Heather Hays Stinnett Memorial Scholarship
CCW is very pleased to reveal the inaugural Heather Hays Stinnett Scholarship recipients for 2024, Kyli Kraft and Maggie Chase. Kyli is being awarded the $4,000 scholarship and Maggie is being awarded the $1,000 scholarship.
As a fifth-generation farmer and rancher, Kyli Kraft experienced the beef industry firsthand through her family's Angus and Haying operations and agricultural risk management business. Now, as a junior majoring in Agribusiness at West Texas A&M University, she is passionate about carrying on the traditions and legacies instilled in her agricultural upbringing. She desires to help farmers and ranchers make wise financial decisions to mitigate market risk such as persistent drought, negative consumer perception, or economic challenges to protect the thin margins within the cattle market.
She is actively promoting and uniting the agriculture industry through WT’s Agriculture Ambassador program, founding a community-wide BBQ at WT with the intent to "Unite Panhandle Agriculture" called Fall Gather, serving as a director on the National Junior Angus Board or leading the first and largest Collegiate Farm Bureau in Texas.
“I am honored to represent Heather Hays Stinnett as the first recipient of the Heather Hays Stinnett Memorial Scholarship,” Kraft says. “Thank you for your generosity and belief in my future. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Colorado's Outstanding CattleWomen and the Agriculture Industry.”
Maggie Chase is a fifth-generation cattle producer from McClave, Colorado. She attends Texas Tech University, where she is pursuing a degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Business. She then plans to pursue a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition or beef reproduction and eventually return home to her family’s cattle operation.
“I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of the next generation responsible for providing the world with the best tasting, #1 source of protein, beef,” Chase says. “I am very grateful for the support of the Colorado CattleWomen in my endeavor!”
The Heather Hays Stinnett Memorial Scholarship honors Colorado CattleWomen Past President Heather Stinnett. The Scholarship will be $4,000. Applications were due April 1, 2024 and the scholarship will be awarded at the 2024 Colorado CattleWomen annual convention.
Watch for information coming on the 2025 scholarship!
Eligibility:
- Female
- Junior, Senior, or a Graduate student at an accredited 4-year university or college
- Agriculture or Agriculture related major (ex. Pre vet)
- Colorado Resident (may attend an out of state institution)
- 3.0 GPA
Preference:
- Beef production or affiliated industry background
- Collegiate CattleWomen officer, State FFA officer, or State 4-H officer
Requirements:
- Cover sheet with name, address, and email. If the address is not in Colorado, describe qualification. (ex. Parents address)
- One page essay on “How I plan to influence the beef industry and agriculture with my chosen major.”
- A brief resume that includes: work history, community involvement, college activities and future goals.
- Two letters of reference
- Current official college transcript
- An interview may be required via zoom
- Attendance at the Colorado Cattlewomen’s convention for award presentation in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 24-26, 2024.
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.