Local rodeo team ropes new members

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Several area high school seniors recently committed to attend Lone Star College-Montgomery and participate with the Lone Star College Intercollegiate Rodeo Team for the 2012-13 academic year. The Rodeo Team, in its second year of competition, has earned several awards and titles in its brief existence, competing against many four-year universities along the way. James Zipperer, professor of economics at LSC-Montgomery, serves as the faculty advisor/coach.

"Our newest Mavericks are incredibly talented," said Zipperer. "Both in and out of the rodeo arena, they are top notch individuals. I look forward to working with them next year. I know they will add a lot to our team and to the college."

Joining the team is Brittany Burton, Magnolia, who currently attends Tomball High School. Burton, who specializes in barrel racing, plans to pursue equine studies and eventually transfer to Sam Houston State. Another new Maverick is Jarret Franklin, a resident of Navasota. Franklin is a senior at Anderson-Shiro High School, specializing in calf roping. He plans to pursue a degree in business and transfer to Sam Houston State University. The third newest team member is Ashton Cartwright from New Waverly. She attends New Waverly High School, specializes in barrel racing, and plans to pursue a degree in nursing at LSC-Montgomery.

For more information about the Lone Star College Intercollegiate Rodeo Team, contact Zipperer at (936) 273-7348.

Lone Star College-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of I-45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000 or visit the website.

With 75,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu .
Photo: Soon-to-be Lone Star College Intercollegiate Rodeo Team members include Brittany Burton (seated, far left) and Jarret Franklin (seated, far right). Also pictured (standing) are Deanna Burton (Brittany's mother), Becky Gustamante, academic dean at LSC-Montgomery, Lane Sparks, LSC-Montgomery student and current Rodeo Team president; and Cheryl Franklin (Jarret's mother). Pictured (seated) are Dr. Austin Lane, president of Lone Star College-Montgomery, and James Zipperer, professor of economics and Rodeo Team advisor/coach. Burton is a senior at Tomball High School and plans to pursue a degree in equine studies, while Franklin, a senior at Anderson-Shiro High School in Anderson, TX, plans to pursue a degree in business.