About US
Who Are We?
THE WAPELLO PRO RODEO IS ONE OF A KIND – THE ONLY RODEO IN THE NATION FULLY OPERATED BY A HIGH SCHOOL ORGANIZATION. THE WAPELLO FFA IS PROUD TO BRING RODEO TO WAPELLO, IA FOR OVER 40 YEARS!
Annually high school students comprised of the Wapello FFA Chapter plan, manage and make all arrangements to host the annual ProRodeo. This is a fundraiser for Wapello FFA providing scholarships, student development, state, and national convention registrations. They continue to work hard on bringing family-friendly entertainment to Louisa County and also provide a community equestrian arena. The long term plan is to continue developing the park into a multi-use recreational area; including baseball diamonds, a covered arena, outdoor track and much more.
In 1981, the Wapello FFA student chapter and their advisor, Ron Stover, took a big step to bring bucking horses and rodeo bulls to their hometown. FFA members worked hard to get it all together, even building gates in class to make the arena and then selling them to farmers for fundraising. The Wapello Pro Rodeo has been going strong ever since.
In 2009, the FFA members and advisor, Irv Meier, held true to their motto: Step up and step out. Just as their parents and other FFA members before them, they have taken the challenge to make the show better than ever before. With only months to go, they made a major leap hiring Barnes PRCA Rodeo and received Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioning status with the support of their community.
Wapello FFA Senior Spotlight
Jacie Hoeg is a senior at Wapello High School. She has been involved in FFA since 7th grade, and competed in many CDE's, LDE's and held multiple officer positions. Jacie has helped with the Wapello Pro Rodeo for many years. Jacie will be Iowa State University to major in Human Resource Management and minor in Agricultural Studies.
Zach Harbison has been in FFA 6 years. He has helped at the Wapello Pro Rodeo behind the chutes for 4 years, and he plans on attending Kirkwood Community College and then Northwest Iowa Community College to become a Lineman.
Emily Hemphill has been involved in FFA for 6 years. Emily has competed in many contests and helped with the rodeo by selling ads for many years. Emily plans on attending Mount Mercy University to play volleyball and study sports psychology.
Robert Vasquez is a first year FFA member, and has stepped up in the agricultural classes. Robert is planning on Des Moines Area Community College to study HVAC.
Jackson Lanz is a long time member of the Wapello FFA, where he has helped with the Wapello Pro Rodeo many years. He has traveled to both state and national convention. His future plans include working on the family farm.
Ada Boysen is a member of the Wapello FFA, who has held officer positions and worked the Wapello Pro Rodeo for many years. Ada is planning on continuing her education at St. Ambrose where she will play softball and study to become a doctor.
Wapello FFA OFficers
President - Kaden Yerington
Vice President - Rachel Hoeg
Secretary- Jakayla Nelson
Reporter - Bonnie Osornio
Treasurer - Alexis Brown
Sentinel - Gavin Schmelzer
Student Advisor - Coy Wiley