The Sherri Gilkerson Memorial Foundation proudly announced the 2024-2025 academic scholarship winners. Each year, the Foundation awards scholarships to qualified students in honor of nationally known Reined Cow Horse trainer Sherri Gilkerson. After Sherri's untimely death in 2006, the foundation established academic scholarships in her name. The Foundation awards the scholarships to deserving students to honor and commemorate Sherri's legacy of excellence in and outside of the horse show arena.
“The Sherri Foundation was pleased to recognize such a diverse group of students from across the country. Some are freshmen, others are returning for postgraduate studies. You'll participate in a variety of top-notch programs, including equine studies, agricultural engineering, rangeland management, business, and various medical fields. Many compete on school horse and rodeo teams as well as NRCHA events. We are so proud of her participation and motivation to honor Sherri for her strenuous work,” said board member Cynthia MacDonald Singer.
To qualify for the exam, applicants must be enrolled in post-secondary education, demonstrate academic honors, have good citizenship, and either be a member of the NRCHA or be related to a member of the NRCHA. Applicants must submit a written application that includes essay questions. Applications must be submitted by June 30th of each year and can be found at: http://www.sherrifoundation.org/academic1.html.
Winner of the 2024-2025 Sherri Gilkerson Memorial Scholarship
Claire Edwards
Claire Edwards attends Texas Wesleyan University with a concentration in nursing anesthesia, is lively in Reined Cow Horse and is from Troy, TX.
Danli Valdez
Danli Valdez attends Novel Mexico Junior College with a major in equine science, is lively in cutting and reined cow horses and is from Animas, NM.
Bryce Barkemeyer
Bryce Barkemeyer attends Texas A&M with a concentration in agricultural economics, is a member of the Corps of Cadets, lively in Reined Cow Horse and is from Scottsdale, AZ.
Katie Huntzinger
Katie Huntzinger attends Texas A&M, is working on her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, is lively in Reined Cow Horse, and is from Tucson, AZ.
Elise Mason
Elise Mason attends the University of Tennessee Martin majoring in health and human performance, is a member of the UTM Equestrian Team, and is from Olympia, WA.
Shawny Telford
Shawny Telford attends Montana State University with a concentration in marketing, is lively in collegiate rodeo and reined cow horse, and is from Caldwell, ID.
Colton Martin
Colton Martin attends Sheridan College, WY, majoring in Rangeland Management, is lively in college rodeo and is from Beulah, ND.
Mary Ryan Branch
Mary Ryan Branch attends the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma with a concentration in biology and environmental sciences, is lively in Reined Cow Horse and is from Meridian, OK.
Baliegh Lane
Baliegh Lane studies equine science at Ohio University, is lively in cutting and reined cow horses and comes from Huntley, Wyoming.
