Three years ago I never would have dreamed of doing something like this. However, many things have changed since then. Graduating from high school instigates a host of changes. The biggest change can probably be one of two things; stay in school or pursue higher education. College is so important these days, and for us rodeo competitors, college is a very possible option after high school. For me it was an easy choice. I still hope to make a living in the arena. A problem soon arose when I discussed this with my parents.
“You know, Teddy, you won’t be able to rodeo your whole life, right?” my mom said.
“Dang, that’s what I was hoping to do” I replied.
Well in the last two years I got hurt several times and I still don’t want to get a real job so now I’m a college student. And you know what? School really isn’t that bad. What many students and parents may not realize is how easy it is to get scholarships to go to college. The best part is how many there are and how many different entities grant them. Scholarships can come directly from high schools and colleges, government foundations, private donors, rodeo associations, and businesses. Another place they come from that I learned about this year is rodeo committees. Not so much in Canada so far, but I’m looking. The Alberta High School Rodeo Association has to be one of the best associations in North America for high school students to learn, rode and prepare for a successful future in college and in the rodeo arena.
Since I would like to make this article helpful to your readers, I would like to talk about all the scholarships that I know of that are out there for graduating high school students. The money is available for the most part, whether or not a person takes the time to apply. The biggest cost when applying for scholarships is the stamp on the envelope. Sure you can win some scholarships now, but you can’t get any of their free money if you don’t try. Here are a few that all high school students should apply for:
Montana Silversmiths Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship: Deadline: August 1. This scholarship is open to current high school graduates and college students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher. For those of us north of 49, you should average around 70%. For more information and to apply, visit: montanasilversmiths.com. Or call 888-677-9487 to get an application form.
Bill Kehler Memorial Scholarship: Deadline: August 28. Open to students who have completed the 12th grade or are currently in college. Up to four $2,500 scholarships are awarded each year. The scholarships are awarded to students studying agriculture and broadcasting, along with those who are great ambassadors of Mr. Bill Kehler’s legacy. Professional rodeo contestants can also apply for a scholarship to support their post-secondary education.
The Alexander Rutherford High School Achievement Scholarship: Deadline: May 1 if going to school in September and December 1 if starting college in January. If your 10th, 11th, and 12th grade averages are above 75% in all four core subjects along with an option class, this scholarship could be worth a lot of money to you. If your average was above 80%, it may be even higher. And the best part is that if you apply and your qualifications are correct, you get the money. Your high school counselor should have the information for this scholarship, but if not, look them up.
Alberta High School Rodeo Association Scholarships: Deadline April 1. You must now be a member of AHSRA to apply for these scholarships. So those of you who want to go to college and are not yet a member should join. This association is absolutely the best place to start your rodeo career. Nowhere else will you find better help, stock and a positive atmosphere to be the best you can be. You can now start at Jr. High School Rodeo in the sixth grade and have almost your entire freshman year of college paid for before you get there.
The last type of scholarship I want to talk about in this article are those awarded by colleges and universities in Canada and the United States. Some of the schools in Canada that are part of the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (CIRA) are: Olds College, Lakeland College in Vermillion, AB, Red Deer College, NAIT, SAIT, The University of Lethbridge, U of A and U of C CIRA is growing and is a great place to continue your education and rodeo at the same time. The collegiate rodeo in the United States is held at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). Member schools are spread throughout the western United States and are geographically divided into eleven regions. NIRA member schools award many scholarships to students from across North America. If you are a student who wants to go to college here in the United States, search for College Rodeo. There you can find all the contact information of the coaches of each school. You don’t have to be the best in Canada to get a scholarship to go to school somewhere here. All it takes is the desire.
Good luck and remember:
“As long as there is a sunset, there will be a West” Dr. Lynn Phillips
