Community Builder, Top Honour
Kathy Sheppard, 54, of Cloverdale is this year's recipient of the Community Builder Award.
"I'm a little overwhelmed," she said, calling it a "huge honour."
As president of the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Association – a volunteer role – Sheppard is pretty much involved in every aspect, every square inch of its operation. Her favourite thing about it falls in line with this award she's won.
"My favourite thing about the rodeo is it brings our community together," she said. "I'm gonna cry. Just so you know, I cry every time I start talking about Cloverdale and I cry every time I start talking about the rodeo because I'm 54 years old and this is what happens."
Sheppard shouldered the challenge of bringing the rodeo and country fair back in 2023 after a three-year pause because of the pandemic.
She considers herself to be a "behind the scenes kind of person" as opposed to being in the limelight. "I grew up in Cloverdale, I'm fourth generation part of our association and I live in cow town actually, around the corner from where I grew up. We give back to the community because it's community pride. My grandparents were really involved in the Legion, my great-grandparents were involved in the association on the agricultural side, my great-grandfather was one of the butchers in town in Cloverdale back in the day. My mom was the first rodeo chairman of the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition – we've always been involved."
Sheppard has worn a mascot costume, been part of the parade, dealt with sponsors, "every part of it. It's family to me. Our rodeo association is family, we know everybody. It's a small world but you know it takes our whole village to put our association on the map. And the Cloverdale Rodeo, it's internationally known. You go down to the States and if you talk about the Cloverdale Rodeo they're like 'Oh, the big red barn, I've been there,' or 'I want to be invited to that rodeo.' It's a big deal."
She is married, has two teenagers and is a pharmaceutical sales rep.
