Alva Review-Courier -

These kids know "the cowboy way" because they live it. From the time they were in diapers many of them watched their parents, grandparents, siblings and family friends in the rodeo arena headin' and heelin' steers, running barrels, ridin' broncs and other favorite events.

Googling the meaning of "the cowboy way," it's described as "something that is passed down from generation to generation, it is not written down and the lessons are not forgotten because if you do forget a lesson you will be reminded of it ...." It's the strong work ethic of cowboys. doing the right thing. the cowboys code of ethics, etc.

South Barber School USD #255 in Kiowa, Kansas, has numerous students who rodeo. They look forward to the evenings and weekends when the horse trailers are loaded, they've put on their favorite boots, jeans and cowboy hats and head to arenas to do what they love with family and friends.

Having one of these youngsters as a neighbor, it's been fun to watch him as a little guy in his driveway learning to swing a lasso, to practice over and over barely throwing the rope around a fake steer head with the help of his parents; to mastering roping those horns and winning real competitions in rodeo arenas. It doesn't get more Americana than this scene.

You see these young cowboys and cowgirls proudly wearing shiny belt buckles nearly as large as they are. They have reason to be proud – the kids earned those buckles at competition often after years of repetitive practicing.

The following youth all attend school at South Barber and have ended their winter seasons in various rodeo associations, accomplishing many top placings and have merchandise to show for it. Now they look forward to competing in spring and summer rodeos.

Kate Perschbacher

The oldest of the group is SB senior Kate Perschbacher, daughter of Ryon and Brena Perschbacher. Rodeo has been a huge part of her life since she was three years old. Competing as a member of numerous associations, she qualified for the National Junior High Finals two consecutive years in Lebanon Tennessee. As a 7th grader, she placed in the top 15 in poles, making the "short go," and in ribbon roping her eighth grade year. Despite the Covid pandemic last spring she persevered and qualified for the National High School Finals at Guthrie in barrel racing.

Perschbacher's goal is to make another trip to the National High School Finals this year, with hopes to win a national title. She competed at the Heartland Youth Rodeo Association (HYRA) series this winter and walked away with the All Around saddle.

"There's no way I would be where I am today if it wasn't for my parents and Lana Smith" who has a successful rodeo history in addition to her profession as a physical therapist and currently practices at the Kiowa District Hospital, Perschbacher said.

Paxton and Linnie Clark

Brother and sister Paxton and Linnie Clark are the children of Bo and Creadence Clark. Paxton, age 12, is a sixth grader at South Barber. A member of the Heartland Youth Rodeo Association (HYRA), this was Paxton's first year to compete in Saddle Bronc Steers and he was the youngest competitor, yet won the belt buckle in that event and also the added money for the rough stock. He placed third in the bareback broncs.

Four-year-old Linnie is the youngest of the group and attends pre-K at South Barber. This was her first year in the association. She won a finalist buckle for making it to the finals in the Dummy Roping.

Jancey and Janda Goodno

Third graders at South Barber, twin sisters Jancey and Janda Goodno are the daughters of Justin and Janell Goodno. They compete in the HYRA.

Jancey Goodno won the 2021 All-Around Cowgirl for which she won a saddle, saddle rack and belt buckle. She competed in barrels, pole bending, goat tying, calf breakaway and steer breakaway. Jancey was the Finals Average Champion in barrels and goat tying. For these achievements she won five belt buckles, noseband, tiedown, reins, wild rags and an embroidered chair.

Janda Goodno competed in barrels and goat tying. She had the Second Place Finals Average in goat tying. Both girls won leather jackets, winter horse blankets and tool picture frames for barrels and goat tying.

Taisen and Tacksen Ricke

Taisen and Tacksen Ricke are the sons of Tyler and Cassidy Ricke. Taisen Ricke is a fourth grader and won the 2020 Northwest Oklahoma Junior Rodeo Association (NWOJR) Team Roping Saddle. He also placed third in calf breakaway and steer breakaway. At the Young Guns Rodeo he placed ninth in calf breakaway, seventh in steer breakaway and 12th in the team roping.

Tacksen Ricke is a kindergartner and won the 2020 NWOJR Dummy Roping Saddle. He placed eighth in barrels and ninth in goats. Tacksen won the Young Guns Dummy Roping Saddle and finished 11th in barrels and ninth in goats.

Steele Smith

Steele Smith, a fifth grader at South Barber, competes in the boys age 7-10 group in the Young Guns Rodeo Association in Dodge City, Kansas. In the finals this season, Smith won All-Around Champion Cowboy. He won a new roping saddle, a set of Tres Rios Spurs, a knife, a winter horse blanket, a saddle pad, three head stalls and a bucket along with monetary awards for achievements.

In the year-end placings, Smith was the third all-around, was second in team roping and goat tying, third in steer breakaway, sixth in barrel racing and 14th in calf breakaway. He is the son of Lana Smith and JD Smith.

Angelien Stewart

"Angel" Stewart, age 12, is a sixth grader at South Barber and is the daughter of Jeremy and Shawna Stewart. She has participated in HYRA for two years. She competes in pole bending, barrels and goat tying. Stewart looks forward to competing in a couple rodeo series this summer.