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 being accepted for the scholarship until April 15, 2026 and the scholarship will be awarded in June at the 2026 Colorado CattleWomen annual meeting in Loveland. Women who are a Colorado resident, and will be a college Junior, a college Senior, or a college Graduate student at an accredited 4-year university or college in Fall 2026, majoring in agriculture or an agricultural related major aspiring to work in or advocate for the beef industry are encouraged to apply.

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.

Email application to coloradocattlewomen@gmail.com by midnight of April 15, 2026.

Heather Hays Stinnett Memorial Scholarship

Colorado CattleWomen Legacy Scholarship in Memory of Heather Hays Stinnett

CCW is very pleased to announce the Colorado CattleWomen Legacy Scholarship winners for 2025. Currently, this scholarship honors the work of past president Heather Hays Stinnett. We had a diverse group of highly qualified women from across the state of Colorado making the decision challenging for the scholarship committee.

Molly McMurry, Nathrop, Colo., is being awarded a $4,000 scholarship. She is the fifth generation on her family ranch and attends the University of Wyoming with dual major in Animal Science and Ranch Management Agricultural Leadership. She states in her essay her belief in the upmost importance is that consumers and policy makers understand what some of beef industry practices are and where their food comes from. Her plans include utilizing her education from everything to proper range management, making a business plan, using proper nutrition and her leadership skills to influence the industry. Her letters of reference included statements like, “talented and aspiring individual who is engaging, thoughtful and impressive intellectually.”

Samantha Voeglein, Ft Collins, Colo., is being awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Samantha grew up on a cattle ranch and attends Colorado State University majoring in Animal Science. Her ultimate goal is as an Extension Livestock Specialist combining her knowledge of animal science with her passion for education. She wants to teach youth about the significance of agriculture, guide adults interested in raising livestock and assist ranchers in improving their operations. Her letters of reference included statements about her being an, “incredibly determined and assertive person, whose commitment to the agricultural industry is evident in everything she does.”

We are so pleased to contribute to the success of these two young women and look forward to their involvement in CCW.

2025 Heather Hays Stinnett Scholarship Recipients

Click here to read about the 2024 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.