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Exceptional Kids

Carmen George

(Updated: Thursday, April 28, 2011, 2:41 PM)

Cowboy and cowgirl life will again come alive for many children and teenagers with mental and physical handicaps across the Mountain Area Saturday thanks to the Exceptional Kids Rodeo -- an event packed with activities like roping, stick horse racing, and riding a real horse and fake bucking bulls and broncs.

For the Drosche family, whose three girls and eight boys have attended the kids rodeo since it began, the event is a yearly highlight.

"They talk about it every time they pass the rodeo grounds, wanting to know how long it is until it happens again," said Coarsegold resident Ann Drosche of her children. "It is very much a part of their lives."

The highlight for Drosche is watching her children interact with the many volunteers that help them rope and ride every year -- including queen and princess contestants, community members, firefighters, Pro Rodeo participants, students and many more.

"Everyone's just out there volunteering and being their buddy," Drosche said. "I think their being active and a part of the event means a lot to them."

Rachel Boswell, who has helped with the Exceptional Kids Rodeo since her daughter Jessica took it on as her senior project at Yosemite High School in 2006, said the event brings community members closer to children with special needs every year.

"One gentlemen arrived too early for the Pro Rodeo and asked to help with it," Boswell said. "He said it was his first experience ever with kids with special needs and it totally made him look at them differently. He had tears in his eyes, 'he said, thanks for letting me help,' he was so moved by it all."

The Exceptional Kids Rodeo is the senior project of Yosemite High School seniors Steven Bohna and Joe Doering. About 13 children are currently registered for the rodeo, with more likely to join the day of the event, Bohna said. In the past, participants have received a trophy, cowboy hat, bandana, shirt and a sheriff's badge.

"It's just cool to see them being happy and having fun," said Bohna, adding that riding a real horse is a highlight for many of them.

Joe Doering is teacher's assistant for the special education class at Yosemite High and said its his favorite class of the day.

"I look forward to it every day," said Doering of the special education class, adding that he's also looking forward to seeing many of the students in the class enjoying themselves at the Exceptional Kids Rodeo this weekend. "It's a lot of fun helping the kids. They're always laughing, always joking with you. They are really fun to be around."