IMESD and the Round-Up Association were thrilled to welcome 57 students to the 2025 Children's Rodeo on September 11th at the Round-Up Arena! The students were from eight school districts that IMESD serves in Eastern Oregon: Athena-Weston, Ione, Milton-Freewater Unified, Morrow County, North Powder, Pendleton, Pilot Rock and Stanfield.
The annual Children's Rodeo is organized for children with special needs ages five years through 10 years old. Participants enjoyed a variety of fun rodeo activities in the arena, from stagecoach rides and horseback rides to roping and riding hand-rocked specialty bulls. Each participant is paired with a volunteer cowboy or cowgirl who accompanies them around the events.
"We had a great time at our annual Children's Rodeo welcoming all our participants and seeing their smiles as they enjoyed all the great rodeo events just for them," said Michele Madril, IMESD Director of Communications.
IMESD would like to thank the Round-Up Association and more than 80 volunteers who made the event possible:
· IMESD Children’s Rodeo Coordinators:
Corrina Robinson, Assistant Superintendent/Special Education Director, and
Ashley Harsin, English Learner Specialist
· IMESD staff and volunteers
· Round-Up Association volunteers
· Round-Up Court and visiting royalty
· Cowboys & cowgirls
· School district staffs
· 35 high school students: FFA students from Pendleton and Pilot Rock and student athletes from Athena-Weston
· Marty Campbell, emcee
One of the individuals IMESD would like to especially thank is Marty Campbell, who has been the emcee for the Children’s Rodeo for about eight years. Campbell, Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at Pendleton High School, said he was asked to take over from Tom Melton.
Campbell said his daughter participated in the Children’s Rodeo for many years, which was always the highlight of her week. “She would get paired with some pretty cool cowboys over the years, most of whom were friends of mine. I was pretty excited to see the smile on her face. That same smile was on so many other kids' faces over the years, and I think that's the best thing about this event. I am glad this event allows students the opportunity to be a part of the greatest event in Pendleton,” he said.
Campbell said he also enjoyed seeing people come together to put together a great opportunity for kids -- from ESD employees to contestants to FFA members and others.
Campbell is stepping down as emcee of the event, but IMESD and the Round-Up Association are grateful for his many years of time and dedication.