By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor CALF'S Featured Lady
C arla Purcella’s fiery attitude helps keep the Spicer Gripp Memorial a ropingfest that illustrates the unsurpassed spirit of her hometown of Hereford, Texas. She’s a key coordinator of the high-dollar roping that attracts the world’s best cowboys, while adding to a scholarship fund for ag students at West Texas A&M University. She and her husband, World Champion Team Roper Steve Purcella, operate Purcella’s Western Allee Western Wear & Gifts in Hereford. The “Allee” title is named after their daughter, a senior at Hereford High. Purcella grew up in Hereford, with a small stint in Iraan near Big Bend for couple of years. After returning to Hereford, her parents, Carl and Johnnie Alford, moved to a place that had an arena. They started holding ropings at the Circle A arena. “I enjoyed being around horses and cattle, but leaned more toward basketball back then,” Purcella says.“However, I loved the roping atmosphere. We had our arena and traveled to help with events elsewhere.”
Following high school, she attended Texas Tech University, then entered radiology studies and became an x-ray technologist. She was in the medical field 20 years. She and Steve bought the western store in 2008 and were immediately welcomed back to the community. “The first Spicer Gripp Roping was in Amarillo,” Purcella says.“I’ve been more involved the past 10 years,” she says.“I help with obtaining sponsorships, coordinating the roping events and overseeing the sponsors reception.” Carla Purcella
Gatherings
THE CHAOS OF THE MAKEUP AREA WAS IN FULL VIEW AT THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR ON LABOR DAY. FFA members exhibiting cattle, bottom, and sheep, top, jockeyed for a spot to enter the show ring. Parents, fitters and show staff completed the mix. As the saying goes, “There’s nothing more Nebraskan.” Photo courtesy Patti Wilson
THE OKLAHOMA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION (OCA) HAS LONG HONORED OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURAL YOUTH FOR THEIR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND DEDICATION TO FARM AND RANCH LIFE. This year marked the first presentation of the Ken Holloway Memorial Scholarship during the annual OCA Convention in July. Mr. Holloway passed away in 2022. His daughter, Shari Holloway, left, part of the Chattanooga, Okla., ranch family, presented the award to Turner Longacre, son of Jami and John Longacre. Turner is president of the Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen's Association and is to attend Oklahoma State University. Photo courtesy Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association
37
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator