Academic interests in four states....
2004 BHSSF Scholarship Winners Announced 

Rapid City, SD -- From veterinarian and range sciences; equine management to journalism; from animal health and pharmaceuticals to production agriculture; this year’s recipients of annual scholarships presented by the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation are well on their way in plans to begin careers and become a part of communities in the region.

“In addition to the six selected for 2004 awards in the amount of $2,000 each, we’re also pleased to announce our first renewable award, the Golden Spur Scholarship presented to Wes Hotchkiss, Newell, SD  that provides funds for up to four years,” says BHSS Foundation President Joe Norman, Piedmont.

Stock Show week is an important fundraising time for the Foundation where a good percentage of its annual scholarship funds are raised at various events. Another exciting area of growth for the nonprofit organization now in its eleventh year of operation, is its family and business endowment program that has a growing list of supporters from the region.

“Families and businesses can place monies through the Foundation with confidence and the assurance that funds are placed towards the effort they designate,” explains Doug Theel, Foundation vice-president. “Bringing people together, pooling resources, neighbor to neighbor remains the basis for Foundation programs held during Stock Show Week and throughout the year, where supporters from the city and the country come together - reminding us of what is accomplished when we choose to work together.”

Among six awards presented, two go to siblings from Hermosa, S.D.,  Elizabeth (who receives the Farm Credit Services of America scholarship) and Charles Maude. Both have been active in 4-H,  local and state FFA programs, with Elizabeth beginning her academic studies at University of Wyoming, Laramie with plans to complete her doctorate in veterinary medicine at Colorado State University. Charles has already put together the beginning of his production ag operation that consists of 130 Simmental Angus cross cows, a 40 head farrow-to-finish hog program, 300 acres of farming raising feed grains marketed through his own livestock, all to be managed while he attends South Dakota State University, Brookings, earning his degree in Animal Science.  Parents are Marion and Jackie Maude.

A love for the written word guides Lynn Stouwie, Box Elder who receives the Eddie Rypkema Family endowment award. Noted as a valuable member of the Rapid City FFA Chapter where she chairs programs as well as serving as vice-president, her plans to secure a degree in journalism begin at Casper College in Wyoming.  “Lynn sets the pace for our other FFA members” says Darold Hehn Agribusiness Instruction at Central High School. “She’s an example of what an agriculture student should be.” Parents are Brad and Karen Stouwie.

The technology needed to insure continued animal health and that as it relates to production efficiencies and consumer food issues, holds an interest for Brad Lindblom, Hermosa (receiving the Calvin & Mary Blair family endowment scholarship) who is on his way to South Dakota State University. Plans are to make it a “hands-on” use of education for the future when he hopes to return to production agriculture. “If you want to get into the cattle business,” he observes, “you need to know how to get the most out of each acre and each cow and calf. Continuing my education is going to help me get there.”  Parents are Dave and Starla Lindblom.

Anything to do with horses and rodeo is where you’ll find Jena Lien, Hemingford, Neb., in her spare time, not that she has a lot of that. “On rare ocassions,” reflects Hemingford Public High School educator Christopher Watt, “a teacher is truly blessed with a student whose work ethic, dedication, discipline and character exceed all expectations. Jena is one of those students.” She will pursue a bachelor’s degree in equine management at National American University, Rapid City and hopes to intern on a horse training facility, specializing in athletic timed event training. Parents are Rick and Deb Lien.

Beginning his post-secondary academic career with Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City, Collin Kessler will relocate to North Dakota State University, Fargo, studying animal and range sciences. From Wetonka, SD, his interests lie in advancements in the cattle industry, from animal reproduction to feeding practices. “The science and technology of cattle production is moving so quickly, “ he observes, “and is an area that you can’t just pick up on the ranch. That’s why continuing my education is so important to me.”  Parents are Chuck and Perry Kessler.

2004 Scholarship Press Releases

• Back To The Future.... A Student, A Teacher, A Cowboy All Rolled Into One
  BHSSF announces renewable scholarship award
• 20X Extreme Showcase..... Spotlight on South Dakota Highschool Rodeo Talent at BHSS & Rodeo

2004 BHSSF Scholarship Award Winners

Wes Hotchkiss, Mud Butte, SD:  Golden Spur Renewable Award
Parents are Terry & Beth Hotchkiss

As the first recipient of the renewable scholarship program begun  by the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation in 2004, Hotchkiss embodies what many think doesn’t exist anymore; a  generation of  cowboy that believes there’s still a place (and a need)  for the old ways, smack-dab in the 21st century ....  a ‘back to the future’ take on things, that works.

He is a third year range science major with a double minor in animal science and ag business at South Dakota State University.  Wes learned early some of life’s lessons that come to others later in life. “Coming from a country school and because I was the only student in my grade, it seemed I was always learning things a year or more ahead,” he recalls.

“You can sure enough ranch successfully without a degree,” he says.  “But if something were to go wrong well, best to cover yourself.” He continues, “I like my world just fine, but I need to know things outside of this place, the bigger picture if you will, and how that relates to my part of the industry, the cow/calf unit.”

 

Elizabeth Maude, Hermosa, SD: Farm Credit Services of America Business Endowment.
Parents are Marion & Jackie Maude

Active in 4-H,  local and state FFA programs,  Elizabeth will begin her academic studies at University of Wyoming, Laramie with plans to complete her doctorate in veterinary medicine at Colorado State University.

 

 

Lynn Stouwie, Box Elder: Eddie Rypkema Family Endowment
Parents are Bard and Karen Stouwie

A love for the written word guides Lynn’s plans to secure a degree in journalism begin at Casper College in Wyoming.  “Lynn sets the pace for our other FFA members” says Darold Hehn Agribusiness Instruction at Central High School. “She’s an example of what an agriculture student should be.”

Brad Lindblom, Hermosa, SD: Calvin & Mary Blair Family Endowment
Parents are Dave & Starla Lindblom

The technology needed to insure continued animal health and that as it relates to production efficiencies and consumer food issues, holds an interest for Brad who is on his way
to South Dakota State University. Plans are to make it a “hands-on” use of education for the future when he hopes to return to production agriculture.

 

 

Jena Lien, Hemingford, Neb.
Parents are Rick and Deb Lien

Jena will pursue a bachelor’s degree in equine management at National American University, Rapid City and hopes to intern on a horse training facility, specializing in athletic timed event training.  “On rare occasions,” says Hemingford School educator Christopher Watt, “a teacher is truly blessed with a student who exceeds all expectations.  Jena is one of those students.”

 

 

Collin Kessler, Wetonka, SD.
Parents are Chuck and Perry Kessler

Beginning his post-secondary academic career with Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City, Collin Kessler will relocate to North Dakota State University, Fargo, studying animal and range sciences. His interests lie in advancements in the cattle industry, from animal reproduction to feeding practices.

Charles Maude, Hermosa, SD.
Parents are Marion and Jackie Maude

Charles has already put together the beginning of his production ag operation that consists of 130 Simmental Angus cross cows, a 40 head farrow-to-finish hog program, 300 acres of farming raising feed grains marketed through his own livestock, all to be managed while he attends South Dakota State University, Brookings, earning his degree in Animal Science.

 
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