Last Friday, the sweetest young lady greeted passersby from behind her cheerily painted lemonade stand. She smiled sweetly, yet shyly, attempting to gain the attention of those walking or driving past on Main Street. That young lady is none other than Bristow’s own Brook Banks, daughter of Kevin and Susan Banks.
Brook’s mom, Susan, owns Main Street Market at 220 North Main Street. As for why Brook sets up her lemonade stand to sell lemonade in the scorching heat of an Oklahoma summer, she recently qualified for the 2021 Junior World Finals at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas. Brook attempted to qualify a single time and came in first during the qualifier. Now, she is selling lemonade for $1 per cup each Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in front of her mom’s store to raise money for her entry fees and trip.
Susan explained that the trip will cost at least $5,000 in gas, travel-related expenses, and competition entry fees. Being keen to instill a life lesson of earning what you most want in life, Susan encourages Brook to actively participate in raising the money for her trip. For now, Brook will set up her lemonade stand with deliciously sweet, tangy lemonade each week; in the future, she will employ additional fundraisers as well.
At ten years of age, Brook is small, yet mighty, and shy, yet fierce. She has spent her whole life in the rodeo, beginning as young as age two and riding the family pony, Little Red. She also competes year-round. When asked why she rides and competes in so many rodeos, Brook replied simply with a bright smile, “I love it!” She regularly competes in four events: barrel racing, breakaway roping, pole bending, and goats. For the Junior World Finals at the NFR, she qualified in breakaway roping in the ten and under bracket.
Although she qualified in breakaway roping, Brook giggled before decidedly stating that barrel racing is her favorite event. She also named each horse she rides as she uses a different horse for each event. Naturally, her favorite horse is Snorty, who she rides while barrel racing—her favorite event. Of Snorty, Brook said, “She’s a good horse, and I love her.” She shyly named her other horses, perhaps a bit intimidated at being interviewed, giggling frequently but proudly describing each horse— all of whom she loves and are good horses, protecting her. Brook rides Sally while breakaway roping, Lucy while competing with goats, and mostly rides Snorty “or sometimes a different one” while competing in pole bending.
Yes, she seems quiet and reserved, but Susan confirmed she is a passionate competitor, stating “She has a drive and determination to do her very best. She does.” Once the newness of the interview waned, she giggled and shared fun stories a little more freely. The passion and drive of which her mother spoke, that fire, definitely flickered brightly in her eyes at times. She looks forward to competing in December at the Junior World Finals but must first raise the money to fund her trip and fees. The family will be in Las Vegas from December 1st through the 6th.
It is often said that wonderful things come in small packages. Like her sweet, refreshing lemonade, hiding its goodness behind that small price of a dollar a cup, Brook may surprise her fellow competitors this December. She will ride in small, yet mighty, and shy, yet fierce. With the community’s support, she will walk away a winner no matter how she places. She assured us she will keep competing “forever because I love it. I mean, what’s not to love? It’s fun! And you get better and better when you do it.”
Anyone interested in supporting Brook may purchase a lemonade from her on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or donate money to her. Additionally, Brook is seeking sponsors for her competition fees. Sponsors donating at least $250 will have their names added to her shirt. Donations and sponsorships can be made in person at Main Street Market during open hours of operation, by PayPal through Susan’s email: susanbanks10@gmail.com, or by calling Susan for more information at (918) 527-2463.