17th Annual Stockman's Auction

The busy week of the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo tests the endurance of everyone who attends. The Cattleman’s Ball and Banquet held on Wednesday night allows all of us draw and a deep breath and enjoy the beautiful decorations and great music while dining on a fantastic meal of beef at the Ramkota Convention Center. We extend our congratulations to Dr. John Ismay, Bill and Pennie Slovek and Mr. Hugh Ingalls for the honors bestowed on them during the Ball and Banquet. They are great representatives for the entire agriculture industry.

Black Hills Stock Show Foundation steps up into the spotlight each year during the Ball and Banquet to present the scholarship winners selected to receive a $2000 scholarship.  Twenty-one South Dakota seniors applied to receive the scholarship which can be renewed one time. Terry Taylor, BHSSF Director, and Scholarship Chairman, feels it is so gratifying to choose six individuals who will go on to represent the best of all that is South Dakota youth! We believe many of these recipients will go on to represent South Dakota in many excellent and varied avenues. Good luck to all of the winners and know that we will always be proud to have been a part of your educational goals.

Alexandra Alspach, Dupree, SD, is the daughter of Buster and Connie Alspach. Alexandra attends Dupree High School where she enjoys band, 4-H, and sports. Her plans include attending SDSU to study Animal Science Education and Conservation.

Brittany Carmichael of Meadow, SD attends Faith High School. The daughter of Keith and Carol Carmichael, Brittany has been active in sports, 4-H and rodeo. She plans to attend Dickinson State University in Dickinson, ND and major in Animal Science.

Caleb Clements is a senior at Philip High School. He is the son of Mike and Debra Clements of Philip, SD. Caleb has been active in FCCL, FFA, band, choir and sports. He plans to study banking and finance at Dakota State University in Madison, SD.

Kortney Hauge of White Lake, SD is the daughter of Martin and Jody Hauge. She attends White Lake High School where she is active in student government, band, choir, sports, and high school rodeo where she currently reigns as 2010 SDHSRA Rodeo Queen. Kortney’s plans for college include attending University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. She will study Animal Pharmaceutical Sales.

Daniel Snyder of Sturgis Brown High School received the Milo Rypkema Memorial Scholarship presented by Marty and Eddy Rypkema in their father’s memory. Daniel is the son of Ken and Rhonda Snyder. He is active in sports, 4-H, FFA, and excels in academics. His plan for the future includes attending SDSU and majoring in Pre-Economics.

Danielle Piroutek of Philip High School received the Lamont Hill Scholarship given by Loretta Hill, BHSSF Director, in memory of her husband. The daughter of Mike and Carolyn Piroutek of Milesville, SD, Danielle is an exemplary student who is involved in FFA, sports, FCA, FCCLA and sports. She will attend SDSU and major in Pre-Veterinary medicine.

As part of our efforts to fund this scholarship program, we host an auction held during the banquet. It is always filled with laughter and good natured competition for the beautiful items donated by individuals and businesses in the local area. The crowd bid on everything from boots to bronzes, furniture to quilts, and bits to spurs!! Lynn Weishaar, a former honoree of the Black Hills Stock Show, is our auctioneer each year for this exciting event. The Black Hills Stock Show Foundation showed our appreciation for Lynn’s help each year with a silver belly hat presented by BHSSF President Lynn Husman. There were 27 items on the auction and they helped us raise almost $20, 000 for the scholarship fund. We were delighted to learn the Great American Cowboy Series original oil painting, “The Natural,” will reside at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Ft. Pierre, SD. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the donors and buyers for your support of this fund raising effort. Each of you are a part of these students dreams and goals!!