Rodeo Benefits High School FFA Program

A volunteer for the FFA Special Needs Rodeo provided free face painting for rodeo participants.

FFA Volunteers Maycee Pleasant and Rubie Parkinson show Special Rodeo participants how to throw a lasso.

Pictured are the FFA Local and State Officer volunteers, from left to right (back row): Parker Boudreaux, Tanner Landry, Rubie Parkinson (State FFA), Maycee Pleasant (State FFA), Owen Kelly (State FFA), Anna Hebert, Michael Esneault , and Easton Chiasson, (front row) Olivia Clement, Ella Hahn, Mikaela Comeaux, Lili Windham, Megan LeBlanc, Sarah St. Germain, and Charli Boudreaux.

4-H member Vera Trosclair from Napoleonville Elementary School and her horse Minnie, along with CRA Representative Aaron Matherne volunteered to give rides to participants of the Special Needs Rodeo.

Rodeo fans of all ages enjoyed a weekend of fun, festivities and western entertainment at the 14th Annual Assumption High School FFA Benefit Rodeo, which was held at the Assumption Parish Agriculture Complex, April 24-25.

 The event featured classic rodeo entertainment, a special needs activity day and opportunities for the community to support the high school’s FFA program.

 “Our FFA Chapter focuses on growing leaders and community support, which is why we started the Special Needs Rodeo, an added it to our rodeo weekend,” said Assumption High School FFA Sponsor Sadie Phelps.

 “The classic rodeos are sanctioned by CRA, and they provide a wonderful opportunity for locals to compete and be entertained. The event is our biggest fundraiser of the year – it helps to pay for so many of our chapter needs,” she said.

 “The Special Needs Rodeo gives our FFA program an opportunity to give back to our community by providing a quieter and more controlled setting for those who want to experience agriculture and rodeo in a safe and welcoming environment,” Phelps added.

 The classic rodeo, which was held April 24-25, featured bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback riding, calf roping, team roping and barrel racing competitions. All the competitions were sanctioned by the Cajun Rodeo Association, allowing participants to compete for circuit awards and honors across South Louisiana. The rodeo was produced by BAR-L Rodeo (Billy Alleman Rodeo & Livestock).

 The special needs rodeo was held April 25 and offered free admission and lunch to all special needs cowboys and cowgirls, as well as their families.  Volunteers managed activities that included pony rides, rope exhibitions, face painting and a petting zoo and photo booth.

 “We want to thank all our sponsors, volunteers and participants who help to make this event to special each year,” Phelps said.