EMMA CAMERON
5 QUESTIONS FOR …
Emma Cameron started rodeoing and riding horses when she was 4 years old, but she didn’t begin queening and pageanting until she was 9, reluctant to “get off her horse.” Nine years later, 18-yearold Cameron has been crowned the 2018 National High School Rodeo Queen — a title not held by a New Mexican since 1969 — giving her a platform to represent both the rodeo and agriculture industries on a national level. Earlier this month, she graduated from The MASTERS Program, a high school charter offering dual credit classes, with an associate degree.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP AND WHY? I want to be a lawyer in the agriculture industry on an international level. … Whether you know it or not, everybody relies on the industry and on the people in the industry to put food on the table and provide resources for products we use daily. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HOPE WILL NEVER CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF?
I have always really told myself that I am willing to do absolutely whatever it takes to get where I want to go. A lot of times, especially this year, it has meant getting home at 3 o’clock in the morning and then getting up at 5 a.m. to be somewhere, and oftentimes it’s really challenging, but I see the benefits and I hope [that resolve] never changes.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE MOTTO?
something because requires I always people a in mental say, rodeo, my lose mom “Live more game even used your than the with to passion.” they most tell yourself win, me competitive It’s which and a time lot more than it preparation feels like it’s and worth sacrifices at the and moment. So live your passion, meaning it has to become part of who you are. You’re willing to do anything for it because when you’re living it, it’s more than chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it’s a part of who you are and what you want to be that it’s all worth it to you.
WHAT IS THE BEST AND WORST THING ABOUT BEING A TEENAGER?
as There teenagers are unlimited in this world opportunities to be involved for us and pursue what we want to pursue. We have unlimited access to study what we want to study, and be active in what we want to be active in — which, if you look at history, has not always been the case. The hardest part, though, is the distraction that comes with the increased opportunity and innovation. There are so many distractions that can take you away from where you should and want to be going.
WHY ARE RODEO AND PAGEANTING IMPORTANT TO YOU, AS WELL AS SOCIETY AS A WHOLE?
I grew up on the back of a horse. … Now, I’m graduating with the same people I met at the barrel races when I was 4. The community and the foundation that is the sport of rodeo, the work ethic that is expected, the level of competition that is expected and the level of sportsmanship that comes with the level of competition is incredible and something I wouldn’t trade for the world.