Messages from May 2010
e-mailed to junior high 5.26.10
I forgot a few things in my e-mail the other day:
We are in charge of the boys goat tying all week. It would be nice to have 2-3 volunteers for each performance to make sure things run smoothly. Anyone in the arena or work pens must be in proper dress code.
Friday night, we will need about 10 student volunteers to carry sponsor flags before the rodeo. We have quite a few members competing that night so hopefully it won't be a problem to get volunteers.
Friday night is also our night to work the admission gate. We will need 3 adult volunteers for this job.
For Saturday's short go, we need one volunteer to carry a flag and one volunteer to help at the front gate.
The group cookouts are scheduled for Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. We will post the menu each morning in the stands. There are no plans to cook on Tuesday and Friday.
It is Wednesday night and I still haven't heard about where everyone will be parked. I don't expect to at this point, so it is time to make up your mind on the golf carts if you haven't reserved one yet.
I don't need a response on this item - just think about it and we will discuss on Sunday in the stands. Each region is required to sell 100 50/50 tickets each day. Proceeds benefit the Texas Junior High Division general fund. Some regions have started budgeting for this expense so their members don't have to sell the tickets. If they end up with the winning ticket, the winnings go back to their region. The total for the week is $425. Winning one jackpot would easily cover this. It is up to all of you how you want to handle this. We will vote on Sunday.
And one more thing, I pull double-duty next week working for Jennings Photography and helping with the grand entry and wherever else I may be needed. I don't get to see much of the rodeo but I do get to check out all of your photos and keep up with your progress that way. You are welcome to come see me any time. We are in an air-conditioned room at the end of the stands on the bucking chute end of the arena.
Okay, I'll leave you alone now. Be safe in your travels to Gonzales. I'll see you Saturday night.
e-mailed to junior high 5.24.10
Hello State Finalists:
We are down to the last few days before heading south to Gonzales. I'm pretty excited so I know you all must be, too. I have been enjoying working at a slower pace since the Tri-State Finals wrapped up. My batteries needed some serious re-charging. Now I am ready to get back to the action!
Here are a few things you may need to know before you arrive in Gonzales:
Report cards - if you have finished school, you need to bring your end of school report card. If not, you need your most recent progress report or a note from your counselor on school letterhead stating that you are currently passing your classes.
Photo ID - you need to bring your photo ID and report card with you to check-in. You won't get in without them. There was a generic photo ID form in your state finals packet. If you are using it, make sure you get it notarized before you leave home.
Event Directors - voting takes place at check-in. You can vote for each event that you are entered in at Gonzales. This is a great leadership opportunity. Please vote - and it is okay to vote for yourself.
Back numbers need to be on your back after you complete your check-in. You will need to be in full dress code by 4pm for the mandatory contestants' meeting in the stands. Group photos will be taken following the meeting.
Barrett for President! - Barrett Bland is running for Student State President. Every contestant gets to vote for the student officers. There will be posters at Gonzales that will tell you when and where the voting will take place. I think it may be on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please look for the signs so you don't forget to vote.
Our Region 1 Princess, Kennady Johnson, is fresh off a big win at the Panola County Cattleman's Association Rodeo where she won the princess division and her younger sister, Kate, won the sweetheart division. I think Kennady has some pretty good momentum going into the state competition. She will be competing in horsemanship Sunday morning. Please stop by the arena and show your support on your way to check-in.
Parking - I hope to hear where our parking spots are located before we get to Gonzales. I will forward the information as soon as I get it. I know several of you were trying to decide on renting golf carts and the parking location is a major factor in that decision.
Saturday's short go round is designated as "Junior High Riding in Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness."
There are nightly jackpots for goat tying, tiedown, breakaway and team roping. There is an information flyer at this link - http://twjhd.net/results/Jackpot%20Schedule.pdf.
Mandatory Contestants' Meeting is Sunday at 4pm. Please arrive by 3:45pm so that individual photos can be taken before the meeting starts. They will be displayed as part of our decorations.
Call me if you have any questions about what is going on. Otherwise, I'll see you this weekend!
posted 5.13.10
I spoke with Connie Cessnun last night - Ty's mom. He had surgery in Amarillo on Sunday and the doctors put a titanium rod in his femur. He is home and moving around on crutches but will miss the next two weeks of school. The Cessnun Family would like to thank everyone for the calls of concern and get well wishes for Ty. You've shown them firsthand how our Tri-State Family comes together to take care of and support each other. Thank you.
