Carol Massman Fryer’s enthusiasm for the American Royal is infectious. She is serving as BOTAR president this year and enjoying every minute of it. In addition to the Ball, Carol is especially excited about the American Royal Parade which coincides with the opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. “There is a lot of pride and excitement in Our Town right now, and BOTAR is thrilled to be part of it,” Carol said.

The eldest child of Carolyn Sue Pfeifer Massman and John Thomas Massman, Carol attended St. Teresa’ Academy and graduated from The University of Kansas. She was a BOTAR, class of 1981. Carol has six siblings and her sister, Kay Massman Lobb, was a BOTAR in 1994 and her brother Joe was a GOTAR in 1991. Carol’s other siblings were unable to participate inBOTAR due to jobs and careers.

“Both of my parents instilled in our family a deep sense of pride in our community and how important it is to become involved and take an interest in its future. They taught us this by example,” Carol said.

As a child, Carol learned about the American Royal through her three aunts who were BOTARS: Peggy Massman Freeman, the late Vicki Zuber Massman and the late Mary Massman Schnoebelen. When Carol became a BOTAR, one of her favorite activites was giving the school tours. “It was wonderful to watch the children who had not been around an agricultural environment. Seeing the doors open for them was very rewarding to me.” Carol has also made many special friendships through BOTAR. “I met one of my dearest friends, Laura Babcock Sutherland, and we are close to this day.”

Carol’s husband Kevin Lee Fryer is from Columbia, Missouri. He loves their family’s deep involvement in BOTAR. The couple has four children, John Burnell, Lee Elizabeth, Cecelia Susan, and Kimberly Ann. All three girls have served as Pages in the Ball, and the entire family enjoys the American Royal. For years, Carol and a group of BOTARS took their toddlers on an annual outing to the American Royal petting zoo.

This year’s BOTAR class has 31 BOTARS, and 15 of them are legacies. Three have mothers who were BOTAR presidents, one has a grandmother who was a member of the first BOTAR class in 1949 and four served as Pages. One Page’s grandmother was a past BOTAR president, and two of the five Pages this year are twins. Carol is thrilled to have so many legacies and respects the special family traditions that they uphold. She is also excited about the many new fresh faces joining BOTAR this year and relishes the opportunity to educate them about the many aspects of BOTAR. “BOTAR can be what you want it to be. It is wonderful to be able to help the American Royal and make so many friends. I don’t know very many organizations where you can work on a committee with your mother’s best friend and your daughter’s best friend. The multi-generational involvement is extraordinary,” Carol said.

Carol is passionate about BOTAR’s mission to support the American Royal through volunteering and financial contributions. Members help educate school children year-roundand give them tours in the fall at the American Royal. They teach them about a variety of things including milking a cow, herding sheep and how to ride a bucking bronco.  The BOTAR organization endows numerous scholarships, internships and a Presidents’ Scholarship in memory of late BOTAR presidents.

Carol and her many committee members are hard at work on what promises to be a spectacular Ball. “There is a wonderful current of philanthropic energy running through Kansas City this fall. I encourage everyone to join in by attending the Ball and supporting the American Royal,” Carol said.

Also featured in the September 17th issue of The Independent

Carol enjoyed horseback riding at Camp Allendale.

Carol is pictured with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Massman,  at the 1981 BOTAR Ball.