The 2022 Blue Boot Rodeo was an unquestioned success with massive crowds turning out to Grand Isle in droves to help the rodeo’s worthwhile trigger.
However arguably the largest win of the 2022 occasion did not occur in Grand Isle, however occurred just a few weeks in the past in Baton Rouge within the type of laws that would hold kids safer when on the water.
The Riley Bourgeois Invoice (Act 722) handed by the 2022 Legislative Session and was signed into regulation earlier this summer time by Governor John Bel Edwards.
The invoice will mandate Water Security Schooling for all Louisiana public college college students – one thing that may nearly actually hold kids safer when on the water.
The invoice was crafted by native State Rep. Joseph Orgeron, and it’s now regulation.
With the regulation now on the books, the Blue Boot staff says they’re grateful for the continued help they’ve acquired towards selling water security training and drowning prevention.
“Our committee and our volunteers could not be extra pleased with Darby and Nicole for his or her efforts,” mentioned Corey Hebert with the Blue Boot Basis. “And naturally, we thank Rep. Joe Orgeron who made all of it occur. We have been advised up entrance that it takes possibly 2 or 3 tries to get a invoice handed. … However we acquired it on the primary attempt, and we could not be happier about it. That is going to supply water security consciousness, coaching and curriculum in all faculties Okay-12 in Louisiana beginning subsequent 12 months. It is enormous for us. It is the 1st step for us on an enormous journey we’re on.”
Within the lead-up to the invoice’s passage, Darby and Nicole Bourgeois went to Baton Rouge to fulfill with state lawmakers to share their story.
In speaking to lawmakers, Hebert mentioned that many didn’t notice that water security consciousness was not a part of the curriculum in Louisiana, which led to momentum rising for the invoice’s passage.
Hebert mentioned he believes the invoice was in a position to undergo on the primary attempt as a result of individuals round our space and now throughout the state are seeing first-hand the laborious work the Basis is doing to make a distinction.
The rodeos are superb with household enjoyable and 1000’s of {dollars} raised.
However the root of the efforts come across the 12 months with rodeo proceeds getting used to purchase life rafts on Grand Isle seashore, to fund scholarships for native kids, to supply life jackets for native kids and any and all efforts to assist promote the trigger.
“Folks see what we’re doing and see that it is all occurring for a great trigger,” Hebert mentioned.
Hebert mentioned the 2022 Rodeo was arguably the very best one but with the biggest sponsorship numbers, essentially the most fish ever weighed and large crowds that turned out for the weekend.
The 2023 rodeo will happen on July 6-8 on Grand Isle.