There aren’t many people in this world who can truly say they’ve landed their dream job. But the finalists of the 2022 Buffalo Chip Poster Model Search presented by Twisted Tea and Fozzy’s Cycle Shop are close enough to taste it! Being the face of the Best Party Anywhere® is highly sought-after gig, and the 20 remaining contestants are sure to make the judges’ decision difficult during the finals hosted by XRock on May 7, 2022.
MEET THE 2022 POSTER MODEL SEARCH FINALISTS!
Be sure to tell us who you think the winner should be in the comments section below!
Akisha J.
Age: 26
Occupation: Bartender
Hometown: McLaughlin, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Robbinsdale Lounge – Rapid City, SD
Who’s one person you’d be starstruck by if you got to meet them?
Nobody, because everybody is human just like myself!
Name one experience that’s on your bucket list.
To befriend a crow. That would be the coolest.
If you won the lottery tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d do?
I would donate the money to my tribe to start a hockey program for youth, then hit the tropics!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t spend your weekend escaping from your life. Make a life you don’t have to escape from!
Alexia W.
Age: 21
Occupation: Tattoo Artist & Bartender
Hometown: Rapid City, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Iron Phnx – Spearfish, SD
What is your favorite hobby?
Dancing: tap, ballet, hip-hop, etc.
Do you have any secret talents?
I can kick myself in the back of my head
Which animal would you love to be for a day?
A hermit crab, because they can communicate through their antennas.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Dreams don’t work unless you do!
Alexis V.
Age: 21
Occupation: Full-Time Student who works at Belle Joli’ Winery
Hometown: Small Town, MN
Bar Where She Qualified: Iron Phnx – Spearfish, SD
What are three words that describe your personality?
Damn good time
Who’s one person you’d be starstruck by if you got to meet them.
Snoop Dogg
What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?
Moving from Minnesota to the Black Hills.
Why do you want to be the 2022 Buffalo Chip Poster Model? To represent the lively spirit of the Black Hills people.
Allison B.
Age: 34
Occupation: Health Coach Manager & Secretary for Rafter M Ranch Horse Rescue
Hometown: Rapid City, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Robbinsdale Lounge – Rapid City, SD
What are three words that describe your personality
Optimistic, Confident, Silly
Describe your fantasy motorcycle ride.
To ride cross country to the Kentucky Whiskey Trail and visit every distillery on the trail.
Do you have any secret talents?
I’m super clumsy but have cat-like reflexes, so I’m able to catch what I knock over nine times out of 10.
If you could uninvent any invention, what would it be?
Virtual reality – seriously people, take off the goggles, go outside and enjoy the world you’re missing!
Cassidy R.
Age: 26
Occupation: Hair Stylist
Hometown: Rapid City, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Paddy O’Neill’s – Rapid City, SD
What are three words that describe your personality?
Artistic, sociable, funny
What is your favorite band?
Tool
Who is one person you’d be starstruck by if you got to meet them?
Jim Carrey
If you could uninvent any invention, what would it be?
Parking meters
Dani S.
Age: 32
Occupation: Brain Injury Rehab Specialist
Hometown: Rapid City, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Paddy’ O’Neill’s – Rapid City, SD
Which musical instrument would be the coolest to know how to play?
Saxophone – I want to be like Kenny G.
Name one experience that’s on your bucket list.
Do a human swing over a canyon.
If you could uninvent any invention, what would it be?
The plastic clamshell packaging that is hell to open
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Collect moments, not things!
Em W.
Age: 33
Occupation: Registered Nurse and Ambassador to Women and Motorsports
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Bar Where She Qualified: The Knuckle Saloon – Sturgis, SD
Describe your fantasy motorcycle ride.
I will be taking my fantasy motorcycle ride after rally this year. My goal is to visit the entire lower 48 states solo on my 2017 Indian Chief Vintage. My planned route is just short of 14,000 miles in 30 days!
Do you have any secret talents?
I am the jack of trades and master of none. I cook, bake, sew, serve the Black Hills as a nurse, spin wrenches and ride motorcycles. Basically, your average “Biker Betty Crocker”.
