Touching Lives

Scholarship Recipients

Each year, the American Paint Horse Foundation awards scholarship funds to some of AjPHA’s most-deserving young members. This year, a total of 46 Youth members received scholarships worth $46,000 to help fund their college educations, comprised of 19 new recipients and 27 renewals.

New scholarship recipients for 2011 - 2012 include:

Scholarship Recipient
Linné Beason
Arizona Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 2
Hometown: Poway, California
Attending: California State University–Fresno
Career Goal: Nurse
AjPHA Activities: Member of multiple regional clubs; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member and competitor; Southern California Professional Horse Association, Poway Valley Riders and the United States Equestrian Federation member; high school equestrian team varsity letter-earner and co-captain; Key Club; California Scholarship Federation; community service.

 “I chose nursing so I could help people and feel a general satisfaction in my work,” Linné said. “To know that I did something that helped someone else will be a fulfilling feeling.”

Scholarship Recipient
Katherine Beckett
Mikea Smith Honorarium Endowment Scholarship
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Attending: Texas A&M University
Career Goal: Landscape architect
AjPHA Activities: Gulf Coast Paint Horse Club member; AjPHA World Championship Horse Judging Contest participant; Youth Team Tournament participant; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member and officer; junior varsity volleyball; varsity softball and all-district team member; Austin Christian Leadership Academy; National Honor Society; honor roll; community service.

“I plan on opening my own firm, which will focus on the design of zoo habitats and equestrian facilities,” Katherine said. “On top of my career, I would like to open my own hippotherapy center in order to help challenged riders gain confidence.”

Scholarship Recipient
Michaela Brinkley
Central California Paint Horse Club Scholarship
Hometown: Fulton, Missouri
Attending: Williams Wood University
Career Goal: Elementary educator and coach
AjPHA Activities: Missouri Junior Paint Horse Club member; AjPHA World Championship Horse Judging Contest reserve world champion team member; Youth Team Tournament; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member and state champion; Varsity K-Club; DECA; member of several local horse associations; varsity and AAU basketball; basketball camp volunteer coach.

“Attending William Woods University will give me the opportunity to continue my showing success at the next level as well as educating young children and helping them chase their dreams,” Michaela said.

Scholarship Recipient
Christine Cobb
Utah Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 1
Hometown: Spring, Texas
Attending: Texas A&M University
Career Goal: Equine veterinarian
AjPHA Activities: Member of multiple regional clubs; Paint Possible participant; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: FFA member and competitor, and recipient of Greenhand and Chapter degrees; Mu Alpha Theta; National Honor Society; academic letter; community service.

“Throughout my years in AjPHA, I’ve learned that with hard work and dedication, you can accomplish your dreams,” Christine said. “It saddens me that this is my last year as a Youth, but I am so excited to get out into the world and start chasing the dreams that will shape the rest of my life.”

Scholarship Recipient
Madison Engels-Yarbrough
Arizona Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 3
Hometown: Kingman, Arizona
Attending: South Dakota State University
Career Goal: Large animal veterinarian
AjPHA Activities: PAC promoter for local 4-H program; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member, officer and state champion; National 4-H Congress delegate; National Honor Society; J.O.L.T; community service.

“Rural, large animal veterinary care is in high demand,” Madison said, “and although it is not always a lucrative career, it is my calling.”

Scholarship Recipient
Katelyn Gray
Zone 3 Endowment Scholarship No. 4
Hometown: Penrose, Colorado
Attending: Texas Christian University
Career Goal: Nurse anesthetist
AjPHA Activities: AjPHA national director; member and officer of multiple regional clubs; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: Colorado Hunter-Jumper Association participant; Student council officer; FBLA officer; National Honor Society representative; honor roll; Varsity Sports Lettermen’s Club for track, basketball and volleyball; volunteer.

“My parents, teachers and coaches have taught me the value of hard work and determination,” Katelyn said. “These lessons have carried over into my school work and have given me the drive I have to hold myself to such high standards.”

Scholarship Recipient
Brittany Hurst
Zone 1 Endowment Scholarship No. 2
Hometown: Long Island, Nebraska
Attending: University of Nebraska–Kearney
Career Goal: Vocal music or math teacher
AjPHA Activities: Nebraska Paint Horse Club member and officer; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member and exhibitor; Nebraska Horse Clubs Association member; Honor Roll; academic letter; musical productions; show choir; Sunday school teacher.

“Since I was very young, I have always wanted to be a teacher,” Brittany said. “I would always love to play school with my younger siblings and teach them everything I learned in school that day.”

Scholarship Recipient
Elizabeth Juette
Arizona Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 1
Hometown: Bakersfield, California
Attending: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Career Goal: Engineer
AjPHA Activities: AjPHA national director and Zone 2 representative; Arizona Paint Horse Club member; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member and exhibitor; National Honor Society; California Scholastic Federation; honor rolls; Medical Academy; varsity swim team; French Club; Key Club; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Link Crew; volunteer; community service.

