UJHSRA Queen Harlee Stokes

HARLEE STOKES

2020 Utah Junior High Rodeo Association Queen

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GENTRY STOKES

Harlee Stokes at a rodeo queen competition in Weber County.

WRITTEN BY LACIE KOFORD

Western Wasatch Contributor

At only 14 years old, Harlee Stokes has accomplished and set goals that many her age haven’t even thought about. A motivated and driven young woman, Harlee isn’t satisfied with less than her best in everything she is involved in and makes sure that she gives her absolute best to herself and to those who look up to and count on her. Life for Harlee, like most of her peers, has been filled with setbacks and trials, but she is determined to only focus on the positive aspects of her life and knows that when she does so, those aspects will only grow, while the negative diminishes. Harlee understands the importance of adding variety to her life, so she makes sure to keep her interests well-rounded and meaningful.

Just starting her 8th grade year this year, Harlee already understands the importance of setting goals early and working hard to achieve those goals. Currently, her favorite school subject is her Skills for Success class, where she gets to learn about a variety of careers and steps to take in pursuing those career paths. As she has researched many career options, Harlee has set her sights on a veterinarian career. With this goal in mind, she is already start

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from Page 5 ing to take introductory courses in the field to set herself up for success when the time comes to pursue a post-graduate degree. While watching a documentary reality show on National Geographic Wild, “The Incredible Dr. Pol,” Harlee was inspired to pursue a career in veterinarian science. The show features Dr. Jan Pol, his family, and employees at his practice in rural Weidman, Michigan taking care of large and small farm animals. She would also like to work with farm animals in her future career and is committed to the time and schooling that it will take to achieve that goal. Harlee is not intimidated by the commitment she is making but sees it as a way to further her education, personal growth, and a way to help the western community that she is so heavily involved with.

Outside of the arena, Harlee loves to take dance lessons and hunt with her dad and brothers. Dancing for close to six years now and moving between two studios, she is excited that she recently has reached the level in dance where she can learn how to dance with pointe shoes. Currently, she dances at Julie Moffit Ballet School in North Ogden, but started dancing when she was 8 years old at a different studio. As with other areas of her life, she understands the commitment, both in time and skill, that progressing into pointe shoes will take. For years, she admired the beautiful ballet dancers dancing in pointe shoes and made the goal to reach that level. She’s excited to learn how to do beautiful turns and complicated movements at this new level. Harlee can usually be seen wearing cowboy boots or pointe shoes, two worlds that are so vastly different.

Another of Harlee’s favorite past times is going hunting with her dad and two brothers, both who are younger than she. This year will be her second-year hunting with the group and she is loving making priceless memories with her family and being able to see the beautiful nature that is so abundant. Last year, in 2019, during her first year of hunting, she was able to get her first buck, and she is looking forward to go-

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY UTAH HIGH SCHOOL RODEO ASSOCIATION

ABOVE: Harlee and 1st attendant Cheznee wait for the grand entry to begin prior to a rodeo competition. RIGHT: Harlee poses with 2020-21 Miss Rodeo Utah Kasadee Jo Jones during a rodeo. ing on her second deer hunt at the end of October. Being the only girl raised with two brothers and many male cousins, Harlee is used to being around all the boys and often can be found playing football, pretending to play PBR bull riding games, and roughhousing a bit. However, she also loves to spend quality time with her mother, building that relationship to its fullest.

Harlee was born with rodeo and the western way of living in her blood. Both her parents and their families were all heavily involved in rodeo, so the love of the sport was instantly instilled in her. She is excited to carry on the tradition that so many before her have built and sacrificed for. She instantly fell in love with horses and knew at an early age that she wanted to be involved in rodeo and competing. At only 6 years old, she started out with queen contests, riding old horses that the family kept for the little kids to ride. She loved spending time with her experienced horses and spent as much time with them as she could. She entered the Plain City queen contest, gave it a go, and instantly found success there. She immediately loved the feeling of succeeding and working hard towards a goal, so she has continued on that path ever since. Today, she still competes in many queen contests, but she also has found a love for

pole bending, breakaway, goat tying, and reigning events.

Some of Harlee’s accomplishments in her rodeo career so far have been most recently winning the 2020-2021 Junior High Rodeo Queen title just this past May. In 2019, she also won the 2nd attendant title. Making good friends who helped her along is what Harlee attributes to her success in winning the queen title this year. As the queen for the 2020-2021 year, Harlee will be able to go to various rodeos, representing the junior high association, she’ll get to help inspire little girls and those around her to follow their dreams, and she’ll be a spokesperson for the association. She’s also excited at the probability of being invited to attend a few pro rodeos along the way. Another accomplishment that she is proud of was being nominated to be a part of the all-star team along with her 12 year old brother. In this capacity, she’ll be a positive example and be able to give positive feedback for the junior high rodeos. The all-star team is comprised of a group of kids who were nominated to represent the western way of life, to reach out to other kids, and to bring in newcomers to the sport.

Reaching for goals in rodeo and in life is not a new thing for Harlee, but she is excited to continually set new goals and work hard to accomplish them. In rodeo, she wants to work towards making it to state finals in goat tying, breakaway, and pole bending, and she’d love to tie in at an 8 in goat tying. She also has set the goal to catch her calf at a 2 or a 1 in roping. Lastly, she’s excited to continue on to high school rodeo, queening, and eventually make it to college rodeo. Goal setting doesn’t end at the rodeo gate for Harlee though, she’d also like to work towards getting her drivers license, serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and continue on the path that she’s already on for veterinary school. With the work ethic and determination that she’s already set forth for herself in life, achieving these goals will continue to inspire herself and those around her.