State and National Scholarships
WHSRA Scholarships & Awards
Completion of scholarship application, list of activities, statement, and grades is required for consideration and will be reviewed by the scholarship committee.
Wisconsin High School Rodeo Scholarships: 4 @ $200
- Best candidates are active with WHSRA and a great helper in and out of the arena.
- Must meet fundraising requirements, grade requirements and be in good standing.
- Great examples include – flag carrier, setup and tear down, event directors, etc.
- Winner to submit first semester college grades to Toni Henry to receive funds.
- Send thank you card to current WHSRA President.
Richland Center Rodeo Committee Scholarship: 1 @ $250
- Best candidate includes someone that stands out as a helper or competitor, is an asset to rodeo and is willing to go above and beyond.
- Winner to submit first semester college grades to RCRC to receive funds.
- RC Rodeo Committee, Attn: Kenda Deaver, 22230 Victoria Ln. Richland Center, WI 53581
- Send thank you card to same address.
John & Bernice “Bea” Huston Scholarship: 1 @ $500
- Best candidate is outstanding in the arena and will go above and beyond.
- John was a founding member & announcer for years in the Sparta/Tomah area.
- Send thank you card: Jon Huston, 19 Swann Wynd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268
Fran Clossey Memorial Scholarship: 1 Girl @ $200
- Hard luck cowgirl, didn’t make it Nationals, but never gave up trying.
- The Clossey family has made this available for 11 years starting in 2019.
- Funds available upon selection.
- Send thank you card: Judy Clossey, 11447 S County Rd K, Beloit, WI 53511
Culvers Scholarship: 1 @$500
- Recipient must attend secondary education with a major in Agriculture
- Becky Burcalow is contact with Culvers.
- Potentially available if renewed, starting 2021.
- Send thank you to: Culvers, Attn. Jesse Kreke, 1240 Water St, Prairie Du Sac, WI 53578
Other Scholarships and Awards
- James Lease Memorial Award: Top hand high point cowboy at state final.
Buckle (ordered by RCRC)
Send thank you card to address in box with buckle.
Knapp Award: Delores and Doug Knapp Memorial Sportsmanship award plaque.
Buckle (ordered by RCRC)
Thank you card to: Roger Knapp & Family, 11842 Shady Dell Rd. Mt. Hope, WI 53816
Schneider Award: Cowboy, high point freshman timed event.
Buckle (ordered by RCRC)
Send thank you card to address in box with buckle.
NHSRA Merit Scholarships 5 @ $1,000.00
- Based on grades and rodeo performance.
- Recipient’s selected at WHSRA Board.
NHSRA Crisis Fund Hard Luck Scholarship: Cowboy or Cowgirl $250.00 scholarship.
- Specific Qualifications required “Crisis Fund Basket Contest” NJHFR & NHSFR.
- Up for yearly approval which is determined at Mid-Winter Meeting (see below).
- Recipient selected by WHSRA Board.
Teskey Saddle Shop: 1 @ $250
- The National Teskey “Top Hand” for horsemanship.
- Recipient selected by WHSRA Board.
NHSRA National Spirit Buckle – Buckles (ordered by RCRC)
- Recipient selected by WHSRA Board.
Gist: Rookie Cowgirl and Cowboy – Buckles (ordered by RCRC)
All-Around and Reserve All-Around Cowboy and Cowgirl: Saddle, breast collar
- Points tabulated at State Finals based on criteria agreed upon yearly by WHSRA Board.
WHSRA: Miss Congeniality – Plaque (ordered by RCRC)
- Selection via vote by High School Girls.
- Thank you card to Sponsors that RCRC receives. Sponsor could be different each year.
- Send thank you card to address on back of plaque: For 2021, Organic Valley, LaFarge, WI
Scholarship Committee: Toni Henry, Christine Tuescher, Niki Dunn, Roger Knapp, Pam Shaw,
Jim Brandemuehl, Carm Schneider
NHSRA Crisis Fund Hard Luck Scholarship
In an effort to advertise and promote the NHSRA Crisis Fund, the association would like to give back to our States/Provinces/Countries who make our annual fundraising a success. The NHSRA Crisis Fund Hard Luck Scholarship will be given out annually at each state finals rodeo starting in the 2020-2021 Season.
Qualifications:
States/Provinces/Countries that participate in the “Crisis Fund Basket Contest” will be given a $250.00 scholarship if the following criteria is met:
- Basket donated raises at least $300.00 at the previous National Finals or a cash donation of $500 (or more) is made towards the Crisis Fund.
- If both the Junior High and High School associations meet the qualifications both associations will receive $250.00 scholarships.
- Qualification for scholarship begins at the 2021 NJHFR & NHSFR.
Specific Information about the Scholarship
- The Crisis Fund Committee will decide each Mid-Winter Meeting if the program can be funded for that year. The program can be eliminated at any time at the discretion of the committee or Executive Board.
- States/ Provinces/ Countries will be notified in September, following the National Finals, if they will be receiving a scholarship for the upcoming Spring season.
- Qualifying states will report the name of the recipient on Hard Luck Scholarship Claim Form to the National Office and will be returned with the National Finals paperwork. The claim form will be included in State Finals box.
- Funds will be distributed by the National Office to recipient of the Hard Luck Scholarship upon receiving the claim form and proof of post-secondary schooling enrollment. Examples of proof: acceptance letter, copy of class schedule, or tuition statement.
- Scholarship funds will be held until year of High School graduation
- Example: A 6th grader who is awarded the Hard Luck Scholarship will receive the $250 funds upon High School graduation and proof of enrollment
Suggested Qualifications for the Scholarship
- “Hard Luck” means experiencing bad luck or difficulty. This is not only bad luck in the arena, but also life circumstances (financial, social, family).
- Intent to further education after high school.
- Contestant that has empathy towards others based on his/her situation.
- Contestant may have had to persevere through a difficult situation.