REGION VIII

JASON UNDERBRINK 520 Phillips Rd • Pleasanton, Texas 78064 210.854.7718 • jasonunderbrink@yahoo.com

STUDENT OFFICERS PRESIDENT - KATE MCNEIL VICE PRESIDENT - RYLEE DODSON SECRETARY - SYDNEY BLAIR

SECRETARY - CELINA FETTY 3005 Santa Ana St. • Corpus Christi, Texas 78415 361.739.9858 • region8thsra@gmail.com

STATE DIRECTORS / REGION OFFICERS PRESIDENT- TOM AASBO PO Box 787 • Asherton, TX 78837 830-999-3344 • tom@catarosaranch.com

Region VIII PERFORMANCE REPORT

By Rylee Howton – Performance Reporter J anuary was chilly but a great opportunity for Rodeo kids to show love to their community. The selfless members of Texas High School Rodeo Association Region VIII wholeheartedly donated items for our community service project. Our enormous gratitude goes to Kate McNeill, who helped in coordinating the project and collecting the items. We managed to donate several things, including saddles, bridles, and clothing.

Rodeo, like most sports tasks the body, keeping it strong. Strength of the body, the mind and character form an almost inseparable trio. As members of THSRA, we are privileged to partake of this wholesomeness. The horses are as sturdy as they are gentle, and it is imbued in our conscience that if the beast can be congenial to the less strong human, then much is required of us in our interactions with fellow humans. You can now clearly understand why Region VIII is so endeared to the community. Man has a duty to serve fellow man, in so doing the servant gains immense strength. We as a club are enjoined to those who have realized the gem of

Rodeo for the Community!

service, the likes of the esteemed Miracle Farm.

The TJHRA is committed to the betterment of the community, augmenting the organization’s mission statement to offer the youth of tomorrow in grades 6th – 8th a chance to be competitive student-athletes while expecting the highest of scholastic achievement. Eventually, the kids turn out to sportsmen worthy of a mention in the arena. The club is proud to mentor and guide our members to achieve good morals while learning a work ethic in and out of the arena. With a clear vision of the future, and a successful past we will continue to be a pillar of strength supporting the youth of Texas.

As mentioned earlier, the Miracle Farm is our companion in the noble mission of giving a second leaf of life to boys who have faced diverse challenges in their lives. The mission has an extended arm for these boys, beckoning to them where they think that the hurdle is insurmountable. The Miracle Farm has been a valued bosom friend since 1989. Hats off for the Miracle Farm, for it has seen boys who had thereto been hapless become men of strong minds, body and character. THSRA Region VIII is immeasurably privileged to be associated with the Miracle Farm. Little wonder then that the club is never hesitant to join hands with the Miracle Club. Today, the Miracle farm is incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. It is also an integral affiliate of the Children at Heart family of ministries.

REPLACE PIC OF NHSRA STUDENT ATHLETE OF MONTH WITH THIS PIC OF REGION VIII SERVING AT MIRACLE FARM

Miracle Farm is based on the Christian faith and the pillars of its existence are anchored on the living doctrine. As such, showing utmost regard for human life is an indispensable tenet in its charter and mission. Contemporarily, Miracle Farm is unmistakably mindful about tomorrow’s society, and its perpetuity, and leadership. In young boys, the stewards of the Miracle Farm envision robust men who will be the protectors of the posterity.

Life is a journey fraught by innumerable perils, once in a while, boys are tossed into the thorny terrain, by virtue of their descent or environment or nurture. The auspicious Miracle Farm has duty hastened to the rescue of the young souls. The mature folks there tenderly condition the lads to learn to look up to the cross for solitude; along they are indoctrinated to value servitude and solidarity. What a better landing for these young souls, for whom the popular culture lacked a soft spot, leaving them to just bob up and down as if tossed by the perilous sea of insecurity. A soft landing is an understatement as we forage for the apt diction of what the Miracle Farm has so far accomplished. It is only suitable to call it a home for the boys, for it abounds in acceptance and a sense of significance for the scathed souls.

As the adage goes, birds of the same feather flock together, THSRA and the Miracle Farm have many a times found a reason to come together for the benefit of the community. Sports have a way of bulldozing the inertia of inconsiderate conscience and stabilizing the resolve to make a positive impact. When the club got a window to extend their vitality, the members did so compassionately, almost compulsively.

There are many parallels between the Miracle Farm and THSRA; most outstanding is the fact that the two beacons of humaneness are as serious about today’s life as they are about tomorrows. The boys, who were in the Miracle Farm, now men of substance, must look back to the past shared at their former home with a sense of nostalgia. I came to this conclusion when I bumped into an erstwhile member of THSRA Region VIII, Shelby Herrmann. She was as enthusiastic about the activities of the club as during her heydays. Shelby has recently been seen mentoring some of our youth at our regional rodeos and is a 2X THSRA National Qualifier, College National Finalist, 2X American Qualifier, and in 2015 finished just outside the bubble in the top 25 in the 2015 WPRA World Pro Rodeo Standings. She is an awesome person, has great demeanor and doesn’t mind being a role model for others.

THSRA hopes that their gesture will be emulated by others. The Miracle Farm is receptive to all those who want to be involved with its mission to build a warm home for the needy boys. Those willing to donate should not hesitate in their good deeds. There is no donation that the Miracle Farm will not appreciate; finished head horse saddles and tack as well as western styled clothing.

There is a single last regional rodeo in the offing prior to the awards ceremony to be held in March, thankfully, Region VIII has been my family as well as home. To the Miracle Farm, let us keep serving our community in earnest.

Good luck to everyone competing at The Patriot, Jr American and the first ever Jr NFR!