Daviess County youth taking her message of rodeo and agriculture to audiences throughout the region

Anyone who knows Carsyn Cecil, of Daviess County, likely knows she is not your typical 13-year-old. Being involved in 4-H, and on her school’s volleyball team, in addition, to having a love for rodeo and barrel racing on her horse Sunny, there is no doubt the Owensboro native is busy beyond her years.

So, it should come as no surprise that this middle school student just became the Junior Miss Rodeo Kentucky 2023 marking the first time, she had entered this particular contest. That is, no surprise to anyone except for perhaps herself.

“I was a little surprised since it was the first time, I had tried an event like this,” she said. “There was a lot to do for the pageant including horsemanship, speeches, interviews; lots of interviews, and I was a little exhausted but I’m glad I did it. I’ve grown up on the farm and have enjoyed rodeo as a barrel racer, so my mom and I found out about the Junior Miss Rodeo Kentucky pageant, and I decided to give it a try.”

Kimberly Bellah, Miss Rodeo Kentucky, Inc. President and National Director said Carsyn is the epitome of a 13-year-old, going on 30.

“She is responsible, kind to others, and goal-oriented, and while certainly joyful and youthful and able to live in the moment as she should, Carsyn also knows that holding the title of Junior Miss Rodeo Kentucky means she is serving as a positive role model who has a job to do,” she said.

Bellah added that when it is time to report for an appearance, Carsyn is professional, prepared, and proud of herself and her title.

In winning the pageant, Cecil will travel around the state and region serving as an ambassador for the Miss Rodeo Kentucky organization while sharing her talents and knowledge of rodeo and the farm with other students. 

“I grew up on a farm, so I understand a lot about it and that's really what I'm trying to do; teach others about agriculture and how the equine industry fits within it,” she said.

And, while not necessarily a part of her duties, Cecil decided to take the title one step further and develop a platform unique to her during her reign. She has begun to visit local elementary schools and read to students from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) chosen agriculture book for the year, “I Love Strawberries” by Shannon Anderson.

Her (Cecil’s) goal of reading in the elementary classrooms in her county is so critical in promoting both literacy and agricultural advocacy and working with her Farm Bureau to carry out this platform is a natural fit.” Bellah said.

Cecil said the idea of reading about agriculture came from Daviess County Farm Bureau-Central Agency Manager Gavin Roberts. He said it seemed like a natural fit for Carsyn.

“When I heard Carsyn won the Junior Miss Rodeo Kentucky crown, I knew this was a huge accomplishment for her and her family, and everyone was excited for them,” he said. “Her family has been farming in West Daviess County for many years and I knew their influence on agriculture along with this title would be a great opportunity to educate students about the importance of agriculture.”

Roberts reached out to Cecil’s mom telling her about the AFBF book program, and the project took off from there. 

“I knew Carsyn would make an outstanding advocate for agriculture and rural life and her goal to read to every elementary school in the county was great,” he said

Cecil emphasized that, in going to the “city school,” she found that many of her schoolmates knew little about agriculture and the equine industry, something she’d like to change.  

“I think it would be very cool for them to learn about it because we could use young people going out and talking about agriculture,” she said. “So, it's very special to me, because I grew up on the farm and I want other kids to know just how great it is.”

Carsyn, who is the daughter of Jaclyn Graves Cecil, and Brian and Deanna Cecil attends Owensboro Innovation Middle School. After completing her secondary education, she would like to attend Murray State University and compete on the rodeo team.

Some of Carsyn’s accomplishments include 2021-2022 Young Riders 4-H Club President, five-time Kentucky 4-H Horse Show (Speed Division) - Top Ten, and Owensboro Middle Student of the Month.

In her spare time, Carsyn enjoys barrel racing, pole bending, volleyball, youth worship band, and the Daviess County 4-H Feeder Calf Program.

The Miss Rodeo Kentucky organization and pageant competition selects one young woman in each division to serve as an official ambassador who will promote the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, our Agricultural Industry, and the Western way of life. Miss Rodeo Kentucky will represent the state of Kentucky at the annual Miss Rodeo America pageant. A primary outcome is to provide educational and career-building opportunities to these young women, who compete in the pageant, and to foster the growth and development of young women to be professional leaders of tomorrow.