I am driving east for the weekend to Carthage for my last pro rodeo for a couple of months. The office phone will be forwarded if you need anything. When I get back, it will be time to start gathering up any loose ends on the junior high finals in Gonzales. Only two weeks left before we head south! Have a great weekend,
posted 5.11.10
Results and points are finally updated. Checks will go out tomorrow. Our payoff has rebounded from last year's major dip in added money thanks to $2450 from the silent auction, $2460 from Yard Bird Bingo, sponsorships renewed by our student officers and all of the program ads and buckle sponsorships sold by the membership. Each event received $800 in added money - twice the amount added a year ago. Every little bit helps. Good job everyone!
posted 5.10.10
What a jam-packed weekend in Vernon for our Tri-State Finals. Congratulations to our new year end champions:
ALL AROUND COWBOY LANCE GRAF ALL AROUND COWGIRL NICOLE ESPENSON STEER WRESTLING LANCE GRAF & HAYDEN MOORE BREAKAWAY ROPING KORTNI McCONNELL BAREBACK RIDING RYAN McINTYRE SADDLE BRONC RIDING MONTANA MEDRANO BARREL RACING JANESA GARCIA CALF ROPING SEAVER TATE GOAT TYING PHYLLI BLACK RIBBON ROPING SEAVER TATE POLE BENDING KORTNI MCCONNELL TEAM ROPING - HEADER AARON MACY TEAM ROPING - HEELER BRENT IVY BULL RIDING LANE HALL ROOKIE COWBOY AARON MACY ROOKIE COWGIRL NICOLE ESPENSON MISS TRI-STATE CHARLSI HEINRICH I need to finish paying bills and getting deposits ready tonight so I can finish up the results pages. For those who don't know this, Tri-State adds money to each event's payoff. Once everything is paid for, we decide how money is needed to get through the summer and then the rest of the money in the account is divided up for added money. I hope to have everything done and checks in the mail tomorrow afternoon.
I want to thank you all for the roses on Saturday morning. I love them! They are beautiful and make my office smell so sweet. I hope I didn't appear ungrateful when I didn't say anything but I cannot speak in front of crowds unless I am able to prepare something to say in advance. I am used to staying in the background so being called out in front of everyone at the meeting caught me off guard. And to be honest, I didn't want to embarrass myself when I started crying. And I know I would have if I had started talking. So, thank you again. I love you guys so much. You have no idea how important you all are to me.
posted 5.4.10
The event draws for Abilene have been posted on the Region 1 News page.
Here is a copy of the registration papers for the filly that will be auctioned off on Sunday.
If you are holding a ticket for Yard Bird Bingo, this chart will show you where your numbered square is located on the game card. Good luck!
And here is a list of the report cards that I have received in the office. If your name is not on this list, you MUST bring your report card or progress report with you to check-in on Friday.
e-mailed 5.4.10
Three days and counting! Can you believe it? Here are some updates and reminders for our weekend in Vernon.
The order of events has changed slightly. We will begin each performance with steer wrestling, then breakaway roping, then we will combine the bareback and saddle bronc riding. The rest of the order remains the same: barrels, calf roping, goat tying, ribbon roping, pole bending, team roping and bull riding.
When you arrive at check-in on Friday, you need to have the following items:
5th six weeks report card or progress report for the 9 weeks. I will post a list of who has turned theirs in to the office on the website tonight. If I already have yours, you do not need to bring another copy.
Yard Bird Bingo tickets. Each contestant needs to sell at least $25 worth for each game. If you would like to sell extra tickets, you may pick them up Friday – or I can mail them to you either today or tomorrow. There are about 30 sets of five left. Any unsold tickets just subtract from your overall profit.
Silent auction item. Bring this with you Friday night. All donated items will stay in the Exhibit building for the weekend so they will be safe.
We have a big ticket item for the auction. KT Cattle (the Best Family) has donated a 2 year old filly. She will be in a stall this weekend so you can check her out before the live bidding on Sunday. I will post a copy of her registration on the website tonight. The winning bidder will be able to take her home Sunday so make sure you have room in your trailer if you think you will be bidding.
If you are entered at Abilene, please plan for a grand entry practice session on Saturday afternoon. We will also have a meeting to discuss costume ideas. There WILL NOT be a group photo (since we don’t have the costumes figured out yet.)
I just received the draw for Abilene this morning. I will get it posted to the Region 1 page this evening.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. I think it will be a good weekend. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and having a great Finals!
