“I got my first pair of boots and first hat at Cavender’s,” said Kinley Lowry, a first-year member of Team Cavender’s. “A former member of the rodeo team, Jolee Alvey, reached out to me and told me about the team.
“So, I went on their website and read a little more about it and decided to apply,” she added. “I officially signed with them this past August.”
Kinley Lowry is a senior at Chapel Hill High School in Mount Pleasant, Texas. While she is an active member of Team Cavender’s and the Texas High School Rodeo Association, she said she has her sights set on attending veterinary school at Texas A&M University.
“I have always wanted to be a vet since I was very, very little,” she said. “I love animals so much. I want to be able to be a vet and help them and their owners as much as possible.”
Lowry said she is currently a dual-enrolled student at North East Texas Community College, earning college credit hours while still in high school. She said this would give her a head start on her college career.
“I am planning on attending Texas A&M-Commerce after I graduate,” she said. “So, the classes I am taking at NTCC right now will help me start as a sophomore or a junior when I get to Commerce.”
As a current member of the National Honor Society, Lowry said she wants to continue that trend of academic excellence by being a part of the Honors College at A&M-Commerce, where she will study Pre-Veterinary Science with a minor in equine science to prepare her for vet school.
Lowry said her involvement in the FFA organization helped her chase her dream of attending vet school. She said she serves as treasurer on her FFA chapter’s officer team and is heavily involved in the organization.
“I do Leadership Development Events and Career Development Events,” she said. “In the fall, I compete on the Agricultural Advocacy and Agricultural Issues team, and this spring, I will compete on the vet science team and the horse judging team.”
According to a description on the National FFA website in Veterinary Science CDE, students will work in teams to demonstrate their technical knowledge with small and large animals. They complete written exams, scenario questions, identification, and hands-on practicum.
“Our team made it to the state contest in vet science last year,” Lowry said. “When we were getting ready for the contest, we had a local vet come and talk to us. That was really cool to be able to ask him questions and learn from him.
“Being on the team has helped me learn a lot about certain skills and instruments used in equine medicine,” she said. “I can carry all those skills over to my horses and my rodeo career.”
Lowry said she hopes to work towards buying a WPRA card, but vet school and a career in veterinary medicine will be her main focus once she starts attending classes at A&M-Commerce.
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