The Leesville Lions Club’s 2025 Rodeo Queen, Julia Chiasson, spoke to the Leesville Rotary Club about her experience as a rodeo queen and her time serving as a counselor at the Louisiana Lions Camp.

Chiasson talked about beginning her journey last year as a 15-year-old with her barrel horse, Mellow, and a childhood dream of becoming a rodeo queen.

She said she did not fully understand the purpose behind the crown until she served as a counselor at the Louisiana Lions Camp this summer.

A week before reporting to camp, Chiasson lost her rodeo companion, Mellow. She said her time at camp helped her see a greater purpose in her journey.

Chiasson compared the Lions Camp to the Kingdom of God, describing it as a place where everyone is welcome, differences and disabilities do not determine who belongs, and everyone is loved, accepted and included.

She shared her gratitude for the opportunity to serve and said she now understands a greater purpose behind her journey.

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