Submitted photoHaleigh McNeil, a 2017 graduate of Enterprise High School, recently competed in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association finals in Guthrie, Oka.

Recent Enterprise High School graduate Haleigh McNeil won the World All Around Senior Cowgirl title while competing for a 13th year in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. 

Haleigh qualified in all seven events that she regularly competes, including barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, trail course, team roping, and ribbon roping.  While at the finals, she won the reserve champion title for the senior girl trail course.

The All Around award is given to the cowgirl that has accumulated the most points/placings throughout the rodeo year and at the finals rodeo.  This distinguished honor is recognized with a saddle, belt buckle, and a $1,000 scholarship. 

In all, Haleigh was awarded seven belt buckles, two sets of trophy spurs, a saddle, and $1,700 in scholarships for her accomplishments at the finals. 

Haleigh was a high honor graduate and senior class vice president at Enterprise.  She plans to continue her rodeo career while she starts college in the fall at Meridian Community College.  

The NLBRA was founded in 1952 as a youth rodeo organization.  Each year more than 2,000 cowboys and cowgirls, ranging from 5-18 years of age, from across the United States compete in various events. Rodeos are held at a local level between August and June to qualify for the chance to compete at the Finals Rodeo each July. 

Ray Stadium

A Dave Kimbrell painting of Ray Stadium – named after Dr. Charles A. Ray, a dentist who was a board member of Meridian High School when the stadium was built in 1937 – was recently brought to our attention.

The painting was a wedding gift from Mary Shannon, granddaughter of Charles Ray, to her nephew.

New vehicle in Neshoba

Mississippi Department of Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall presented Neshoba County Sheriff Tommy Waddell with a truck to be used with Neshoba County’s Inmate Litter Removal Program. MDOT partners with county sheriff’s departments to use inmate labor to remove litter from the state’s roadways. 

Cheryl Owens writes the Neighbors column for The Meridian Star. Submit items to cowens@themeridianstar.com.