poetry in elementary grades 1 thru 5. This was done in an effort to perpetuate the
cowboy way of life and give the children an appreciation for their western heritage.
The SCA contacted several schools and asked them to participate in our "January is
Cowboy Poetry
Month" workshops and contest. To date, schools in Wright, Gillette, Buffalo, and
Sheridan, Wyoming; Hardin, Montana; and timber Lake, South Dakota have
participated. Schools are contacted and, if interested, select a date for SCA
members to visit their schools to work with the children, teaching them how to write a
cowboy poem. In 1997 members
mainly entertained the children but in 1998, the members entertained only about 10
minutes out of an hour. The remaining time is spent helping the children write a
poem, first as a class, and then, providing any necessary help to get them started,
with their own poems. Through a teaching manual, authored by SCA member and
co-founder, Deb Sustrich, and a packet of information, the association has provided
a Cowboy Poetry curriculum that gives teachers the material to begin working with
their students in advance of the SCA members visiting their classrooms.
The manual has been published officially and is for sale through the SCA. We are
hoping to get the funding necessary to make this a full-time event.
We are grateful for the support of the schools who allow the teachers
and students to participate in this program.
To sign your students up for the 2008 Cowboy Kidz Program click here.
2007 Grand Champion Poem and Performer went to repeat winner Keely
Rockafellow. Clearmont Elementary Student Keely is the daughter of Stacey &
David Rockafellow of Clearmont, Wy. Keely is no stranger to the cowboy
poetry stage. She has been perfoming since the 1st grade and has won the
top honors in the Cowboy Kidz Poetry contest 3 times and been reserve
champion almost as many. Her poem this year is about her family's old barn.
Our Old Barn
by: Keely Rockafellow
If these old barn walls could talk
The story they would tell
Of the happenings that went on
That only our barn knows so well
This old barn was built in 1932
With boards bought in Arvada and Clearmont too
Built with hand labor and neighbors they all
The barn was finished late in the fall
The loft, stalls and stanchions were cleaned out
So friends and neighbors could dance all about
All animals counted pencil and pad without
That's why there's tally marks on each beam no doubt
Horses a lot and cats quite a few
Lived in the barn with a mouse or 2
Saddles and harness hang there now
Sheered sheep and milked even a cow
The Foundation is in danger
There's no hay in the manger
There aren't many old barns anymore
That can tell as many yarns as before
HEAD TO HEAD
By 6th Grader Bryce Burnell
One summer day at the WJRA I drew this big old steer.
He was long and lean
The biggest I’ve ever seen,
So I paid my fees and got my gear.
I got down on my steer and nodded my head,
The first jump was all right the second jump was quite a fright
My feet went back, my face went down,
my nose hit the steer right on the crown.
My eyes were black
My nose was blue
I cried like a baby,
But so would have you.
The Reserve Champion poem was awarded to Lena Frappier with
a poem that is a tribute to her dad.
My Dad's Cowboy Hat
Dad's cowboy hat rests on the wall,
Not full of life like how I recall.
Dad was a character, he always told jokes,
All around town to all the folks.
Dad wore his hat with his nice shiny belt
Bringing in cattle at a branding
Would always make my mom's heart melt.
I believe he'll watch me wearing it proud
So I will never have to feel alone in a crowd.
When I'm feeling really, really sad,
I put on his hat and remember him always, my Dad.
