A story in today’s Simi Valley Acorn tells about Nicole Vassallo, a recent graduate of Grace Brethren High School who is competing in the California High School Rodeo Association. (The school is a ministry of Grace Church, a Charis Fellowship congregation in Simi Valley which is pastored by Jordan Bakker.) A portion of the story appears below. Click here to read the complete story.
RODEO /// Team roping
Simi Valley woman qualifies for state finals
If the California High School Rodeo Association had a rookie of the year award, Nicole Vassallo would be at the top of the list.
In her first season competing in the high school circuit, Vassallo, who graduated from Grace Brethren High on May 25, has earned a spot in the team roping event at the state finals, which takes place June 10 to 16 in Bishop, Calif.
Two ropers work together to bring down one steer. The first rider, known as the header, attempts to lasso the steer’s head before the heeler tries to snatch both of the animal’s hind legs.
Vassallo’s a header.
“She’s going to state with kids who have been roping since they were probably in diapers,” said Sarie Vassallo, the 18-year-old’s mother. “I don’t think she realizes how good she is.”
Vassallo’s heeler, Zane Pratt, a roper and Vasquez High baseball player from Acton, has reached the state rodeo three years straight. He’s been roping for eight years.
Vassallo has been riding horses since she was 5, and she frequently took lessons from Vic Pagano, a family friend and Newbury Park cowboy.
Click here to read the complete story.