Native Youth 

This is a brand new page added to Indian Rodeo News.  Our goal here is to recognize all Indian children and teenagers who ride horses, rodeo, ranch, and kids who participate in taking pictures at events.

Each month starting with December 2002 we will try to feature a Indian Youth who is active in riding horses, rodeo, ranching, and photography.   


Do you know a Native Indian Youth who has worked hard to achieve their goals and accomplishments?  Would you like to be featured as a Native Youth role model?  Any Native youth ages 18 and under can be featured.  

Indian Rodeo News asks for you to send in your story about yourself, who inspired you to ride, rodeo, ranch, etc.     We welcome as many pictures you have to share with our readers.  Email your questions and or story to 
Gina@indianrodeonews.com 

To Read about the featured Native Youth from the previous months click on their names below to check out their stories and pictures.

December 2002: Nicole Tsosie
January 2003:  Kayonnie Badonie
February 2003: Whitney O'Rourke
March 2003: Charles Gottfriedson
April 2003:  Jenna Johnson, Liana Tom 
May 2003: Devyn Dennison, Jarrett Monroe 
June 2003: Tess Ducheneaux, 
Wade Marchand,
 Ethan Gopher
July 2003: Chantel Williams
August 2003: Trina Bowers, Bobby Louis, 
Desiree Smartlowit
September 2003: Raven Shade, Sammy Jo Bird
October 2003:  Ashlee Strom, Hattie Emm
November 2003: Sonya Goseyn
December 2003: 
January 2004:
February 2004: Nicole Welsh-Romo

Featured Native Youth

Name: Nicole Marie Welsh Romo

Age: 17
Family: Gracie Welsh (Mom), Arnold Valenzuela (Step-dad), Ryan J. Romo (Brother),John Romo (Father)Ruth Welsh (Grandma), Russell Welsh (Grandpa), , Verna Espinoza (Grandmother)

What Tribe are you a member of or descendant from? Yavapai/Mohave/Chemehuevi/ Pima - Enrolled with the Salt River Indian Community

Grade in School, name of school: 11th grade; Mayer High School, Mayer, Arizona

Activities you are involved in at your school: High School Rodeo and girls softball team

Pets: Jet and Rebel (barrel horses), Chunky and Jag (breakaway horses), Sassy (head horse), Danyel (pole bending horse), Oakie (cutting horse), other horses in training or for sale, plus Sarah (golden lab) and Shelly (Dachshund)


What events in Rodeo, Horse Showing, Showing cattle , photography, or helping your family are you involved in? 

In high school rodeos: barrels, poles, goats, team roping, breakaway, and cutting - In All-Indian rodeos: barrels and breakaway


What achievements have you made in your event you compete in or activities you are involved in? 

Arizona Jr. Rodeo Association year end champion in barrels and poles for four years, A.J.R.A. Florence Jr. Parada (Oldest Arizona Jr. Rodeo) All-Around '98 and '01, various Indian Jr. rodeos all-arounds, Josey Jr. World Barrel Race, Marshall, Texas, Reserve Champion '99 and '02, All American Youth Barrel Race, Jackson, Mississippi, Top 4, '02, Arizona High School Rodeo Association, Top 4 in barrels, poles, breakaway, and cutting for '02 and '03, National High School Rodeo Finals qualifier for '02 and '03 in above events, Barrel Racing Championships at Sells, Casa Grande, Sacaton, Bylas, Many Farms, Chinle, Payson, Gallup, San Carlos, Ft. McDowell, Whiteriver, Parker, Arizona State Fair, Southwest Indian Rodeo Association Barrel Racing Champion for '99, '00, '01, '02, Southwest Indian Rodeo Association All-Around Champion for '00,'01, '02, Navajo Nation Rodeo Cowboys Association Barrel Rookie of Yr. '98, Navajo Nation Rodeo - Barrel Racing Champion '00, '01, '02, Navajo Nation Rodeo - Final Four Showdown Champion '02, Indian National Finals Rodeo qualifier for '97, '99, '00, '01 (qualified but forfeited position to go to a high school cutting), and '02, I.N.F.R. Barrel Racing Champion and All-Around Champion '02.


What are your future goals in your events you participate in? 
To keep qualifying for the National High School Rodeo Finals and the Indian National Finals Rodeo, to train good barrel and rope horses, and to continue to improve on my roping.


Who is your ultimate hero? 

My mom. She has good business insight and runs a successful business. She has achieved alot in all phases of her life. She has been my coach in life and my best friend. She has a big heart. She is my mom.

Within the Rodeo world: Who is your ultimate favorite Cowboy(s) and/or Cowgirl(s)? 

In Indian rodeo - favorite cowboys: Jaycee Chino, Dennis Dahl, Ralph Romo, John Romo, Preston Williams, Ed Holyan, Terry Fisher, Bo Vocu, Anson Welsh, Travis Thom, Steve Romo 

T/D Rodeo Photo


In Indian rodeo - favorite cowgirls:
 Gracie Welsh, Shelly Vocu, Carol Holyan, Charlie Jackson, Terri Dahl, Brandi Janis, Bobbie Riggs, Debbie Robbins, Ruth Bitsui, Shannon Williams-Thom
These are all great people in and outside of the arena. They make Indian rodeo fun and competitive. They have helped me or encouraged me at some time or another.
They are great competitors themselves. 


What is your favorite TV show? The Simpsons and American Idol (worst auditions)

What is your favorite movie? Happy Gilmore, My Best Friends Wedding, and Tombstone


What are some of your favorite songs or musicians?

 Keith Urban, George Strait, Jamie O'Neal, Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flats, Aaliyah, Chingy, Nelly, Jay-Z, NBK, and any other kind of rap and country.

T/D Rodeo Photo

What do you do to help others? 
Generally, if anyone asks for my help, I will help them out in any way possible; for horse or rodeo-related issues, I have helped others at a rodeo or at our home arena with small or large problems.


When you grow up and graduate from school, what are your plans for your profession? 

I would like to utilize my education and be successful in a business-related profession. I would like to have my own business, so that I could work my own hours and have time to ride and compete.


Do you plan to attend college, if so, what is your major? 

Yes. Business. I would like to get into Real Estate Development (Commerical/Residental).


If you could give advice to another Native youth on how to get started doing what you are involved with, what advice would you give them?
 I would ask them what their goals are and depending on their response and level, I would either help them out myself or direct them to a reputable source.



If you were granted one wish, what would it be? 
To have all my family in good health.


What would you do to educate others about being a Native American Youth from your tribe?
 I would tell them about my tribal history, geographical areas, traditional clothing within each of my tribes, etc. My Grandma Ruth has always taught us about our Yavapai culture.She comes from the hereditary line of chiefs. She is speaks the language fluently. She is very involved with the Yavapai committees on culture, elders, land, housing, and the articles of association. My Grandpa Russell also teaches us about the Mohave and Chemehuevi from the Colorado River Indian Reservation in Parker, Az. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. My Grandma and my mom have also served on the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribal Board of Directors as well.
I would acknowledge our Creator and tell them how important it is to have him in our lives. I am very thankful for the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us. Everything from our heritage to our families and from our lifestyle to these wonderful creatures we call horses. These are all blessings from above. 


Link to the INFR 2002 photos of Nicole at the INFR awards banquet

Indian Rodeo News would like to thank Nicole, her mom Gracie" for taking the time to put together her story.    Nicole serves as a role model for other Native Youth who are interested in following her footsteps.   We are sure to see more of Nicole competing and winning in the rodeo arena!