2023 Sikeston Rodeo Chairman

Ethan Vasquez

I’m incredibly proud to be a part of such a great organization. Our Jaycee members spend a considerable amount of time making sure this rodeo is a success. They each understand the importance of this event to the community and work tirelessly to make sure it is an unforgettable year in and year out.

Originally from West Tennessee, I am proud to say Sikeston has been my home for 13 years. I moved to Southeast Missouri after obtaining a degree in Agriculture. Then I married my beautiful wife, Heather, and planted roots here in Sikeston. My wife is originally from Sikeston, and her family was the first to introduce me to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

I wanted to be a part of something and get involved in the new community I had just joined. That’s when I learned about the Sikeston Jaycees. The Jaycees provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change in their communities. Being a Jaycee teaches you how to be a leader and molds you into a better individual overall. You learn certain skills you wouldn’t have otherwise. I initially joined this organization to coach Little League football, and as you can see, the rest is history.

As a part of this renowned organization, I realize some may not know the variety of professional individuals who volunteer for many hours to put on this large-scale event here in Southeast Missouri, which is typically not known as “rodeo country.” There is a whole new level of pride that comes with being involved with the Jaycees, but this organization wouldn’t be able to continue this tradition without the wonderful sponsors and patrons year in and year out.

I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to be the 2023 General Chairman of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. This place, in this small town, has brought so much to our community and was built on the hard work of its members and the excellent leadership of past chairmen.

As the 71st rodeo chairman, I look forward to entering the arena before the first horse bucks out of the chute each night and scanning the crowd for those first-time rodeo fans, who will be gaining the full rodeo experience like I did when I first joined this community. I want to say welcome, and I hope you stay a while.