INFR Scholarship Recipients

Apr 01, 2007

For the second year in a row the Indian National Finals rodeo in conjunction with the Indigenous Learning Company, (ILC) is awarding college scholarships to seven commendable INFR members who are attending college this year. The INFR and ILC understand the importance of higher education and are delighted to present the following seven outstanding young people with 2006-07 INFR/ILC Scholarships:

Katelin Loring of Cut Bank, Montana is currently in her third year of college at Arizona State University. Thus far, she has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and has been admitted into the W.P. Carey School of Business. Katelin plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business and go right into a master’s program. After completing her M.B.A. from Arizona State University she would like to enter the business world, either working for a large industrial firm or becoming an entrepreneur and starting her own company. She feels Indian Rodeo has influenced her a great deal. “It has opened my eyes to many other cultures; I have seen a lot of diversity in traveling from reservation to reservation. I have met many beautiful and inspiring people at these rodeos. Indian rodeo offers so much for its contestants and I am proud to be a member of the Indian National Finals Rodeo Association,” Katelin concludes.

Edward “Eddie” C. Hawley Jr. is currently a senior at Montana State University-Bozeman, and plans to graduate with a B.S. in Construction Engineering Technology with a Business minor. His career goal is to work on or near a reservation. His interest in engineering comes from the knowledge he has gained from living on the Fort Belknap Reservation and working in various employment positions. Over the course of his work, Eddie has become aware of many of the important issues that are affecting his reservation and surrounding communities. As with most Indian Rodeo contestants, Eddie says that roping is a family tradition. “My parents have always told me that an education is yours, something you will always have,” he adds. Eddie is very thankful for his parents’ encouragement and wisdom. With perseverance and continued family support, Edward Hawley will be a first generation college graduate.

Dee Hall reflects on how Indian Rodeo has changed in the last 20 years. As she thinks back to the time when she was a Junior Indian Rodeo Champion, the biggest question that comes to her mind is “Where did all the educated cowboys and cowgirls come from?” Dee’s decided that she, too, would like to be an well-educated Indian cowgirl. She’s seen Indian Rodeo grow from 50 contestants to 350. She has seen a trend towards more and more educated Indian cowboys and cowgirls, with doctors, attorneys, teachers, among their ranks. Dee is currently an educator at the Blackfeet Community College, and will finish her Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis in Learning Development this year. Dee has participated in Indian Rodeo for 35 years, and says Indian Rodeo has been an asset to her life and continues to be for her children.

Sadie Johnson is a senior attending the University of Montana - Western, majoring in Elementary Education. When she first started college she had no idea what she wanted to focus on. She then became interested in the teaching profession while observing her mother, Robin Johnson, get her teaching degree. Sadie found that she can help children overcome a fear of learning, teaching them that anyone can learn. She feels there is no better way to help someone than to be a teacher. She believes education is very important in life, providing the building blocks necessary to turn dreams into reality.

Ever since Sandi Campbell can remember, she has wanted to be a teacher. She remembers playing with her sister and cousin and actually making them do homework! She feels the classroom environment and students are something that she could be around for the rest of her life – being in a classroom makes Sandi feel like she can help others. She wants to be the kind of teacher that makes a real and lasting difference in her students’ lives. She is currently a junior at Montana State University - Northern, and will be doing her student teaching in the fall of 2007. Sandi is about a year away from making the wish she has had since she was a little girl come true.

Yolonda Nez was told when making career decisions to enter an area that would generate enjoyment and curiosity. With that in mind, she let her love of rodeo help shape her educational goals. Rodeo has been a part of her life since the first grade. She is currently attending the University of Arizona and working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with an Equine option. Going through college, Yolonda says her life has been one of trial and error. She feels rodeo has provided a steadying influence, allowing her to travel, to meet positive, successful new people, and develop a strong sense of self-worth and direction.

Megan Lunak was born and raised in Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Reservation. She is currently attending the University of Montana - Western. Megan is working toward a degree in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in English. She will complete this degree in the fall of 2007. Coming from a strong family, she has learned that neither rodeo – nor education – are for the weak of heart. Whether in the classroom or in the rodeo arena, Megan always strives to give her personal best.

The Indian National Finals Rodeo and ILC would like to congratulate these wonderful INFR members on their successes, in the classroom as well as in the rodeo arena. Attending college is a difficult task in its self. Attending college and participating in the sport of rodeo is harder yet. These cowboys and cowgirls need to be commended on their hard work and dedication, both to their sport and to higher education. Next time you see one of these fine individuals around, walk up and shake their hand. Congratulate them and thank them for being such positive role models for Indian children.