The annual Red Boot Round Up was canceled this year to allow for more time to plan and improve the event.
The benefit dance concert was created two years ago to remember ACU student Linsey Smith who was killed in a head-on car crash in January 2013. Smith and a group of students were headed to the Grand Ole Oplin, a two-stepping dance hall, when they were hit by a truck.
Close friends of Smith started the event with help from Student Life and the Students’ Association, and it has taken place each year since.
The event consists of two-stepping, one of Smith’s passions, live music and worship. All funds go toward the Lindsey Smith Scholarship Fund.
Among the survivors of the crash is Rebekah Cherniss, junior Ad/PR major from Houston. She spent the rest of that semester recovering in Houston and lost about two months of her memory, including her memory of Smith.
“I think I had met her previously since we were both on the Sing Song dance team that year, but that night was the night I really had a chance to meet her,” Cherniss said. “I don’t remember even getting dressed that morning for class that Friday.”
Despite her loss of memory, Cherniss still looks at the bright side and understands the significance of the event. She was Skyped into the first Red Boot Round Up.
“God blessed me so much from this accident; I don’t remember the tragedy or the pain, but the one thing I wish I could remember is this joyous life I have heard so much about,” Cherniss said. “It is my understanding that the Red Boot Round Up was a fundraiser to honor two of Lindsey’s favorite things – dancing and traveling.”
Eric Schinske, graduate social work student from Argyle, has helped organize the event in the past and made the call to hold off until next year.
“We want the Red Boot Round Up to be a large production,” he said.”We really want to spend more quality time getting sponsors and fundraising so we can make this event all it should be.”
Aside from funding, Schinske said the decision to cancel this year’s event was also related to the quality of the event.
“We don’t want to settle,” he said. “We figured more time will allow for more proper advertising, larger-scale advertising and enough fundraising to bring in a big-name band.”
Schinske also said he wanted the event to properly honor Smith.
“Lindsey lived her life to the fullest in just over 20 years, and we want this event to reflect just how incredible she truly is,” he said. “We are aspiring to put together an incredible night of dancing and music next spring that will be one for the records.”
