Each year the NIRA Alumni honor a person who has made a major contribution to the NIRA or NIRA Alumni that has had a lasting, positive effect on the organizations.
Joanne Sikes of Huntsville, Texas, was honored as the 2009 NIRA Alumni Contributor of the Year for her 20 years of being the "Mother of the NIRA." She ran the NIRA office before the age of computers, e-mails, and FAX machines when everything was done through the U.S.mail. She said that she did have a mimeograph machine and two electric staplers. She and one office helper processed all the memberships, checked the transcripts, keep the NIRA and rodeo records, wrote and mailed the
news letter, handled all the daily office responsibilities, and shepherded the NIRA office to fit the needs of a new, growing organization.
She said that she did it for "love:" love for her husband Sonny Sikes who was the NIRA executive manager, the Sam Houston State University rodeo coach, and taught at the university. It started with the love for her husband and grew into love for the NIRA, an organization that was fostering an education for rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. For a financially strapped new organization, Joanne and Sonny gave without expecting nor receiving adequate compensation.
Bob Clore, NIRAA Awards Director, presented the special award to Joanne at the Alumni Awards Luncheon held during the CNFR in Casper,Wyoming.
