ALABASTER- 2017 Miss Rodeo USA Brittany Howard made a special appearance for students at Kingwood Christian School on the morning of Friday, Feb. 24. During her visit Howard promoted the Shelby County Cattlemen’s rodeo, and discussed her platform.

“This is the first time that I’ve come here. I’m really enjoying it, and the kids seem to be having a lot of fun,” Howard said. “So far, this is the only school in the area that I’ve come to, and I was happy to talk about the rodeo and share my platform. Rodeo is a wonderful sport and I’m so lad to be a part of it.”

Her platform, “staying focused on the ride,” encourages kids to create goals and keep working toward them.

“I tell people to take up a set of goals and how they can achieve them, which is how I became Miss Rodeo USA,” Howard said.

KCS principal Ruth Gray said she originally got the idea from a student’s family’s involvement with the Cattlemen’s Association.

“Brody McCall’s mom reached out to me and let me know about this opportunity,” Gray said. “We were immediately interested.”

Gray mentioned that KCS first grader Brody McCall is the youngest Cattlemen’s Association member in the state of Alabama, and he often helps hang signs, takes care of cows and attends Board of Director meetings with his grandfather, William Martin.

According to Gray, several other KCS students are already connected to the Cattlemen’s Association, and it provides them with a healthy outlet and a sense of accountability.

“The Cattlemen’s Association is an admirable and honorable organization. There are lots of men with who are good role models, if we can encourage our boys to be a part of a group with such a rich history of pride and professionalism,” Gray said.

Gray also said exposing other KCS students to the Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association helped to expose them to new things and offered new opportunities.

“We’re thrilled to have Miss Howard here today. It is certainly an honor for us. We want to expose our kids to everything the world has to offer, when it comes to opportunities,” Gray said. “You don’t always know what else is out there, and this makes this opportunity real to them.”

Gray said she hopes that her students learned from Howard’s visit, and hopes that it helped at least one student discover their passion.

“Hopefully, this will peak their interest at an early age. The world offers them so many negative opportunities. If we can offer a positive way to express their talents, that is certainly what we want to do, whether it’s this or martial arts,” Gray said.