WINONA - Emily Silvola, 12, is a cowgirl. She and her sister, Lara Laine, 13, have been competing at the Cowboy Christmas Youth Challenge in Jackson this week - roping and riding barrels.
At the event, Silvola heard of an audition for the remake of True Grit, originally staring John Wayne, and decided to try out for a role as a team roper. However, casting agents from Paramount Pictures had a different role in mind for Silvola - the lead role Mattie Ross.
After two auditions, Silvola is waiting for her third call back.
"I heard about [the audition] on the radio and saw it on TV," Silvola said. "I wanted to audition for the team roper."
The remake of the 1969 movie will star Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin, and it will be directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film will be filmed in Texas and New Mexico and will begin filming in March 2010.
Silvola said more than 100 girls were trying out for the Mattie Ross role, but she was told by the casting agent that she had a good chance at getting the role. They even came out to watch her ride and rope at the Youth Challenge.
"Emily wanted to know if she was going to have to quit barrel racing if she got the part," father John Silvola said. "I told her no she wasn't. Emily's dream is to make the national finals."
Silvola said she is trying to shoot for a college rodeo scholarship, and she works hard on a daily basis to train for her future.
"She has her own pen and cattle," John Silvola said. "She gets out there and practices every day. All she does is rope, rope, rope, rope, and run a barrel."
Silvola and Laura Laine have been participating in rodeo for several years around Mississippi. The Cowboy Christmas Youth Challenge in Jackson, according to John Silvola, is the second largest youth rodeo event in the United States - second only to Shawnee, Okla.
"The kids participating in this are the best of the best," John Silvola said. "There are kids from all over the country in this, and some of them will even be in the national finals."
John Silvola said a friend e-mailed him about the event and recommended he enter his daughters.
"I didn't know if they were ready for this, but I thought we should put them in there with the best of the best, and they are holding their own."
Sunday night, Lara Laine performed well in the barrel racing and moved on to Tuesday night's event with hopes of winning the $12,000 grand prize.
Emily Silvola competed Wednesday night in the roping category with her partner, A.J. Pennington of Cleveland, for a $2,000 purse. She also competes in barrel racing.
"Emily is probably in the top 20 right now," John Sivola said.
Emily and Lara Laine Silvola hope to move on the Mississippi high school rodeo circuit next summer.
"My girls are out there building a dream," John Silvola said. "And we really appreciate the support they get from the local people sponsoring them."
Local businesses and individuals including Tim Cook, Sonic, Hi Grade, Jerry Yates, Troy Yates, and Exxon's Trent Lott help the Silvola girls offset expenses as they compete across the state.
"We are so thankful to our sponsors," Silvola said.
As for her chances of being cast in a Hollywood movie, Silvola said the experience would not change her.
"I'm just going to be the same ol', same ol'," she said. "I'll be the same ol' Emily."
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