Jonathan Catlin
MARCH 2018 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
26 for her fiddling , including International Western Music Association ’ s ( IWMA ) Crescendo ( Rising Star ) Award , and is a two-time winner of IWMA ’ s “ Marilyn Tuttle - Best of the Best Harmony Singing Award .” She currently reigns the fiddling world as the Texas State Fiddle Champion ( Freshman Division ), reigning World Reserve Grand Fiddle Champion ( Freshman Division ), Champion - Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering Fiddle Contest , and the Grand Champion - Bob Wills Day Fiddle Contest .
But it ’ s not only her awards in music that makes her one of our Horizon Awards nominees , it ’ s Leah ’ s deep love for horses and her heart for volunteering . She has spent over 100 hours volunteering weekly at local charity Stars and Strides Stables , helping people with disabilities through equine-assisted therapy .
“ When we first met Leah , she was 12 years old and wanted to come volunteer with us ,” said David Miller , founder of Star and Strides . “ We don ’ t let kids volunteer with us until they are 14 . So , on her 14th birthday , her mom asked her what she wanted to do and she said she wanted to come volunteer with us .” Leah also gives her time to the International Western Music Association serving as Program ( Education ) Chair for the youth . With all the success , it ’ s Leah ’ s faith that keeps her focused and grounded . She and her family perform at different churches on Sunday mornings , while her weekly Bible study group holds her accountable .
“ She is the most humble and sweetest kid that I know . She has such a servant ’ s heart . She is such a leader to those around her to the point that when her little brother turned 14 , he asked to also come out and volunteer with us ,” Miller explained . When she is not traveling or volunteering , she maintains a 4.0 GPA , teaches fiddle , is in training to show reined cow horses , and all while pursuing excellence in her musical career . She plans to continue her love for music as an adult while attending West Texas A & M to get a degree in the music industry .
Mecate Trammell
Humbled world champion
Millsap elementary sixth grader Mecate Trammell has already made a name for himself in the rodeo world . Riding since he was three-years-old , the now 12-year-old has honed his craft well and propelled himself to the top of his class by just recently winning the Roper Cowboy Market Place Championship in Las Vegas by riding a peewee bull .
He qualified by finishing in the top 15 at the Youth Bull Riders World Finals this past August in Abilene . Even though he has won numerous championships , saddles and buckles , he got into bull riding by sheer chance when he was four-years-old .
“ My husband and I grew up with horses but we never really rodeo real heavy ,” said his mom , Erin Trammell . “ We had some friends in rodeoed and said they were mutton busting and needed some kids so bring your son over . He got on that sheep and he was hooked . He thought it was the funniest things he had ever done . They picked him up and told him to hold on and he had a blast . As he got older , he got onto bigger animals . All those kids that do this are exceptional and are tough because they love it . They practice and work hard for their sponsorships .”
It ’ s not just his skills in the arena that makes him one of our Horizon Award winners . He is described as being an excellent student who is
well-liked by his classmates and is always joyful . He ’ s a young leader to those around him .
“ Mecate Trammell is a great student who works hard and excels at everything he does ,” said Millsap ISD Superintendent Deann Lee . “ He is a student who not only shows leadership in the classroom , but in all aspects of being a young student and leader . He models great respect and etiquette not only to teachers , but to peers as well . He is a rough and tough cowboy with traditional values and a personality that anyone could get along with .”
Mecate also enjoys everything outdoors , including hunting and fishing . His mom said that when he gets into something , he loves to learn everything about it . He is a lover of life , living one larger than himself , while not letting all his winnings go to his head .
As Mecate gets older and more mature , he ’ s learning to get out of his comfort zone and be more involved in the community .
“ Now in middle school , he ’ s doing more in the community . He ’ s getting involved outside of his little group and his family . I think he is a very mature kid for his age and understands concepts in his life that most people don ’ t understand . Instead of getting a big ego about it , he ’ s really calm and appreciates all of it . He loves to help people and loves everyone .”
Jonathan Catlin
Future Doctor
Weatherford High School junior Jonathan Catlin has his future