It was a crazy, busy and fun summer. I have so much to catch you up on! This could take awhile, so get comfortable! First off - August
I’d like to congratulate Miss Summer Weldon! Summer is the newly crowned Tennessee Jr. Rodeo Queen. I believe she will do a great job representing Jr. Rodeo. I had the opportunity to be a judge for the first time, at this pageant. I have to say, it’s not an easy task! The contestants did a great job. It was very exciting to watch these young ladies! Thank you Katie Brooks for asking me to come, and to the Jr. Rodeo committee for allowing me to be part of the rodeo! It was inspiring to watch all these young athletes compete in a sport they love! There is some serious talent coming up through the ranks! Ashley and Tyler Brooks sure put in great performances! It was great, as always, to see Kelly and Manny Azevedo. I also had the pleasure of sharing duties with my Teen counter part, Lauren Burner and the Tennessee High School Rodeo Queen, Aubrey Hodges! It was also awesome to get to judge alongside my momma! I’m very grateful that she is willing to help out in so many ways.
On to the Portage County Randolph Fair! I was born in a little town in Ohio. Growing up I had the privilege of participating in 4-H. Fair was the highlight of every summer! I showed pigs, cows and of course, horses. I try to go back to that fair every August, to visit and see old friends! This August I was invited to be a part of the opening day ceremonies. It was so special to go back to a place that helped shape who I am. It’s the place I got my love and interest in agriculture and rodeo. Their amazing committee comes together every year to put on one of the best fairs ever! It was so much fun to be introduced to a crowd of people I had grown up with! I got to give a speech and help with some of the equine events. I also got to see one of my good friends drive his car in the demolition derby! It was great to see and visit with, some family and friends. Thank you Debbie Heppe for inviting me to come, and to the whole fair board committee for pulling together (once again) such a great, family fair! Many of my family members came out to see me; including my Grandma Jan, my Aunts - Debbie, Kathy, Beckie and Patti, my Uncles - David and Louie, some of my cousins and dear friend Dr. Theresa Heibel with Jesse and Riley! I also got to visit with my Grandpa Andy and spend some much needed time with my Dad, Mark. Thanks Dad, for all you do. I appreciate you! I had the best chauffeurs in the world! Thanks to Pamm and BFF Bethey for dragging momma and me all over! Finally, congratulations to the 2010 Fair King and Queen, Benjamin Ryan and Sarah Allen!
The end of August brought the start of my school year, as well as the “Spaghetti Western” fund raiser! We had a blast! The fund raiser was held in Martin, Tennessee at the American Legion. We had food, an auction, fun and of course the Mr. Rodeo Tennessee pageant! I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time! Before I give the details I want to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who came, all of you who donated auction items and all of you who bought those items! The trip to Las Vegas and everything involved with it, is (as dad Joe would say) “very spendy.” The fund raisers are a crucial part of my getting their and being prepared. Without the help of my sponsors and supporters, it wouldn’t happen. Also presented that night was a sponsorship check, donated to the UT Martin Rodeo Team, by the Franklin Noon Rotary Club! They have been a consistent sponsor of scholarship funds! NOW for the fun! The Mr. Rodeo Tennessee Pageant. Wow. What a bunch of good sports! Our nominees where; Mr. Russ Finey, Mr. Keith Brooks, Mr. Greg Hensley, Mr. Joe Pratt, Mr. Nelson Davis and Mr. Manny Azevedo. These men had to compete in horsemanship, personal interview, trivia and talent. I am pleased to say that only one of our contestants got thrown off his stick horse and that most of our contestants could keep their stick horses in the correct lead! Oh, the talent displayed! Air Guitar, Poetry, Acting, Roping and more! We judges had such a tough decision! Our judges were; from the Miss Rodeo Tennessee committee, Mrs. Kelly Azevedo - from the Jr. Rodeo Committee and the UT Martin Boosters, Mrs. Katie Brooks - from the Martin Rodeo Boosters, Camille Higgs - Miss Teen Rodeo Tennessee, Lauren Burner and me. The Tennessee Jr. Rodeo Queen, Summer Weldon helped with events and Momma did the announcing. Much craziness and hilarity ensued! If you didn’t get to come, you missed way too much fun! Our 2010 Mr. Rodeo Tennessee crown went to Mr. Greg Hensley, with Nelson Davis and Russ Finey, our runner ups! Thanks also to Coach John Luthi and Steve Taylor for being good sports when they were drug into the fun! I am blessed to know all of those who came and call them friends! A few more thank you’s….Camille, without your help we could have never gotten all that work done! David Pruitt, friend, UT Martin Rodeo supporter and Auctioneer - you did a great job! Kelly, who is just always there and momma for the planning the night….and dad Joe for flying all the way from ND to be there, for one night! I love you all!
Finally, we come to September. Over Labor Day, I was invited to be a part of a Rodeo in Kensington, Georgia. It was held at the Cove Arena and the stock contractor was again, friend Ed Lepper and Lepper Livestock, from Summerville, Georgia. Man Ed! Those bulls were doing some serious bucking! Thanks to Melissa Jones for allowing me the use of her horse! Once again, I had the privilege of visiting with rodeo fans and pushing steers. The fans at this rodeo where some of the most enthusiastic I have encountered! I signed autographs until I had finger blisters! Thankfully, Momma was there with lots of back up autograph sheets! The rodeo was sponsored by Ronnie and Susan Millican. They put together a fun and entertaining event! The rodeo was a fund raiser for their church youth!
The end of September brings the beginning of my college rodeo season! After many injuries and disappointments, I am looking forward to a good year! God is good and has blessed me in many ways! We have a few more events coming up before Vegas, baby! One of them is a Vegas kick off party, November, in Franklin, Tennessee. Stay tuned for details! I hope to see ya’ll there! Remember to scroll ALL the way to the bottom of this page if you want to see all the pictures, new and old!
