What does the ranching industry need to secure a successful future? The answer’s simple: It’s bright, ambitious young people who are committed to this way of life – the veterinarians, ranch managers and marketing professionals of the future. 

NEW 2008 RECIPIENTS

Justin Wayne Baker ofClayton, Idaho, will attend Central Arizona College in the fall, getting his welding certificate. He plans to go back to the family ranch and put his welding skills to work. 

Brent Cole Brown of Turkey, Texas, plans to attend Texas Tech majoring in petroleum engineering. He was valedictorian of his class.

Denny Lyle Burnett of Hope, N.M., will be a junior at New Mexico State, majoring in ag business & economics.

Mica Diane Burtin of Eureka, Kan., will be a senior at Emporia State University and is going to be a teacher.

Brandi Lynn Buzzard of Colony, Kan., will be a senior at Kansas State University and is an ag econ/animal science & industry major.

Eric Justin Hess of Mabton, Wash., will attend Blue Mountain Community College in the fall, majoring in ag management & business.

Carrisa Renee Jones of Sunray, Texas, will attend South Plains College at Levelland, Texas, majoring in animal science & physiology of reproduction.

Clinton L. Laflin of Eureka, Kan., will attend Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kan., majoring in ag communications.

Sarah Michelle Lofton of Coleman, Texas, will attend West Texas A&M University in Canyon, studying agri-business & equine business.

Shantell Evelyn Moyers of Las Vegas, N.M., will attend New Mexico Highlands University majoring in social work. Both her father and her husband work on ranches in the Las Vegas area.

Bethanne Timbra Overstreet of Alanreed, Texas, will attend Oklahoma Panhandle State University in the fall, majoring in education.

Sean Thomas Reagan of Fort Sumner, N.M., has completed the Range Management Program at Texas Christian University and will be a junior at New Mexico State University this fall.

Calvin Daugherty from Silverton, Texas, is the recipient of the American Chuck Wagon Association scholarship, presented by WRCF. He plans to attend Clarendon College and later transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Daugherty refurbished an authentic chuck wagon and, for the past six years, has used it to run his own catering business. He participated in the inaugural WRCF Chuck Wagon Champions Challenge.

RETURNING RECIPIENTS

Annie Maddalena is from Sierraville, Calif., and will begin work on her master’s degree this fall at California State University at Chico in agricultural & resource economics. Her thesis will be on beef marketing trends and analyzing the economic aspects and price premiums realized by different marketing terms.

Randi Cutrell is the recipient of the Gordon Whipple Memorial Scholarship. Gordon was a founding member of WRCA and helped to make this association what it is today. Randi is a senior at Eastern New Mexico University at Portales and will be doing her student teaching this year.

Amanda Cruse is the recipient of the “Doc” Wohler Memorial Scholarship. Doc was the founder of Texas Vet Lab and a huge supporter of WRCA, WRCF and the cowboy lifestyle. Amanda will be a junior at Texas Tech University this fall, majoring in business management.

Alicia Daugherty is from Alpine, Texas and is the recipient of the Jack Cates Memorial Scholarship. Jack was known as a top hand, a working cowboy, a rancher, a man of the West -- but may be best known for his hard work in the North American Corriente Association. Alicia will be a junior at Texas Tech University this fall, majoring in animal science.

Michelle Green is the recipient of the Jim Donaldson Memorial Scholarship. Jim was a longtime supporter of both WRCA and WRCF who passed away in 2005. Michelle will be a senior this fall at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, majoring in agribusiness.

Cheyenne White is the recipient of the Sheri Garmon Memorial Scholarship. Sheri was a WRCA director and a CPA who worked tirelessly to keep the association on solid financial footing. Sheri died in September 2005, after a valiant fight from liver cancer. Cheyenne will be a senior this fall at West Texas A&M University, majoring in ag communications.

Hayley Chesser is the recipient of the Andy Hamilton Memorial Scholarship. Hayley will be a student this fall at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colo. Then, in the spring of 2009, she will start classes at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where she will be a junior majoring in agribusiness management.

Amy Berry is from Cheyenne, Wyo., and is a junior at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, majoring in animal science.

Kitson Brown is from Lance Creek, Wyo., and will be a senior at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington. Kitson is in their veterinary technology program.

JoAnna Elliott is from Guthrie, Texas, and will be a sophomore at Texas Tech University in the fall, majoring in ag communcations.

Luke England is from Winters, Texas, and will be a sophomore at Texas Tech University in the fall, majoring in biomedical engineering.

Sara Morrison is from Ruby Valley, Nev. She will be a junior this fall at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., majoring in agribusiness.

Dayla Shipp is from Guthrie, Texas, and will be a sophomore at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, this fall, majoring in agribusiness and natural resources.

Lindy Lee Wiggins is from Eureka, Kan., and will be a sophomore at Oklahoma State University, majoring in ag communications and Spanish.