Sikeston is Home. It has always been home to me. I was born and raised right here in Sikeston Missouri. My wife Sheila and I moved back after college to Sikeston to start a family in our community. The Rodeo and the Jaycees played a big part in me coming back to Sikeston.
I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to be the 2022 General Chairman of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. This place, in this small town, has brought so much to our community and was built on the hard work of its members and the leadership of an excellent line of past chairmen.
The passion our members have for both the Sikeston Community and the Rodeo is in good hands for years to come. We as a committee will continue to work hard and build on the success of the generations that came before us to leave something great for the generations that follow.
The things the Jaycees teaches you can’t be taught in a classroom. If you really connect with the organization, you can enhance skills that will help you be a better leader and business owner. The compassion one gains out here are measureless. You are able to find a whole new meaning for community pride by being involved with the Sikeston Jaycees.
I most look forward to seeing our patrons and sponsors enjoying their entire experience at the Rodeo each night. A significant amount of time and effort goes into the Rodeo each year to make sure our patrons and sponsors get the best entertainment package we can possibly give them. Many people do not realize that it takes over 600 volunteers for the Jaycees to be able to hold a large-scale, multi-day event like the rodeo. The Jaycees you see working at our Rodeo sacrifice their own personal time all year long to make sure we can have a Rodeo in August along with our other events throughout the year. Without our volunteers, patrons, and sponsors, the Rodeo would not be here.
Like most people that grew up in Sikeston, members of my family, from both sides have served on many levels of the Jaycee organization for years from Rodeo Chairman to Club President. I have been very fortunate to be able to lean on these family members from advice and guidance as I grow in the Sikeston Jaycees.
The 2022 Rodeo, like every rodeo in the past, would not be without the support of our families. Every member spends a considerable amount of time making sure this Rodeo is a success while our families hold down the home front so we as Jaycees can try to bring something good to our committee. They also understand the importance of this event to the community and afford us the time to make sure it is a success year in and year out.