|
| |
| a |
|
High Marks .....Students Awarded BHSS Foundation
Scholarships
Rapid City, SD -- Enthusiastic and optimistic.
That may best describe students applying for annual
scholarships awarded through the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation. Of the six
winning this years awards, all outline plans to return to the Western states
region to begin careers after completing their education.
Always an encouraging sign, says scholarship committee
chairman, John Johnson. “Among the objectives of the Foundation’s
scholarship programs is to continually communicate the importance of
keeping agriculture’s talent close to home,” he says. “We all know the
story of the exodus of young people from rural-based industries and communities
- in search of better jobs, better career advancement opportunities, and
business/community settings that represent more diverse interests.” He
adds, “We’re pleased that so many of the recipients of these scholarships do
in fact, begin their career and community involvement in this region. This
latest slate of winners, I believe, will be no exception.”
Students being awarded $2,000 scholarships are Wes
Hotchkiss, Mud Butte, SD; Megan Winderl-Zimmerman, Stephensville, Mont.; Jeff
Dell, Nisland, SD; Zane Reis, Oacoma, SD; Aaron Herz, Lawrence, Neb.; and
Jennifer Jensen, Belle Fourche, SD. Among them are recipients of three family endowment
scholarships; Hotchkiss will receive his scholarship from the annual Ray Switzer
Memorial; Dell is the recipient of the first annual Calvin Blair Memorial and
Jensen receives the Eddie Rypkema Memorial scholarship.
Each of the six will be considered for the
Foundation’s Golden Spur Renewable Scholarship award - that begins in 2003.
The student best meeting the criteria set by the Foundation, will be selected to
receive $2,000 annually, up to four years for post-secondary education financial
needs. From molecular biologists to range specialists; from
ranchers to veterinary medicine; such are the education and career pursuits of
these young students. “Our role is to help channel resources to education,
from a grass roots perspective,” says Foundation President Joe Norman, who has
been instrumental in developing the organization’s endowment program. “If we
are to do more than pay lip service to the challenge of rebuilding rural
business and communities, then we first have to recognize that a strong
educational base translates eventually to an overall healthier economic climate.
It’s not achieved over-night. But in time, the Foundation’s scholarship
programs will have made a difference.” For more information on how to support the
Foundation’s regional scholarship programs through a Stockman’s Club
membership and what additional services are provided through a membership, call
605-718-0810. Email foundation@BHSSF.com and see more details on this website.
|
 |
WES HOTCHKISS
He’s a Regent’s scholar, a roper and plays a mean
guitar. He spends so much time in volunteer work, one wonders where he finds the
time to be a student. As a freshman at South Dakota State University, Brookings,
Wes Hotchkiss will bring all that home - plus a four year degree in agriculture
sciences, to the family ranch after graduation.
The recipient of the Ray Switzer Memorial scholarship, he
relates to practical and proven production methods handed down through three
generations in his family while looking forward to, “bringing emerging
technologies applications to the operation. Still, he notes, what will
help him succeed are, “the old stand-by’s of hard work, dedication and
pride in what I’m doing.” All things he points to as being important to what
he’s learned ... so far. “I’ll combine education with practical
application,” he says, “and be an active advocate of our history - and for
the future of agriculture.”
|
Wes Hotchkiss
2002 Ray Switzer Memorial Scholarship |
MEGAN WINDERL-ZIMMERMAN
Honors in chemistry and physics put Megan Winderl-Zimmerman
on the road to veterinary medicine. The sophomore at Montana State University,
Bozeman, continues to maintain, show and market a herd of registered Simmental
cattle and is involved in a myriad of school and community activities.
