story by Ruth Nicolaus
Katie O’Kief made one of the funnest trips of her life this summer, and she’s ready to go back.
The thirteen year old cowgirl, a member of the Nebraska Junior High School Rodeo Association, visited Nashville while she was in Tennessee for the National Junior High School Finals, and she loved it. While there, she and her family went to Broadway Street in Nashville, where there were lots of different diners and restaurants, each with great country music singers.
Katie, who lives near Garland, Nebraska, competes in the goat tying, breakaway roping, barrel racing, pole bending, and ribbon roping, where she is the runner for Sage Schrunk.
For her events, she rides an eight-year-old mare named Raya, who was raised by the family. Raya is best at barrels, and very friendly. “She’s the one that, when you go to the barn, will walk up to you and want your attention,” Katie said.
Katie is an eighth grade student at Seward Public School, where she loves reading and writing class. She loves to read, especially fantasy and fiction stories, and loves to write as well. Her favorite book is Wonder by R.J. Palacio, and she likes to write fiction stories, where “you can imagine stuff and make things up.” She’s also very careful about her homework, not hurrying through it so “I can make it as good as I can.”
Katie is in the honor band (playing baritone saxophone) and sings alto in the honor choir. She runs track and cross country, and is president of the Builder’s Club, a group of students who work with elementary students to make the school a better, safer place.
In addition to a trip to Tennessee, the O’Kief family visited New York City this summer. While there, they saw the musical “Wicked” on Broadway, and Katie loved it.
Her favorite food that her mom makes is tacos and pecan pie. Her favorite snack is chocolate chip cookies; her favorite drink is Dr. Pepper, and her favorite restaurant is Olive Garden.
As for pets, the O’Kief family has four horses (Raya, Riso, Alice, Willow), two cats (Sam and Spooky) and a border collie, Ruby, who sleeps with Katie and follows her around.
Katie has competed at the state junior high finals the past two years and at the National Junior High Finals this past summer in the barrel racing.
When she grows up, she’d like to be a neo-natal nurse or a veterinarian.
Katie has an older sister, Emily. She is the daughter of John and Stacey O’Kief.
