The Miss Rodeo Kansas Pageant would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Emma Brungardt, our beautiful Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas 2024.
“Emma was a true gem and horsewoman who embodied what it meant to be a rodeo queen, always going above and beyond what was expected of her.
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.”
Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas, 19, killed in car crash; teammates injured https://t.co/BEtH2qaeaI
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 7, 2024
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