“Engineering has always been my intended major,” Elizabeth said. “It is a way to express myself through creative and inventive problem-solving.”

Scholarship Recipient
Olivia Mack
Joann Cook Memorial Endowment Scholarship
Hometown: Wright City, Missouri Attending: University of Missouri–Columbia
Career Goal: Commercial airline pilot
AjPHA Activities: Missouri Junior Paint Horse Club member and officer; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: Mid-Rivers Saddle Club member and officer; student council; varsity lacrosse; honor roll; church.

“Through my show experience, I have met some of the most amazing people who have influenced my growth in character and leadership,” Olivia said. “Though many plans change and fade with time, I know for certain that my love for showing Paint Horses will never die.”

Scholarship Recipient
Austin Pappan
Illinois Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 1
Hometown: Prole, Iowa
Attending: Black Hawk College
Career Goal: Agribusiness
AjPHA Activities: AjPHA national director; Iowa Paint Horse Youth Club member and officer; Youth Team Tournament participant; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member and officer; member of multiple saddle clubs; Iowa Pinto Horse Club and Pinto Horse Association of America member; marching, jazz and concert band; soccer; choir; referee.

“I truly believe my involvement in showing has provided me a solid understanding of the importance of hard work, setting goals and dealing with setbacks,” Austin said. “I’m confident I will be successful.”

Scholarship Recipient
Elizabeth Peacock
Zone 3 Endowment Scholarship No. 1
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
Attending: University of Colorado–Boulder
Career Goal: Environmental engineer
AjPHA Activities: AjPHA treasurer and national director; member and officer of multiple regional clubs; AjPHA Youth Leadership Conference attendee; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member; Colorado Hunter-Jumper Association, Untied States Hunter-Jumper Association and United States Equine Federation member; academic letter, Seniors Women’s Club Art Club; mock trial; volunteer.

“I hope to become part of a large company and start to transform the energy industry,” Elizabeth said.

Scholarship Recipient
Kate Peterson
Arizona Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 6
Hometown: Chico, California
Attending: Texas Christian University
Career Goal: Economist or lawyer
AjPHA Activities: AjPHA president, president-elect and national director; AjPHA National Convention; California Paint Horse Club member; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement; volunteer; community service.

“These next four years will hopefully come together to show me a path where I can combine my past experiences in high school, leadership and showing horses with new knowledge and experiences to guide me into a career,” Kate said.

Scholarship Recipient
Paige Stawicki
Garnier Family Endowment Scholarship
Hometown: Argyle, Texas
Attending: University of Georgia
Career Goal: Plastic surgeon
AjPHA Activities: Member and officer of multiple regional clubs; Youth World Games participant; AjPHA Youth Leadership Conference attendee; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: Spanish 3 Student of the Year; National Honor Society; STUCO; Unicef; homecoming committee; Argyle athletic trainer; Argyle Cares and Argyle Nights; community service.

“I am a determined person with goals in life and I expect to succeed wherever my journey might lead,” Paige said. “I hope to one day change people’s lives through my job and inspire other young women to reach their goals.”

Scholarship Recipient
Allison Tuchrello
Paul White Memorial Endowment Scholarship
Hometown: Livonia, New York
Attending: Cornell University
Career Goal: Equine veterinarian
AjPHA Activities: Horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member and officer, and reserve champion in national horse bowl and hippology competition; High Standard Stable Show Team member; valedictorian; Bulldog Knowledge Award; Science Olympics co-captain; National Honor Society; mock trial; math team; I.C.E; drill team; Spanish club; teen council; therapeutic riding center volunteer; church.

“I knew I would help heal and free animals from their ailments,” Allison said. “It was my turn to return the favor to my best friend with four legs and help those without voices.”

Scholarship Recipient
Sarayah Voorhees
Keith Lamoine Memorial Endowment Scholarship
Hometown: Galt, California
Attending: University of the Pacific
Career Goal: Entrepreneur
AjPHA Activities: AjPHA national director; Youth World Games volunteer; Central California Junior Paint Horse Club member; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: United States Equestrian Federation and Pinto Horse Association of America member; honors student; California Scholarship Federation; varsity girls basketball captain; girls flag football captain; Ag Club; church; volunteer.

“I have had many small businesses throughout my childhood,” Saryah said. “These experiences gave me the dream and inspiration to eventually start a business of my own.”

