SOAP LAKE - Soap Lake resident Tami Lee Deines is hoping to put Grant County on the map by running in a contest to become Wrangler Western's 2013 Ultimate Cowgirl.

Deines and a few hundred other girls from across the country are vying for the title of Ultimate Cowgirl and the chance to represent the American denim company at various events throughout the year.

Deines, who will be 21 next week, is a junior at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. She is pursuing an exercise science degree, according to her mom Robin Deines.

Deines said her daughter is trying to make it into the contest's "top 10" bracket, which is decided by votes cast on Wrangler Western's Facebook page.

"They had to submit a profile and photos to join the contest, and now they have to make it to the top 10 by getting people to vote for them," she said.

Judges from Wrangler step in once the top 10 girls are chosen, said Deines.

"At this point, we're just trying to drum up some votes," she said. Tami is the only girl from the region participating in the contest, said Deines.

She said Tami is located on the fourth page of contestants on Wrangler's Facebook page. People can vote once a day, but the voting portion of the contest closes on April 29, she said.

Deines said her daughter has been involved in rodeo activities since she was about five.

"She walks and talks the whole thing," she said. "If she isn't at school or work, then she's on her horses."

Deines said Tami participates on her college rodeo team and on the Professional Western Rodeo Association circuit. She said Tami typically spends her weekends traveling back and forth between different rodeos.

Tami Deines said she joined the competition for a chance to share her passion for rodeo and all things Western with people around the country.

"I want to share the true meaning of being a cowgirl," she said. "I would love Wrangler to have a cowgirl who ropes and rides to represent them."

Deines said it would be exciting for someone from Soap Lake to be named Wrangler's Ultimate Cowgirl.

"It would be a great opportunity for a girl who believes in hard work to share her ways along the rodeo trails with others," she said.

To cast a vote for Deines, visit www.facebook.com/wranglerwestern.