Congratulations to our Scholarship Recipients for 2009:
Gold Scholarship: Megan Baxter, Tanya Reid, Michelle Christensen
Silver Scholarship: Cody Metsker, Chelsea Wright, Kiley Mettendorf, Kalie Petefish, Jami Cox, Tyler Wilson, Kaleb Ward
WW Livestock Scholarship: Jerrod Lee
Teskey's Horsemanship Scholarship: Shelby Jacobson
Carol Hurd Memorial Scholarship: Cody Metsker
Barb Frank Memorial Scholarship: Michelle Christensen
Student President Scholarship: Chelsea Demott
State Finals Special Awards:
Act of Kindness: Caelin Dhom
Bob Tillery award: Caelin Dhom
Corky Brock Award: Shelby Jacobson
Mr Friendship: (Tie) Phil McGinnis, Trent Heuerman Sportsmanship Award: Twyla Reid, Caelin Dhom
Arena Friends: Chris Metsker, Richard Gerth
Hardluck Cowboy: (tie) Kylar Petefish, Kade Corzine
Hardluck Cowgirl: Brooke Kinkelaar
AQHA Horse of the Year; Kyle Bost, Tanya Reid
Several years ago, a local business man, Newlin Martin, approached the Rodeo Association about offering scholarships to graduating members of the Association. Mr. Martin would put on a BBQ dinner to be held at the same time as the rodeo parade, with the proceeds going to the scholarship fund. A board of directors, totally separate from the Association, was chosen and they control the scholarship funds and process.
Following Mr. Martins lead, other local businesses and individuals, either make cash donations or but together fund raising events. Each year, during the State Finals Weekend, there is a golf outing held on Thursday morning. On Friday morning there is a pancake, egg and sausage breakfast. Later on Friday morning there is an auction of horse, farm and ranch related items. Throughout the weekend there is a 50/50 drawing held at each rodeo performance. The proceeds of these endeavors, plus any cash donations, finance the scholarship fund managed by the Board of Directors of the High School Rodeo Foundation.
Any senior High School Rodeo Association member can apply for a scholarship. Applications can be picked up on Thursday morning of Finals Week and must be turned back in by 6pm Thursday night. On Friday morning the applicants are interviewed and scored by a team of local educators and business persons. Applicants are scored in 7 areas, Leadership Skills, School and Community Activities, Motivation and Sincerity, Financial Need, Aims and Goals, Academic and Education, and Rodeo Involvement.
Scholarships are awarded based on a scoring formula created by the Foundation Board.
There are also special “Memorial” scholarships awarded each year. These scholarships are funded by outside sources and awarded each year to the highest scoring member in an area designated by the person or persons who fund the “Memorial” scholarship. At this time there approximately 7 to 10 Foundation scholarships awarded annually, plus the Memorial scholarships.