Current Activities
| From the Southwest Times |
DUBLIN — Though it may seem surprising, there are more girls than guys that participate in
the Virginia High School Rodeo Association. Chelsea Gusler, a sophomore at Pulaski
County High School, is one of those girls.
Although she has attended the VHSRA’s state finals rodeo in the past, this will be Gusler’s
first year as a participant in the rodeo, which will be held this weekend at the New River
Valley Fairgrounds in Dublin. “I went to the state finals last year and just thought it would be
fun to get involved with,” Gusler said. With the help of some local rodeo enthusiasts, along
with friends who were already involved with the VHSRA, Gusler became an active member
of the association this year.
One such friend who helped Gusler to get involved with VHSRA is Ty Burton, who is one
among the minority of males in the organization. He will also participate in this weekend’s
rodeo. Burton, who is a junior at PCHS and serves as student treasurer of the VHSRA, said
this will be his third year involved with the organization. “I grew up going to rodeos and
being around horses,” Burton said. “Over the years, I just gradually got more involved.”
In this weekend’s rodeo, Burton will participate in the calf roping, team roping and cutting
events, while Gusler will put her skills to the test in the barrel racing and pole bending
events. In addition, she will be in the running for VHSRA Queen and will compete in that
contest on Saturday night, where she will be judged on horsemanship, a speech and
modeling, along with several other aspects.
Gusler said that what she enjoys most about being involved with the VHSRA is the fact that
the events are different from many sports in the way that they always seem to present new
challenges. And to add to that, the events are just “really exciting,” she said. Gusler, who is
the daughter of Craig and Karen Gusler of Dublin, also said that the VHSRA is very family-
oriented and gives her the opportunity to involve her family in the events, as well as grow
closer to her “rodeo family.”
Burton, the son of Chuck and Jada Burton of Fairlawn, said that he enjoys being involved
with the VHSRA because it gives him many opportunities to travel and meet new people.
Last year, he was given the chance to travel to Springfield, Ill., as he qualified for the National
High School Rodeo Association finals. Burton also said through the VHSRA, he now has
friends all across the state of Virginia and overall, he just likes being a part of the whole
rodeo atmosphere.
The VHSRA state finals will begin this Friday, May 30, at 6 p.m.Junior events will be held on
Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by high school level events at 7 p.m. Sunday’s events will begin
at 10 a.m. Admission to the rodeo is $5 for adults and free for children under 6. For more
information about the VHSRA, contact Jennifer Viers, state secretary, at (540) 980-2719.
the Virginia High School Rodeo Association. Chelsea Gusler, a sophomore at Pulaski
County High School, is one of those girls.
Although she has attended the VHSRA’s state finals rodeo in the past, this will be Gusler’s
first year as a participant in the rodeo, which will be held this weekend at the New River
Valley Fairgrounds in Dublin. “I went to the state finals last year and just thought it would be
fun to get involved with,” Gusler said. With the help of some local rodeo enthusiasts, along
with friends who were already involved with the VHSRA, Gusler became an active member
of the association this year.
One such friend who helped Gusler to get involved with VHSRA is Ty Burton, who is one
among the minority of males in the organization. He will also participate in this weekend’s
rodeo. Burton, who is a junior at PCHS and serves as student treasurer of the VHSRA, said
this will be his third year involved with the organization. “I grew up going to rodeos and
being around horses,” Burton said. “Over the years, I just gradually got more involved.”
In this weekend’s rodeo, Burton will participate in the calf roping, team roping and cutting
events, while Gusler will put her skills to the test in the barrel racing and pole bending
events. In addition, she will be in the running for VHSRA Queen and will compete in that
contest on Saturday night, where she will be judged on horsemanship, a speech and
modeling, along with several other aspects.
Gusler said that what she enjoys most about being involved with the VHSRA is the fact that
the events are different from many sports in the way that they always seem to present new
challenges. And to add to that, the events are just “really exciting,” she said. Gusler, who is
the daughter of Craig and Karen Gusler of Dublin, also said that the VHSRA is very family-
oriented and gives her the opportunity to involve her family in the events, as well as grow
closer to her “rodeo family.”
Burton, the son of Chuck and Jada Burton of Fairlawn, said that he enjoys being involved
with the VHSRA because it gives him many opportunities to travel and meet new people.
Last year, he was given the chance to travel to Springfield, Ill., as he qualified for the National
High School Rodeo Association finals. Burton also said through the VHSRA, he now has
friends all across the state of Virginia and overall, he just likes being a part of the whole
rodeo atmosphere.
The VHSRA state finals will begin this Friday, May 30, at 6 p.m.Junior events will be held on
Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by high school level events at 7 p.m. Sunday’s events will begin
at 10 a.m. Admission to the rodeo is $5 for adults and free for children under 6. For more
information about the VHSRA, contact Jennifer Viers, state secretary, at (540) 980-2719.
Photos by Daniel Covey
| Southwest Times Articles Read it here |
| Devin and Megan Altizer son and daughter of Terry and Dedra Altizer, grandson of Anita and Don Smith |
| Chelsea Gusler daughter of Craig and Karen Gusler and granddaughter of Louise Berry |
| Marcus Johnston, Son of Antonio and Rhonda Nottingham, grandson of Ralph and Pat Johnston, great grandson of Mildred Morgan |
| Please send pictures of your family's activities to post on web. Email to Ralph. Johnston@comcast.net or give them to me at church |
| Devin |
| Megan |
| Cara Covey, daughter of Duane and Cheryl Covey, granddaughter of Ralph and Pat Johnston, great granddaughter of Mildred Morgan |
Pulaski County High School students finish second in the River Ridge
District one-act competition to advance to Regionals to be hosted at PCHS
on November 15. A first or second place finish will advance to state
competition on December 1 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts
Center in Charlottesville. Devin Altizer received an award at the district
level and Megan Altizer received honorable mention.
District one-act competition to advance to Regionals to be hosted at PCHS
on November 15. A first or second place finish will advance to state
competition on December 1 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts
Center in Charlottesville. Devin Altizer received an award at the district
level and Megan Altizer received honorable mention.
| Devin |
| Megan |