What does your dream house look like?
I would live in a garage with an upstairs apartment out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains. My workshop would be filled with an impressive classic car and vintage motorcycle collection.
Which animal would you love to be for a day and why?
A buffalo, because you could totally de-pants someone and get away with it.
Jess J.
Age: 34
Occupation: Bar Owner
Hometown: Sundance, WY
Bar Where She Qualified: Dime Horseshoe Bar – Sundance, WY
What are three words that describe your personality?
Confident, loyal, ambitious
Have you ever attended a concert at the Buffalo Chip?
Yes, I spend 15 days there every year!
Who is one person you’d be starstruck by if you got to meet them?
Miranda Lambert, which I have met and was completely star struck.
Which musical instrument would be the coolest to know how to play?
I actually play the clarinet, and it’s a lot of fun
Kenzie J.
Age: 27
Occupation: Lash Technician
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Grey Goose Social Club – Pierre, SD
Where do you go when you want to have fun and cut loose?
Kayaking / riding / camping
Describe your fantasy motorcycle ride.
The one where I’ll be driving my Harley Sportster to and through Sturgis. I start riding this month!
Have you ever attended a concert at the Buffalo Chip?
KID ROCK
What does your dream house look like?
It’s a tiny home on a large piece of land surrounded by trees and flowers/plants
Lakyn L.
Age: 30
Occupation: Lease Agent
Hometown: Dickinson, ND
Bar Where She Qualified: Robbinsdale Lounge – Rapid City, SD
What are three words that describe your personality?
Spunky, kind, creative
What is your favorite hobby?
Making crafts or going hiking
Where do you go when you want to have fun and cut loose?
Anywhere with bumpin’ music
Why do you want to be the 2022 Buffalo Chip Poster Model?
It would be an absolute honor to promote the most fun place on earth! Everyone becomes family!
Laura Z.
Age: 23
Occupation: Motorcycle Mechanic & Graphic Designer
Hometown: Custer, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Robbinsdale Lounge – Rapid City, SD
What is your favorite hobby?
Writing. I love writing articles, short stories, or even songs.
Have you ever attended a concert at the Buffalo Chip?
Year before last, I went to see Weird Al and had an absolute blast. Age 60, he dragged a full size recliner out onto the stage just to sing “So Inactive” (Radioactive Parody).
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
When I was seven, I got to go to a horse riding camp for a week. During one of the rides, my horse leapt out of line and charged a rattlesnake, stamping it to death. I had always wanted to try snake, so I asked the camp counselor if we could cook it. He roasted the sections of it that weren’t completely crushed over the campfire that night, and I got dibs. Surprisingly, it actually did taste like chicken.
Why do you want to be the 2021 Buffalo Chip Poster Model?
For me, it’s an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and try something that child me never would’ve even dreamed I could do. And it’s only just begun, and I’ve already met a ton of awesome people and challenged myself creatively, physically, and mentally, so this competition rocks!
Mariah E.
Age: 32
Occupation: Bartender & Student
Hometown: Mission, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Paddy O’Neill’s – Rapid City, SD
Have you ever attended a concert at the Buffalo Chip?
Shinedown! LIFE CHANGING!
Which musical instrument would be the coolest to know how to play?
Steel guitar
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Allow yourself to be happy.
Why do you want to be the 2022 Buffalo Chip Poster Model?
To break the mold of the media perception of beauty, to be a positive influence for others to step out of their comfort zone.
Marilyn N.
Age: 30
Occupation: Aerial Dance Instructor
Hometown: Rapid City, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Iron Phnx – Rapid City, SD
If you could hold any world record, what would you want it to be?
Loudest and longest burp because it would make my father proud.
Name one experience that’s on your bucket list?
Performing pole for and smoking a gold joint with Snoop Dogg
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
You can fix someone else’s crown without letting them know it’s crooked.
Why do you want to be the 2022 Buffalo Chip Poster Model?
I’ve been performing and attending the concerts here at the Buffalo Chip now for almost 10 years. This little town of a campground has made me look forward to each summer and nowhere else feels like home. Let’s party!
