When Anna Graham signed a letter of intent to join Pearl River Community College’s rodeo team last Friday, she made history.
The West Marion High School senior, the daughter of Heather and Jason Graham, was the school’s first ever to sign a rodeo scholarship.
“Starting in September, I will travel with PRCC through a series of 10 rodeos from Mississippi to Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas,” she said. “I will compete in barrel racing and I’m going to start in the breakaway in the fall.”
Graham has been riding since she was four years old.
“I didn’t start rodeoing until my sophomore year of high school,” she said. “I showed horses for a long time and it just wasn’t me. It’s really slow and I like to go really fast. Everybody is really sweet. It’s like a whole other family. They’re really welcoming. It’s very laid back. I love the atmosphere.”
Graham signed up to compete through the National High School Rodeo Association, and she and fellow West Marion student Jordan Holmes competed.
“It breaks down into each state or province and Mississippi has one,” she said. “Most of our rodeos are down here in South Mississippi in Poplarville or Purvis. It was just me my sophomore year and then we had another girl join our junior and senior year (Holmes). I’ve ridden in a good many rodeos now. There’s about 18 per year in the high school association and then I’ll run in a couple here and there in just amateur series.”
Graham said she thinks she was offered the scholarship because of her leadership skills.
“I enjoy putting stuff together and making things and I like to be a leader and get it done,” she said. “That was something that they liked was my leadership abilities. I’m also a perfectionist – a big perfectionist.”
Rodeo is relatively new at Pearl River Community College, according to Graham. Coach Robbie Shawl was on hand to witness her signing.
“They started the program about three years ago,” Graham said. “This year, they placed well in the nation in competition. They have two going to the national finals in Casper, Wyo., this year. It’s getting bigger. They are hosting a rodeo in Hattiesburg this year, which will be their second rodeo. That will be my debut of the season.”
Heather Graham said that one of the rodeos her daughter will compete in is a large one in Martin, Tenn.
“They will leave early and go Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” she said. “In Martin, there are no fewer than 5,000 for them to perform in front of. They all flock to the rodeo. In the pictures, you can scan the crowd and there’s not a place up there that they can sit. It’s the neatest thing.”
Heather Graham said Anna has had an interest in horses from a young age.
“She’s been riding since she could sit up,” she said. “She’s been around horse since she was born. When she was four, she took my horse and gave me a heart attack, because I didn’t think she was ready to compete by herself. Her daddy saw fit that she was and she took my horse and her until she passed away from cancer. She’s gradually worked up to where she is now. It blows my mind just to watch her. She can get on any horse and do anything. It never fazes her. I’m beyond proud.”
At PRCC, Anna Graham will be busy with classes preparing her for her future career.
“I’m going to do my basics and transfer out to a four-year university to get my degree in equine animal science and veterinary medicine with a minor in rehabilitation,” she said. “My family is very supportive of what I do. No matter what is going on, they always make sure that I have entry fees and ways to get to where in need to be. They’ve just always been supportive of this very horse-crazy little girl.”
West Marion High School Principal Gigi Dunaway said she is excited for Anna.
“I’m very proud for Anna and for our school,” she said. “This is a very big deal that West Marion High School can be known as having the first student to sign with the rodeo at PRCC. I’m excited that West Marion is a part of it and that one of our very own will be attending.”
Pictured Above: Anna Graham signs her letter of intent under the watchful eye of her father, Jason, mother, Heather and sister, Cassidy. At right is PRCC coach Robbie Shawl. | Photo Submitted
