MISS RODEO AMERICA SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
The Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation began humbly in 1997, with a generous donation from the Wrangler Corporation and currently gives approximately $115,000 in scholarships annually. We give a $1,500 scholarship to every girl who competes during the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, held annually, in conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV. In 1998 the IRS confirmed our 501c3 status. Since our inception the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation has made approximately 1 million dollars in scholarships available to recipients.
The Miss Rodeo America program provides one of the most visible media spokespersons for the sport of professional rodeo and the Western way of life. Since its inception in 1955, the Miss Rodeo America Pageant has recognized the need for scholarships to help contestants further their education. The Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation was established to broaden the scope of the scholarship program. The Foundation distributes thousands of dollars annually in scholarship benefits to help talented, deserving young women further their studies and become tomorrow’s leaders. Recipients have gone on to be veterinarians, attorneys, doctors, nurses, college professors, teachers and television stars to name a few.
The stated goal is to provide scholarship awards to qualifying women participating in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. These young women have won the responsibility of representing their home state, the sport of rodeo and the western way of life. The Scholarship Foundation has no paid employees and limited overhead which allows it to apply more money for the intended scholarships.
Scholarships are paid directly to educational institutions or may be used to pay off existing educational loans.
Donations in any amount are encouraged and greatly appreciated. A donation via check may be made out to MRASF (Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation) and mailed to 101 Pro Rodeo Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80919. Donations online using a credit card may be done through Pay Pal at www.missrodeoamerica.com. Monetary Donations may be in the form of a one-time gift, or as an ongoing commitment through a structured payment schedule. Additionally stocks, bonds, property or naming the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy are all equally valuable ways of supporting the Foundation. Bequests to the Foundation through a will, trust or other estate planning vehicle will serve as a lifelong memorial to honor a friend or loved one. Your contribution is 100% tax deductible as allowed by law.
The Foundation Board currently consists of 7 members but can have as many as 15. Currently on the board are Karie O’Donnell-Herbers, Carla Spence, Barb Carr, Kelly Baxley, Berlyn Miller, Mark Reinert, and Dorie Tucker.
Your support of the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation benefits the scholarship recipients by providing financial assistance to further educational goals. Your tax deductible gift also benefits the community at large by helping quality young women from throughout the country become our future leaders, who are dedicated, loyal and energetic in their quest to preserve the legacy and legends of the American West.
PHOTO: Mary Shaw, Miss Rodeo America 1998, on college graduation day.
