38 West Hwy 302 • Notrees, TX 79759 432.770.6087 • tkevin.bennett@gmail.com
STUDENT OFFICERS PRESIDENT - KENNA HAYES MCNEILL VICE PRESIDENT - SAYER SENTER SECRETARY - ASPEN WASH
JODY MCELROY Box 224 • Balmorhea, Texas 79718 432.448.7810 • rodeosecretary1@gmail.com SECRETARY - JODY MCELROY Box 224 • Balmorhea, Texas 79718 432.448.7810 • rodeosecretary1@gmail.com
Region II
STATE DIRECTORS / REGION OFFICERS KEVIN BENNETT
PO Box 7238 • Midland, Texas 79708 432.296.2205 • mattandkayladickey@yahoo.com
MATT DICKEY
PRESIDENT- KENNY STEWART 2347 FM 829 • Stanton, Texas 79782 432.661.5084 • kstewart93@gmail.om
20
PERFORMANCE REPORT
Choices
By SHANNON WEYERTS – Performance Reporter
T
he choices we make in life define us. In the rodeo industry those choices that we can make factor into the outcome daily. We must choose to work harder in the practice pen, so we can achieve success in the rodeo arena. The choices that we must make are not always easy. Most of the hard decisions are the ones that empower us to do some of the greatest things. Nelson Mandela once said, “May your choices reflect your hopes not your fears.” That is exactly what Region 2’s All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl have done. They made the decision to work hard and be in the practice pen when they could. This isn’t saying that others didn’t work as hard or harder, but they achieved greatness as a result of their choices. This year’s All-Around Cowgirl, who qualified to state in Barrels, Poles, Goats, Cutting, and Reined Cow Horse, who is also the Female Rookie of the year, is Jordan Driver. One of Jordan’s choices is part of her inspiration to rodeo, she said “My inspiration to rodeo comes from my set goals and what I want to be. I have these huge goals that I have set and if I keep working hard I will get a little closer every day, but, not only do I have goals set I have some
wonderful people that help me push myself to keep going.” When asked what advice she would give someone in the rodeo industry she said “don’t give up on what you want to do. There is no such thing as always being perfect. Everyone is going to have ups and downs it’s not just you. The sport of rodeo JORDAN DRIVER is a very humbling sport and you will have your time to shine.” Our All-Around Cowboy, A Senior, who qualified in calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, cutting, and reined cow horse, is Tyler West. He has made the choice to pursue his dream, which is his inspiration. I asked what his inspiration to rodeo was and he said, “the dream I’ve had had since TYLER WEST I was a little boy to make it big, I always watched the NFR and would tell myself “I cannot wait until I can compete there.’’’ Now how he is choosing to get there can be shown in what he told me his advice to anyone in the rodeo industry. He said, “Being in the rodeo industry takes full dedication, rodeo athletes have to be fully willing and committed to always keep learning no matter where you are in the rodeo industry.” He lives by this then he has made that choice to work as hard as he can to pursue his dream. These two athletes are just a few of the hard-working individuals that have made the sometimes-difficult choice to work hard to achieve success. Many of the THSRA athletes have made this choice and to be successful you sometimes must make that choice of going out with friends or going out to the practice pen. Some others that made that decision were Madalyn Richards who was the High School Reserve Champion Cowgirl, Brendan Bennett who was the Reserve Champion Cowboy, and Jacob Walters who was the male rookie of the year. Now high school rodeo athletes are not the only ones who have made difficult choices. Many Junior High athletes are on this list and a few of these are; Jessi Everett, Champion All Around Cowgirl, Mayce Maben Reserve All Around Cowgirl and Female Rookie of the year, Lane Reed who was the Champion All Around Cowboy, Cooper Meador who was the Reserve Champion Cowboy, and Dax Reed, Male Rookie of the Year. All these students and more have dedicated themselves to making the choice to working harder. This will ultimately lead to success in not only rodeo, but all your pursuits. These choices are the ones that define us.