“I didn’t choose my future in agriculture because it’s
destined to be easy or a guaranteed success,” she says. “I chose my future
in agriculture because I believe in what we, as American producers, have to
offer. Expanding knowledge and technology will see the American agriculturist
continue to produce more output, on less resources, for expanding
populations.” Among her instructors is Stephen Pray, a retired US Navy
Captain. “Megan is a dynamic and dedicated individual,” he observes. “She
is a problem solver - we could use more of her kind.”
|
Megan Winderl-Zimmerman
2002 BHSS Foundation
Scholarship |
JEFF DELL
Today’s economics may dictate changes in lifestyles,
but for Jeff Dell, a freshman at SDSU, the recipient of the first Calvin Blair
Memorial scholarship, that doesn’t mean forsaking, “the old ways. There is
something significant about the western heritage, “ he observes. “Trust,
honesty, dependability - it’s the cowboy way of life I was raised in, educated
in, and wish to continue to live in.”
The honor’s student loves bringing a calf to the fire but
knows earning his degree will give him a competitive edge in the future. Playing
an active role in academic and community projects during his educational career,
Dell sees this as an important continuation when he begins his career pursuits
in ranching. “I plan to be front and center in community, industry and policy
settings,” he says. “You grow, maintain, and preserve and way of life, by
living it ... and passing that on.”
|
Jeff Dell
2002 Calvin Blair
Memorial Scholarship
|
ZANE REIS
Zane Reis didn’t know how much he wanted to be on the
ranch, until he was off it.
Now in his sophomore year at SDSU, it’s become crystal
clear to the young man majoring in range sciences ‘ “I want to be on the
land.” He joins his siblings in college (his brother Shane was the
recipient of the Ray Switzer Memorial Scholarship in 2000), with a full
course load, a part-time job and a desire to begin a career as a range
specialist and as a rancher. “There are many things to be gained through
completing my education,” says Reis. “Still, college can’t teach a person
everything there is to know about how to be successful in any career in life,
including agriculture.” A hands-on learner, Reis plans to turn the best
of what two worlds has to offer - an education and a love for the land - to
become, “a good steward of the range.”
|
Zane Reis
2002 BHSS Foundation
Scholarship |
JENNIFER JENSEN
Ask Jennifer Jensen about vaccination free market beef, or
wetlands water systems; ask about pesticide free crop production, housing and
development on rural ranch/farm ground or biotechnology. She’ll have something
to say.
The recipient of the first annual Eddie Rypkema Memorial
scholarship, the graduating senior from Belle Fourche, SD has no shortage of
plans in her educational and career pursuits. “The future will hold a lot of
things for agriculture,” says the state champion FFA livestock judging team
member, “not the least of which is continued change. How to make the best
choices during times of change, that will be the most beneficial to broad-based
rural interests - I want to be a part of that.” Her final academic
destination is a major in molecular biology and she is still considering how
best to get there, either beginning at Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., or
jumping right into course study at SDSU. “From the first day Jennifer
walked into my agriculture education classroom, I knew she would be one of my
most outstanding students,” says Joey Johnson, executive director of the
Wyoming FFA Foundation. “She is a natural leader, a self-starter and most
important of all .... a team player.”
|
Jennifer Jensen
Eddie Rypkema Memorial |
AARON HERZ
Understanding the delivery, management, and technical
support of systems needed in the production of agriculture and food seems a tall
order. Aaron Herz, a freshman entering the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, seems
made-to-order for the job.
The fifth generation of a cattle and farming operation near
Lawrence, Neb., he appreciates the history of cowboys, cattle drives and
railroad towns and their role in creating western heritage. But Herz wants to
create his own role. “I’ve had a good foundation to learn from - knowing
hard work, the satisfaction of a job well done, and pride in having given
something your best shot.” For him, the future lies in earning a degree in
mechanized systems management - a career that will allow him to work on and off
the family homestead. “Aaron represents himself, his family, his school,
and his community in an exceptional manner,” says Lawrence/Nelson Community
School Academic Counselor Connie Potter. “He is a leader and unselfishly
volunteers his time in community service.”
|
Aaron Herz |
|
|
|
The Foundation will host students and their parents at the Stockman's
Banquet & Ball, held during the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo, on
Wednesday, January 31 when scholarship award presentations will be made.
