The Newton Rotary Club was treated to an informative presentation about high school rodeo competition from the Newton High School students who participate in this challenging sport. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Lauren Higgs and Monica Buerster, and in the back row, chairperson Rotarian Torrey Wolf, Preston Schafer and, Preston’s mother, Tina Schafer, who is the secretary for District #3 for High School Rodeo. District #3 has a dozen members, with three NCHS students. Rodeos were very popular during the early part of the last century, and when younger people became interested, high school teams started to pop up by the late 1940’s. More recently, events have been added for younger students, too. The team has four big events each Spring and again each Fall. They will compete in Monticello on September 21, and in Palestine on October 12 and 13, and encourage people to come and cheer them on. Find out more on facebook at “Jasper County Jr/Sr High Rodeo” or the Illinois site www.ilrodeo.com.
