FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
Senior plans to seal future in professional bull riding
BY CAITLIN GIDDENS Contributing reporter

Most seniors in high school are bogged down with deciding future plans, but William Seal of Whitehouse High School is sure of what he wants to do after graduation: professional bull riding.

But Seal wasn't always certain that bull riding was his future.

"We moved into the county and I started breaking horses and rode a calf," he said. "I told my dad I wanted to start bull riding and then I started competing the next weekend and I've been entering ever since. It's been crazy"

At first Seal was attracted to just competing in riding, and then he was interested in winning. He's earned the number one ranking for bull riders in the 4 States Division of the High School Rodeo Association.

"Since I started five years ago, I've been the High School Bull Riding Champion, Jacksonville Champ and FFA Champ, to name a few," Seal said. "There's never been a time when I doubted myself in competition, I tr y to stay motivated."

This collection of trophies convinced Seal he wanted to go pro. According to his father, Seal is considering joining either the Cowboy Pro Rodeo Association or the United Pro Rodeo Association after graduation.

"Competing can get expensive, especially every weekend," Seal said. "So whenever I started getting cash prizes it was worth it."

But this riding champion is also interested in his other pastimes and remaining close to his supportive family and friends.

"Besides bull riding, I like to go hunting, fishing and four-wheeling with friends and family," he said. "I have a little sister who never got into riding, but I guess she likes it because she always comes to the competitions."

"My parents have been so supportive through all this," he added, "and I couldn't have done this without them."

Seal would also like to thank his sponsors: Tom and Lisa Conner, Aldredge Construction, Jason Roman, Whitehouse Floors and More, 7 C Ranch of Whitehouse and Cheri Rome of Designs by Cheri.