Scholarship Recipient
Katrijn Whisenant
Zone 2 Endowment Scholarship
Hometown: Pasadena, California
Attending: California Polytechnic University
Career Goal: Equine veterinarian
AjPHA Activities: Member
Extracurricular Activities: National Merit Scholar; National Honor Society President; student body class representative; Green Club; concert and jazz band; Rose Bowl Riders participant; horse camp staff; National Reining Horse Association and Pinto Horse Association of America member; horse rescue volunteer.

“I will become an equine veterinarian and work with horse rescues to give back to these incredible, yet dependent, animals that have impacted my life so deeply,” Katrijn said.

Scholarship Recipient
Rebecca Wilkison
Bill and Joye Bryan Endowment Scholarship
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Attending: Laramie County Community College
Career Goal: Horse trainer and equine-assisted psychotherapist
AjPHA Activities: Rocky Mountain Junior Paint Horse Association member and officer; AjPHA World Championship Horse Judging Contest champion team; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H club member and officer; honor roll; certificate of achievement in leadership and academic improvement; school newspaper editor; Summit Leadership Group; volunteer; community service.

“Because horses have changed my life so much, I would love to use them to influence other people’s lives as well,” Rebecca said.

Scholarship Recipient
Tara Wilson
Robert and Mary Parrott Endowment Scholarship
Hometown: Tolar, Texas
Attending: New Mexico State University
Career Goal: Elementary educator
AjPHA Activities: AjPHA vice president and Zone 4 representative; Member of multiple regional clubs; AjPHA National Convention attendee; Youth Team Tournament; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H and FFA member and competitor; honor roll; track; cross country; basketball.

“I want to make an impact on students and let them know that learning is a wonderful thing,” Tara said.

Scholarship Recipient
Rachel Ziesmann
Utah Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 2
Hometown: Salem, Wisconsin
Attending: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Career Goal: Physician
AjPHA Activities: Wisconsin Paint Horse Club member; horse show exhibitor.
Extracurricular Activities: 4-H member, award winner and state champion; Wisconsin State 4-H Horse Association Board Youth Member; Wisconsin Interscholastic Horsemanship Association member; high school equestrian team participant and state champion; American Youth Horse Council Leadership Conference; National Honor Society; International Club; church.

“My family and I have been blessed with good health and opportunities,” Rachel said. “Because of this, I really would like to help those who aren’t as lucky.”

Scholarship renewalssals
Youth who had their scholarships renewed for 2011–2012 include:

  • Janell Baum, University Of Illinois
    Illinois Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 2
  • Blair Bergeson, Baylor University
    Lee Newsome Endowment Scholarship
  • Lauren Bork, Stockton College
    Lynn Simons Memorial Endowment Scholarship No. 1
  • Rachel Bruckner, Richland Community College
    Idaho Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship
  • Kelsey Champagne, South Dakota State University
    Zone 3 Endowment Scholarship No. 3
  • Katherine Daniel, Ohio State University
    California Paint Racing Endowment Scholarship
  • Lydia Dumont, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Dr. and Mrs. Lyle Wonderlich Endowment Scholarship
  • Pamela Evans, Oregon Institute of Technology
    Southwest Washington Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship
  • Cody Franklin, Pittsburg State University
    Floyd and Maryann Moore Endowment Scholarship No. 1
  • Karly Furnas, Western Kentucky University
    Dr. Bill Jackson Endowment Scholarship
  • Christine Gordon, Colorado Christian University
    Zone 3 Endowment Scholarship No. 2
  • Lyndsi Hardin, Texas Christian University
    Robert Haas Endowment Scholarship
  • Ethan Hefner, North Carolina State University
    Lynn Simons Memorial Endowment Scholarship No. 2
  • Austin Hornback, Texas Tech University
    Cross Timbers Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship
  • Elaine Horton, Linn Benton Community College
    Zone 1 Endowment Scholarship No. 3
  • Kaelee Jordan, Auburn University
    Nevada Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship
  • Alli Jorgenson, Saint Martin’s University
    Washington Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship
  • Kaitlin LeBlanc, University of Findlay
    Floyd and Maryann Moore Endowment Scholarship No. 2
  • Tawnie Moore, Mary Hardin Baylor University
    Duane Pettibone Memorial Endowment Scholarship
  • Patricia Morrison, Capital University
    Utah Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 3
  •  Cassandra Muxen, Pacific Lutheran University
    Zone 1 Endowment Scholarship No. 1
  • Kendra Quart, Arizona State University
    Roland and Joan Hoch Endowment Scholarship
  • Lisa Roberts, North Central Texas College
    Ark-La-Tex Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship
  • Cassandra Stambuk, Auburn University
    Arizona Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 4
  • Kristen Strom, Wright State University
    Matt Diamond Memorial Endowment Scholarship
  • Kathryn Tekulve, University of Arizona
    Arizona Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship No. 5
  •  Shelby Webb, South Dakota State University
    Nebraska Paint Horse Club Endowment Scholarship