Life of a rodeo queen

As South Carolina High School Rodeo Queen 2009-2010, Brandi Campbell of Cartersville devotes time to promoting and educating others about South Carolina, its rich western heritage and the benefits of high school rodeo.

“I like the competition,” she said. “I like the barrel race, pole bending and goat tying.”

The 17-year-old senior at Robert E. Lee Academy in Bishopville was crowned in November after participating in pageant interviews, horsemanship patterns and giving a two-minute speech on “My State.”

Instead of modeling in evening gowns, participants walk the runway in leather dresses. Brandi said for all phases of competition, the contestants were required to be dressed in cowgirl outfits with matching shirts, boots, belts, hats and jeans.

Another perk of being queen is that you receive a crown, sash and coveted belt buckle.

“You earn a belt buckle with your name on it,” Brandi said.

The crown, designed to fit over her cowgirl hat, along with a leather sash, will pass to the next queen of the rodeo who will be picked from contestants in grades 9 to 11 who participate in S.C. High School Rodeo Association (SCHSRA). Brandi said she does get to keep a real crown and satin sash.

She said she is excited to represent her state and the association for her favorite sport.

Since becoming rodeo queen, Brandi has presided over the grand entry before each SCHSRA rodeo event. She selects the songs and the “sparkle girls” to ride in with her during her grand entrance carrying the American flag. She and the sparkle girls do patterns as they ride into the arena. She has also ridden in parades in Darlington and Turbeville since becoming queen.

A daughter of Dondi and Stephanie Campbell, Brandi said she has been riding as long as she can remember.

“I have always gone to rodeos and had watched the other women do it,” she said. Brandi told her parents she wanted to try competing. “They got me a horse, and I took lessons.”

Brandi and her sister, Morgan, travel all over South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia to compete every weekend August through November and March through May, said their mother, Stephanie. She said to compete in the school-age events in the rodeo, the girls have to maintain good grades. No failures are allowed. They have to have a signed form from the school stating they are passing all of their subjects in order to compete.

In January, Brandi was chosen as a co-captain of the Wrangler All-Star Rodeo Team for High School. She was selected by a vote of fellow Wrangler All-Star Rodeo Team members.

Members of the Wrangler High School All-Star Rodeo Team are appointed by the National High School Rodeo Association based on leadership qualities, academic eligibility and athletic achievements. Brandi said as members of the all-star team they are required to wear Wrangler jeans and Wrangler provides them with Wrangler competition shirts with their team logo and jeans.

This is her first year as a captain, and it is her responsibility to make sure the Wrangler name is announced at all rodeo events when the flags are being displayed during the grand entry.

When not competing, Stephanie said the family participates in trail riding.

“It brings the family closer together,” said Brandi. “It is a good family outing.”

Brandi’s other hobbies include dancing, shopping and wakeboarding.

While this is her fourth and final year in high rodeo competition, she will still be seen at the events cheering on her younger sister. After graduation, she hopes to attend a local college and major in dental hygiene, but she said she will continue her favorite hobby – rodeo.