WINNER, NOT QUITTER. “When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.” This quote by Clinton Anderson speaks to Emma because when she feels like giving up on herself, and her dear horses, Guy, Sam, Gator, and Elliot. She thinks about why she started riding and training, and keeps going.
Emma Catherine Brungardt was raised in Blue Rapids, Kansas. Her family includes her parents, Mike and Holly Brungardt, her siblings, Elizabeth Grate, Heather Mitchell, Billy Moore, Sophie Simmet, Joseph and Anna Brungardt. Throughout Emma's high school years, she has been a part of the All School Play for one year, Scholars Bowl for two years, Band for three years and the Golf for two years. She was also FFA vice president for one year and FFA reporter for one year.
Emma is actively involved in 4-H, she is also a member of the Hanover American Auxiliary Legion. She has also participated in the Kansas Wild Horse Youth Challenge for four years. In 2020, she was crowned the NCK rodeo queen, and still holds the title. Some of her biggest high school accomplishments are staying on honor roll all four years. Something people don't know about Emma is that she has four older siblings, not just Sophie.
In 10 years, Emma sees herself having a successful job and her own home. Her mentor, Mrs. Coon, says, “ I see Emma being very passionate with whatever job she chooses, but I definitely think she will end up very involved with horses after graduation.” Brungardt states, “My dream is to graduate high school and college, and live on a big ranch and have a good job with farming.”
After high school, Emma plans to attend Colby Community college for Ag Business, then attend Butler Farrier school in Nebraska. Brungardt has made many memories through high school, but her favorites are being a goofball in class with her friends when they should've been paying attention. Lastly, some advice Emma wants to give underclassmen is, “Don't procrastinate, and if it's a dream you want badly enough, chase it.”
Article by Haily Stoudt