Lots of yee, lots of haw! Western day at HSU an adventure for kids

Greg Jaklewicz, Abilene Reporter-News
·1 min read
Will Cradduck records Western Heritage Day at Hardin-Simmons University on Thursday using his cellphone, a tool not many cowboys had back in the day. In the foreground is Sunflower, one of two Texas longhorns brought from the state herd at Fort Griffin in Albany.
Will Cradduck records Western Heritage Day at Hardin-Simmons University on Thursday using his cellphone, a tool not many cowboys had back in the day. In the foreground is Sunflower, one of two Texas longhorns brought from the state herd at Fort Griffin in Albany.

The settin' was just rawght.

Smoked drifted from a campfire, where branding irons lay in coals.

The Cowboy Band played, providing a soundtrack.

And their longhorns and White Horses and, well, a little horsing around. Which landed more than a few youngsters in jail in front of Sandefer Hall. With a promise to behave, they were set free, giggling the entire time.

Hawley first-graders got to hang out a few minutes at the jail at HSU's Western Heritage Day Thursday. To get out, they had to promise the jailer "I will never come back again!"
Hawley first-graders got to hang out a few minutes at the jail at HSU's Western Heritage Day Thursday. To get out, they had to promise the jailer "I will never come back again!"

All was well Thursday morning on the Forty Acres, where Hardin-Simmons University welcomed junior cowboys and cowgirls to campus on a sunny day in West Texas.

∎ Coming this weekend in print and online: HSU's World Famous Cowboy Band celebrates 100 years.

For the 41st year, HSU presented Western Heritage Day, a combination showcase of history and head-start recruiting. First-graders and kindergarteners likely weren't thinking about college, but why not lead them in a chant? "HSU! HSU! HSU!"

Teacher Herminia Cano takes a photo of her Martinez Elementary School kindergarten class after they watched a branding demonstration.
Teacher Herminia Cano takes a photo of her Martinez Elementary School kindergarten class after they watched a branding demonstration.

Teachers and adult chaperones herded groups of wide-eyed students - many in color-coded T-shirts and one group from Bassetti Elementary in bright green bandannas - around the central campus area that included the pond. The geese didn't seem to mind the commotion.

A young cowpoke named Christee pokes at his cowgirl friend Cordelia at Thursday's Western Heritage Day at Hardin-Simmons. The group of Purcell Elementary kindergarteners wore green bandannas in the spirit of the event and so that their teacher could keep them herded.
A young cowpoke named Christee pokes at his cowgirl friend Cordelia at Thursday's Western Heritage Day at Hardin-Simmons. The group of Purcell Elementary kindergarteners wore green bandannas in the spirit of the event and so that their teacher could keep them herded.

Students were told stories and watched ballet folklorico dancers spin, bowing and clapping in their colorful outfits.

HSU President Eric Bruntmyer, wearing a purple shirt and blue jeans, mingled as did older students going to or returning from class.

Girls can rope with the best them, a youngster shows Thursday at HSU's Western Heritage Day. She roped the "steer" and then pulled tight.
Girls can rope with the best them, a youngster shows Thursday at HSU's Western Heritage Day. She roped the "steer" and then pulled tight.

As field trips go, this is one of the best each year for students from Abilene and area schools. Where else can you learn how to rope a steer, and actually do it?

It also gets the city in the mood for the upcoming Western Heritage Classic, which is May 11-14 at the Taylor County Expo Center.

Hardin-Simmons has a unique way to brand itself - by branding itself. Youngsters at Thursday's Western Heritage Day watched a demonstration, then took home a souvenir
Hardin-Simmons has a unique way to brand itself - by branding itself. Youngsters at Thursday's Western Heritage Day watched a demonstration, then took home a souvenir

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Lots of yee, lots of haw! Western day at HSU an adventure for kids