The only professional rodeo in the U.S. managed by high schoolers, Wapello Pro Rodeo provides scholarships to FFA members.

For more than 40 years, two things were certain in the city of Wapello every July — there would be some hot days as summer took hold and some even hotter nights as the annual Wapello Pro Rodeo rode into town.

This year was no exception. The only youth-managed pro rodeo in the country kicked up the dust and brought crowds to town July 19-20, with more than 2,200 spectators taking in the sights and sounds of the 43rd annual Wapello Pro Rodeo.

“We’ve had really good weather for the rodeo this year, and a lot of people showed up for Friday night,” noted Rachel Hoeg, a senior at Wapello High School and vice president of the Wapello FFA chapter. “But tonight (Saturday, July 20) is supposed to be the bigger night, so we’re expecting a good crowd.”

Hoeg, along with Wapello FFA President and senior Kaden Yerington and Wapello FFA Reporter and junior Bonnie Osornio, were just a few of the dozens of local high school students from Wapello FFA to help organize the rodeo.

In addition to being a great way to spend an evening, the rodeo also serves as a fundraiser for the Wapello FFA scholarship program, which supports chapter members’ post-high school education.

Yerington said that while it’s a lot of work ahead of time, seeing the rodeo come together each year is worth it.

“Seeing everyone come together and seeing the final product is definitely my favorite part,” he said.

Hoeg agreed. “Also, it’s great experience. It’s not always enjoyable going all around Louisa County, asking for sponsors, but then you come into the rodeo and you really see that the work paid off.”

New advisor, same great event

FFA Advisor and Wapello High School ag teacher Taciana Bilek said while 2024 was her first year advising the chapter, it was definitely not her first rodeo.

“I’ve been around rodeo my whole life,” Bilek said, “but it’s a little different organizing one than riding in one.”

In addition to riding as an amateur growing up in Clinton, she also participated in rodeo via the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) while a student at Iowa State University.

“Putting on a pro rodeo is a completely different experience, but I’ve had a lot of help,” Bilek said. “Everybody’s been awesome, and they’ve answered every question I’ve had. I have a very supportive school administration and advisory committee.”

She said the Wapello FFA chapter has 40 students and almost everyone is involved in organizing, staffing or managing the rodeo.

“The students do everything from start to finish. I’m just here to advise them,” Bilek said.

Adults help out

Val Theobald, who leads the Wapello Pro Rodeo’s adult advisory committee, said she worked at the rodeo when she was in high school.

“We are one of a kind,” she said. “The best thing about this are the skills the kids are learning while they’re managing and operating the business of the rodeo. They’re learning lifelong skills.”

Her own experience with the rodeo was a little different. “It was not as big of an event back then because, you know, it’s been a few years,” Theobald said.

When Theobald was in high school, the event featured participants from the Iowa Rodeo Cowboys Association (IRCA). But it still drew big numbers to the county fairgrounds each summer.

“But now, this is a professionally sanctioned rodeo, a different caliber of event,” she said.

Pictured above:  Kids at the Wapello Pro Rodeo July 20. Photo by Corey Munson.

What’s next

Like Theobald, Yerington plans to continue helping with the rodeo after graduation.

“Even once you’re done with high school, you’re never really done with the rodeo,” he said, laughing. “You’re coming back.”

Hoeg said the rodeo really is a family affair.

“This really is a generational thing,” she said. “We have a bunch of families involved, I know my family has done it for years. When you have families coming to help, they are there to help you learn.”