The Black Hills Stock Show Foundation is a non-profit
organization. As part of its mission of "Preserving The Legacy, Investing
In The Future", the Foundation is dedicated to supporting youth in higher
education and organizations, programs and projects that enhance services
and education to the public.
|
|
|
SOUTH
DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL RODEO ASSOCIATION
Black
Hills Stock Show
Foundation Scholarships
Youth In Education ....
BHSS Foundation Awards SDHSRA Scholarships
“In reviewing their material, it is apparent these students
have already accomplished many things. It is our hope, that through the
Foundation’s Scholarship Program, we help them accomplish even
more.”
John Johnson, BHSS Foundation Director
Beginning in 1999, the Foundation expanded its annual
scholarship program to include the selection of outstanding
High School Rodeo athletes who will continue their education
through university, college and/or technical institute
studies, and who are committed to careers in ag-related fields.
|
2000
South Dakota High School Rodeo
State Finals Scholarship Winners:
Tanner Sealey, Colome
Kristi Lammers, Miller
|
When the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation decided to expand its
scholarship program that recognizes young adults pursuing higher education
in ag-related fields of study, it made perfect sense to team up with
another organization that provides a learning arena for youth; the South
Dakota High School Rodeo Association.
Among the first state organizations to form in 1949, it has been a
leader in the development of the national high school rodeo program and
continues to produce leaders on the state and national level. From its
ranks come young athletes who regardless of their place in winnings, are
encouraged to learn and apply skills that are cornerstones to personal,
academic and career development.
“Without exception, all the applicants qualify as winners,” relates
John Johnson, Sturgis, who along with Doug Theel, Rapid City, co-chairs
the Foundation’s SDHSRA Scholarship Program. “In reviewing their
material, its apparent they have already accomplished many things. It’s
our hope, that we help them accomplish even more.”
Students whose needs match the mission of the BHSS Foundation, is among
the criteria for selection, says Theel. “These students are
focused and have clear career objectives in mind - recognizing that
continuing in secondary education is among the ways to achieve those
objectives.”
Awarding two $500 scholarships, the Foundation selected Tanner Sealey,
Colome, and Kristi Lammers, Miller, as its recipients for the 2000 SDHSRA
season. Both have been accepted into fall curriculums where Kristi will
pursue courses related to ag communications at South Dakota State
University, Brookings and Tanner, who will attend Mitchell Technical
Institute, Mitchell, with plans to continue in production agriculture.
Both are active in community and school programs, ranging from 4-H and
youth church groups to National Honor Society. Each demonstrates
leadership skills and perhaps most telling, is the support they both are
noted for, from others who interact with them on a regular basis.
“Kristi’s inspiration, enthusiasm and dedication to our son Matt,
who has special needs, goes far beyond what most would consider community
service,” observes Cheryl Fawcett, Ree Heights. “She has made a
difference in his life and demonstrates over and over again, the true
meaning of humanitariasm.”
A willing hand is how neighbor Kathy Bertram describes Tanner who,
“works hard at anything he puts his mind to. His sense of sportsmanship
and friendliness towards others, no matter what the setting, makes him a
stand-out. It’s a dedication that’s a wonderful thing to see in a
young adult.”
Both students note their appreciation for the lifestyles and
opportunities that the sport of rodeo has brought them, along with a
desire to continue in ag-related fields. “No matter what field of study
we choose,” says Tanner, “there is the need to bring an involvement
and understanding of agriculture to more people. I hope to be a part
of that.” He adds, “We shouldn’t forget all that’s been done
by those who came before us - that we might continue today - and in the
future.”
If actions speak louder than words, than Kristi has already sent a
strong message through her involvement with others. Like Tanner, she
recognizes the need to communicate well with others, in a changing
agricultural environment. “It’s in how we treat and relate to
others that our best opportunities lie before us in making a difference.
I’ve spent my lifetime on the ranch but look forward to experiencing
different cultures .... while sharing my own.”
The Black Hills Stock Show Foundation is a
non-profit organization. As part of its mission of “Preserving The
Legacy, Investing In The Future”, the Foundation is dedicated to
supporting youth in higher education and organizations, programs and
projects that enhance services and education to the public. |
|
