Colorado CattleWomen Legacy Scholarship

The Colorado CattleWomen (CCW) announce the 2026 CattleWomen Legacy Scholarship. The Heather Hays Stinnett Memorial Scholarship honors Colorado CattleWomen Past President Heather Hays Stinnett and will be awarded to a woman pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Heather was a staunch advocate for the beef industry and a proud fifth generation Coloradoan who traced her cattle industry heritage to early Colorado statehood and ranches homesteaded by ancestors on both sides of her family. Heather’s agricultural credentials include serving as Colorado FFA Reporter, judging livestock at Seward Community College and graduating from Oklahoma State University with degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Communications. She and her family owned a feed store, raised commercial cattle, and operated a custom grazing enterprise. Heather served as the President of the CCW from 2017 to 2019. She then served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the American National Cattlewomen in 2019.

Applications are closed for 2026. Please check back next year in January 2027 for scholarship details!

Eligibility:

  1. Female
  2. College Junior, college Senior, or a Graduate student at an accredited 4-year university or college in Fall 2026
  3. Agriculture or Agriculture related major (ex. Pre vet)
  4. Colorado Resident (may attend an out of state institution)
  5. 3.0 GPA

Preference:

  1. Beef production or affiliated industry background
  2. Collegiate CattleWomen officer, State FFA officer, or State 4-H officer

Requirements:

  1. Cover sheet with name, address, and email. If the address is not in Colorado, describe qualification. (ex. Parents address)
  2. One page essay on “How I plan to influence the beef industry and agriculture with my chosen major.”
  3. A brief resume that includes: work history, community involvement, college activities and future goals.
  4. Two letters of reference
  5. Current official college transcript
  6. An interview may be required via zoom
  7. Attendance at the Colorado Cattlewomen’s convention for award presentation in 2026.

Heather Hays Stinnett Memorial Scholarship

Colorado CattleWomen Legacy Scholarship Winners – 2026

We are proud to announce the winners of 2026 CCW Legacy Scholarship.

Olivia Rossi will be given $4,000 to assist in continuing her education at Kansas State University studying Animal Science and Industry, a flexible degree pathway into agricultural policy. She is the fifth generation on her family’s cow-calf operation in Northwestern Colorado. Growing up, she was active in 4-H and FFA showing cattle, livestock judging and held numerous leadership positions. While at Butler Community College she studied Agribusiness and was part of the Livestock judging team, Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter and as an Ag Ambassador. She has remained passionate and active with Routt County CattleWomen and CCW. She was an instructor at the first training for the new Beef Ambassador program. One letter of recommendation stated, “Olivia embodies the values of the organization and represents the future of the beef industry with professionalism and purpose.” We are so proud of her accomplishments and can’t wait to see her continued impact on the cattle industry in Colorado.

Sarah Liepold will be given $1,000 to assist in continuing her education at the University of Wyoming studying Agriculture Business concentration on Livestock Management. She grew up in Arvada starting her 4-H career when she won a market steer through an essay contest. That experience started her passion for cattle and agriculture. This nontraditional ranch background has given her a unique understanding of the many challenges facing the beef industry and the ever-growing gap between beef producer reality and consumer education. In furthering her education, she has lived and worked on purebred Hereford seedstock operation in Canada, worked in France and England working on different farm operations. Additionally for the past five years, she has worked as National Western Stock Show staff specifically with exhibitors and yard cattle. Most recently, she was selected as a Wyoming Beef Ambassador for 2026. One recommendation letter stated, “Sarah has a deep appreciation for the beef industry and for agriculture. She is well-spoken and enjoys being an advocate for the industry.” We are so proud she is choosing to be involved in our beef industry and look forward to watching her path forward.

2026 HHS scholarship recipient

Click on the pictures below to read about past scholarship recipients.

If you are looking for a  great place for year-end tax donations or even estate planning or memorial gifts, please consider donating to CCW and our Heather Hays Stinnett Memorial scholarship. It gives you a way to continue providing a legacy in growing the future of the Colorado Beef industry as well as the greater world of agriculture. THANK YOU! We appreciate you!

Checks can be sent to: Kathleen Shoemaker, 1040 Lone Tree Circle, Canon City, CO  81212.