story by Siri Stevens
story by Siri Stevens
Kate Dickinson lives 70 miles southeast from Green River, Wyo., where her family has been ranching in the three corners area since 1875. “I love it,” said the 18-year-old, who has two younger brothers, Ira (15) and Ian (9). “There’s always something to do – working with my 4H steers, moving cattle, roping.” They have a couple neighbors about an hour away. “I never measure anything in miles, it’s all hours.”
Kate has been home schooled until this year, when she will make the drive every day to Green River High School to participate in FFA. “It’s a long way but I think FFA is going to help me as a rancher and a contestant in rodeo so that’s why we’re doing this,” she said. ““I’ve always wanted to do FFA and Green River just got a program so I figured better late than never.” She is taking vet science, natural resources, and animal science at Green River and then her online classes include math, history, and the other regular classes. “Mom orders different types for different subjects,” she said.
Kate is the Wyoming High School Rodeo Queen, and won the pageant the first year she tried. “I wanted to be queen to represent rodeo in a different way other than being a contestant – and I wanted to try it.” Her strategy for the competition was simple. “I showed up and wanted to be what I was. I cleaned up, but I didn’t go too fancy with it.” She went to the High School National Finals in the queen competition and the breakaway. “It didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, but I had a great time; in the queen competition I forgot part of my speech because I was so nervous. In the breakaway I broke out and in the second round I missed. It was fun being around such good competition and watching that. You don’t see that kind of competition every day.” Kate watched every round. “I love it, I can’t help it.” Her favorite event is breakaway, but she competes in everything but girls cutting.
When it’s time to rodeo, her mom, Gerda, and dad Marc, who is also a pickup man and picks up at the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association Finals, along with Kate and her two brothers, load up for the weekend. Her aunts, uncles, and grandparents hold down the fort while the family travels. She likes being the oldest in the family. “It works out pretty good. I like to be in a leadership role and set the example.” She also likes showing her 4H steers. “It’s a blast. I love to be around my cattle – I love getting to fit those calves up and clip them.” She plans to attend college in Wyoming and is looking at an animal science or a veterinarian degree. “I’m not sure which one, but we’ll decide that in a little while.”
When it comes to rodeo, Kate is quick to say, “This isn’t about me, it’s about the investment everyone has made in me. I only started doing this as a freshman and people took the time to help me and that means the world to me.” She has a lot of people to thank, but wants to extend a huge thanks to her family, and the families of Dee Norrel, and Dean Finnerty. “I couldn’t do what I do without God.” Her favorite Bible verses are 1 Cor 9:24-27 and John 16:33.
