04/26/2026
When the Voice of the Arena Fails...
Yesterday morning at the District 9 High School Rodeo, my voice did something it’s not supposed to do as an announcer. It cracked. I broke down, and for a moment, the arena went quiet.
I want the District 9 families to know why that happened.
I didn't break down because the script was sad. I broke down because every word I was reading is the truth I’ve lived. I’ve been in that dark place. I’ve felt that crushing weight where you think you’ve reached the end of your rope. I know what it’s like to feel invisible in a crowded arena.
The only reason I was standing behind that microphone yesterday is because someone cared enough to reach out and pull me back. Someone gave me the strength to continue when I had none left.
When I looked out at you all and saw that purple and teal flag circling the dirt, I didn’t just see a cause—I saw my family. And the thought of any of you carrying that weight alone is what broke my voice.
To the cowboys and cowgirls: If you saw me struggle yesterday, I hope you realized that it’s okay to show the grit and the pain at the same time. That’s what real strength is. You don’t have to "cowboy up" and suffer in silence.
If you are hurting, please reach out. Call or text 988. And like I said yesterday—if you feel like you don’t have a place in this world, come find me at the announcer's stand and sit by me. You have a family here that extends far beyond blood, and we will never let a rider stand alone.
One conversation saved my life. Let’s start having those conversations for each other.
[Link to Document]