In the early 1980’s the Illinois High School Rodeo Association was in the process of moving their state finals rodeo site from Butler, Illinois to the Effingham area. After one year at a site North of Effingham the Effingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry took over the production of the state finals.

It was obvious from the start that the new area where the finals would be held was going to offer opportunities for the IHSRA State Finals Rodeo that had not been available before. The concept of two communities, Effingham and Altamont, just ten miles apart down Interstate 70 would work together to make the finals, not only a special event, but also, a successful venture for the sponsoring parties.  The new site of the IHSRA state finals would be the Effingham County Fairgrounds in Altamont, Illinois. Although the sponsoring parties have changed over the years, the area still welcomes the finals to this day.

When the finals moved to Altamont, a local businessman, Newlin Martin with Martin’s IGA in Effingham was a very active member of the chamber’s rodeo production committee. Newlin approached the IHSRA about an idea of offering scholarships to graduating seniors of the IHSRA. To fund this idea Mr. Martin offered the services of his catering crew to put on a barbeque to be held on the Effingham Court House square that would follow the annual Rodeo Parade in Effingham.

The concept of a scholarship committee developed into a foundation that would provide scholarships to graduating seniors that met the requirements of an application process including an interview portion that was based on the guidelines of the scholarship process used by The National High School Rodeo Association.

The foundation became a 501C3 corporation, separate from the Illinois High School Rodeo Association and made up of members representing both the past and the present of IHSRA  along with members representing the area where the state finals is held. The foundation sets the guidelines for the application process along with the scoring formula that determines scholarship recipients.

Although the Martin’s IGA Barbeque was the cornerstone of funding for the IHSR Foundation, over the years several Effingham and Altamont businesses have contributed donations and provided for events that support the scholarship fund. Goeckner Brothers Dodge in Effingham has been a contributing supporter along with the support of S and W Market in Altamont, Frederking Construction and others that help with a chuck wagon breakfast cook-out held on Saturday morning of the rodeo finals.

The IHSRA has helped to fund scholarships through new events including an auction of
donated horse, farm and ranch items featuring a registered Quarter Horse Filly in 2008. Rodeo dads came up with a golf outing that not only provides for the scholarship fund but also keeps those dads busy during rodeo down-time. Other fund-raising efforts are held during the finals weekend and from a year-long fund raising effort the IHSRA has made generous donations to support scholarship funding.

Any IHSRA senior member may apply for a scholarship with out being qualified as a state finals rodeo contestant. The scholarship procedure begins with an applicant obtaining an application that includes information pertinent to the applicant’s education, community activities and financial need. The applications must be returned to the Rodeo Office by a designated time with all required documents including a high school transcript intact.