Eric Miller - John Justin Standard of the West Award Member
Eric Miller received this year's John Justin Standard of the West Award. Not a stranger to sacrifice and hard work, he learned that being on a farm meant hard work after his family moved to Utah in 1977 and he lost his dad in a trucking accident. Taking on the roll of man of the house, he was putting up hay, helping with cattle and learning to ride a horse.
For several years, Miller joined cattle drives in Farson, WY and proved to be a valuable asset. He started in 4-H showing steers and participated in the Little Buckaroo Rodeo where he took home several trophies.
Miller attended Union High School but moved to Vernal and graduated from Uintah. He has an Associate's degree in Diesel Mechanics and continues to use this knowledge today at the Simplot Phosphate Mine where he has been a Preventative Maintenance Specialist for the past 16 years.
Eric enjoys being with his family and friends. He's not only been Mechelle's right arm for 19 years when it comes to pretty much anything, but his boys, Chris and AJ, have had him by their side supporting baseball, rodeo, hockey and whatever else they decided to pursue. Eric is also the proud grandfather of five.
Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo first had the pleasure of Eric's volunteering in 1995 when he and Mechelle sold beer in the stands and from there has been involved with many aspects of the rodeo. He has been a carpenter, electrician, chief cook, sound director, audio technician, gate man and even kid tender. He has shown what it takes to be Volunteer of the Year and received this award in 2009. Most times he is the backbone behind the scenes. If he's not easily spotted at rodeo time, look closer and you will find him tending to the score board or sound equipment, working slack, raising the American flag, acting as mechanic or a number of other odd jobs that help insure the rodeo comes off without a hitch. He doesn't like to be in the spotlight or make a big deal out of who is assigned to what job. He just does what needs to be done.
Eric's son says, "He works hard in everything he does. Half-assed is not something he is. I'm quite certain that a lot of the success I've had comes from the values he has instilled in me. He taught us to always do the right thing, help someone in need and don't expect anything in return. Just be the best person you can be. For that I am thankful."
The Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo committee wants to thank Eric for all the hard work and effort he has put into the rodeo to make sure it is one of the best. He has truly represented the John Justin Standard of the West way of life.
Brandt Holmes - Volunteer of the Year
Twenty three year old Brandt Holmes was voted Volunteer of the Year for 2011 Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. He is the youngest son of Dwayne and Leann Holmes of Vernal, UT. Brandt is currently employed with EOG as a pumper.
Holmes has competed in numerous welding competitions, taking second place at the Utah State Welding Competition while representing Uintah Basin Technology School and Uintah High School. He has also been a member of YHEC (Youth Hunter Education Challenge) and competed at state and national levels in animal identification, safety trail and orientation as well as archery, .22, muzzleloader and shotgun shooting. Though he has graduated out of the program, Holmes can be seen volunteering and helping the club whenever he can. As the state competition was held in Vernal this year, Holmes could be spotted front and center helping to coach our local team.
Top on his list of extracurricular activities is baseball and hunting. He is currently on the Vernal City Baseball League. He shot his first archery elk in the fall of 2006. He, along with his dad and brothers, packed horses into the Book Cliffs and had such a great time they're ready for round two. He loves to be outdoors. He enjoys being with family and friends. Whenever hunting is thrown in the mix, he's ready to go. It's a good thing that rodeo season doesn't interfere with hunting season.
Brandt Holmes is one of a kind. There's something special about a sixteen year old who shows up to the Western Park wanting to spend his time working. Sixteen is how old Brandt was the year he first volunteered at the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo and he hasn't missed a year yet. He first started out setting up autograph booths, hanging lights, setting up tables and chairs then graduated to filling coolers behind the chutes, assisting Eric Miller with the sound system and scoreboard and helping out the grand entry.
Brandt is always willing to help and is always only a holler away. He has been showing up for seven years without pay. These days, that's a pretty rare occurrence. DRR is proud to call him one of their own and hopes he'll be around for more years to come. They want to thank him for his dedication and commitment to Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo.