Megan J.
Age: 34
Occupation: Patient Coordinator
Hometown: Rapid City, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Valley Sports Bar – Rapid City, SD
What does your dream house look like?
Cabin in the woods with a lot of acreage.
Which animal would you love to be for a day and why?
A dog, they seem to always be living their best life
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Live each day as if it were your last.
What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?
Finding my husband.
Miranda G.
Age: 21
Occupation: Full-Tim Student & Art Gigs
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Iron Phnx – Spearfish, SD
What I your favorite hobby?
Ride longboard or work on art projects
What is your favorite band?
Motionless in White or Hollywood Undead
If you could uninvent any invention, what would it be and why?
Furbies, because they look demonic and make noises at the most random times. It scares the living shit out of you
Who is the person who’s been the biggest influence on your life?
My mother, because she’s always told me to stay strong, confident, and to be the person I needed when I was younger. She’s always been supportive and told me to go for what I want in life
Rhianna J.
Age: 29
Occupation: Systems Analyst
Hometown: Denver, CO
Bar Where She Qualified: Valley Sports Bar – Rapid City, SD
Where do you go when you want to have fun and cut loose?
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip! Amazing music, great food and the best group of party people ANYWHERE!
Have you ever attended a concert at the Buffalo Chip?
Snoop Dogg was my first Buffalo Chip concert back in 2019!
Do you have any secret talents?
I am a pretty sweet break dancer!
If you could uninvent any invention, what would it be, and why?
Autocorrect. Never in my life have I meant to say “ducking”.
Saige A.
Age: 32
Occupation: X-Ray Tech/Owner of Sky Dancing Aerial Studio
Hometown: Rapid City, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Mangy Moose Saloon – Hill City, SD
What are three words that describe your personality?
Passionate, caring, creative
Describe your fantasy motorcycle ride.
I would love to ride to Banff Canada and to the Redwood Forest.
What does your dream house look like?
Currently living in it. It sits on 5 acres, has lots of windows for natural light, tall ceilings, giant closet for all my clothes and shoes, wrap-around porch, beautiful view of the Black Hills, and a big shop for car and motorcycle projects.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Kobe beef in Japan
Sinéad M.
Age: 26
Occupation: Student & Computer Technician
Hometown: Hyannis, MA
Bar Where She Qualified: The J Bar – Rapid City, SD
What are three words that describe your personality?
Playful, driven, loyal
Which musical instrument would be the coolest to know how to play?
The ukulele – it would make the perfect travel buddy.
If you could uninvent any invention, what would it be, and why?
Plastic grocery bags – there are so many alternatives that don’t cause so much waste.
Why do you want to be the 2022 Buffalo Chip Poster Model?
To be a part of the Buffalo Chip/Sturgis Bike Rally community, experience a fun culture with rich history from behind the scenes, and in the spotlight and making a few bucks doing it would be the cherry on top!
Trish R.
Age: 30
Occupation: Mother & Bartender
Hometown: Kingman, AZ
Bar Where She Qualified: Valley Sports Bar – Rapid City, SD
What are three words that describe your personality?
Personable, courteous, sympathetic
Where do you go when you want to have fun and cut loose?
If I go to have fun and cut loose, it’s usually dancing and karaoke with fun people.
What is your spirit animal and why?
My spirit animal is The Phoenix because after all the trials in my life, I always rise from the ashes standing stronger and wiser.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Release the idea that things could’ve been any other way. There is no need to try to make sense of the past because the present is what matters the most. We all make choices and things happen, but we all must move on.
Vanessa R.
Age: 32
Occupation: Business Owner
Hometown: Hermosa, SD
Bar Where She Qualified: Chute Rooster – Hill City, SD
Who is one person you’d be starstruck by if you got to meet them?
Dolly Parton. What a woman!
Which musical instrument would be the coolest to know how to play?
An accordion, so I could jam out with Weird Al someday
If you could hold any world record, what would it be and why?
Somebody holds the record for catching a grape in their mouth from over 350 feet. Maybe I’ll start working on that.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
A cigarette. A dare is a dare