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| Copyright (c) 2007-2008 Indian National Finals Rodeo |
The INFR Recognizes the Importance of Higher Education
By: Kari Zubach - INFR Correspondent
For the second year in a row the Indian National Finals rodeo in conjunction with the Indigenous
Learning Company, (ILC) awarded college scholarships to seven commendable INFR members
who are attending college this year. The INFR feels that higher education is an important aspect of
a person’s life. It is within the mission statement of the INFR to recognize the importance of higher
education and it is the intent of the INFR to support the goals and aspirations of the members of
the Indian National Finals Rodeo. The following individuals were recipients of the 2006-07
INFR/ILC Scholarship;
Katelin Loring of Cut Bank, Montana is currently in her third year of college at Arizona State
University. Thus far, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has been admitted into the W.P. Carey
School of Business. She plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business and go right into
a master’s program. After completing her M.B.A. from Arizona State University she would like to
enter the business world either working for a large industrial firm or by being an entrepreneur and
starting her own business. She feels Indian Rodeo has influenced her a great deal. “It has opened
my eyes to many other cultures; I have seen a lot of diversity in traveling from reservation to
reservation. I have met many beautiful and inspiring people at these rodeos. Indian rodeo offers so
much for its contestants and I am proud to be a member of the Indian National Finals Rodeo
Association.”
Edward “Eddie” C. Hawley Jr. is currently a senior at MSU-Bozeman hoping to graduate with a B.S.
in Construction Engineering Technology with a Business minor. His career goal is to work on or
near a reservation. His interest in engineering comes from the knowledge he has gained from
living on the Fort Belknap Reservation and working in various employment positions. He has been
made aware of important issues that are affecting his reservation and surrounding communities.
As with most Indian Rodeo contestants, roping is a family tradition for Ed. He says, “My parents
have always told me that an education is yours, something you will always have.” He is very
thankful for their support and wisdom. With perseverance and continued family support Ed Hawley
will be a first generation college graduate.
Dee Hall reflects on how Indian Rodeo has changed in the last 20 years. As she remembers how
Indian Rodeo was when she was a Jr. Indian Rodeo Champion the biggest question that comes
to mind is “Where did all the educated cowboys and cowgirls come from?” She has decided that
she too, would like to be an educated Indian cowgirl. She has seen Indian Rodeo grow from 50
contestants to 350. She has seen a trend with educated Indian cowboys and cowgirls with some
being doctors, attorneys, teachers, and various other professions. Currently she is an educator at
the Blackfeet Community College and will finish her Masters Degree in Education with an
emphasis in Learning Development this year. She has been a member of Indian Rodeo for 35
years and says Indian Rodeo has been an asset to her life and continues to be for her children.
Sadie Johnson is a senior attending the University of Montana - Western, majoring in Elementary
Education. When she first started college she had no idea what she wanted to major in. She then
became interested in the teaching profession while observing her mother, Robin Johnson, get her
teaching degree. She has observed teachers and has truly come to love the teaching profession.
She found that she can help children overcome the fear of learning and to teach them that anyone
can learn. She feels there is no better way in helping someone than to be a teacher. She believes
education is very important in life and is the building blocks to making dreams become a reality.
Ever since Sandi Campbell can remember, she has wanted to become a teacher. She
remembers playing with her sister and cousin and actually making them do homework. She feels
the classroom environment and the students are something that she could be around for the rest
of her life. Being in a classroom makes her feel like she can help others. Sandi wants to be that
teacher that makes a difference in her student’s lives. She is currently a junior in college at
Montana State University - Northern, and will be doing her student teaching in the fall of 2007.
Sandi is about a year away from making the wish she has had since she was a little girl come true.
Yolonda Nez was told when making her career decisions to enter an area that would generate
enjoyment and curiosity. With that in mind, she derived her educational goals from the sport of
rodeo. Rodeo has been a part of her life since the first grade. She is currently attending the
University of Arizona and working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with an Equine
option. Going through college, Yolonda says her life has been trial and error, prolonging, and
unpredictable. Yet she looks forward to graduating and establishing herself as a successful
individual. She feels rodeo has played a positive role in her life. Not only has rodeo allowed her to
travel to meet new people, it has helped her develop constructive characteristics. It has also
expanded her point of view by taking her to new places in life, and establishing direction for her
future to come.
Megan Lunak was born and raised in Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Reservation. Currently,
she is attending the University of Montana - Western. She is working toward a degree in Secondary
Education, with an emphasis in English. She will complete this degree in the fall of 2007. Coming
from a strong family, she has learned that an education and rodeo are not for the weak hearted.
She also knows that both an education and rodeo are worth every single dedicated move she
makes. She has dedicated her life to excelling in the wonderful sport of rodeo and will do her best
to be a good ambassador of Indian Rodeo. Rodeo is a big part of who she is and who she will be
in the future. When it comes to being in the classroom or the rodeo arena Megan always strives to
give her personal best.
The Indian National Finals Rodeo along with the ILC would like to congratulate these wonderful
INFR members on their successes both in the classroom as well as the rodeo arena. Attending
college is a difficult task in its self. Attending college and participating in the sport of rodeo is
harder yet. These cowboys and cowgirls need to be commended on their hard work and
dedication the sport of rodeo and higher education. Next time you see one of these fine individuals
around, walk up and shake their hands. Tell them congratulations and thanks for being a positive
role model for Indian children.
By: Kari Zubach - INFR Correspondent
For the second year in a row the Indian National Finals rodeo in conjunction with the Indigenous
Learning Company, (ILC) awarded college scholarships to seven commendable INFR members
who are attending college this year. The INFR feels that higher education is an important aspect of
a person’s life. It is within the mission statement of the INFR to recognize the importance of higher
education and it is the intent of the INFR to support the goals and aspirations of the members of
the Indian National Finals Rodeo. The following individuals were recipients of the 2006-07
INFR/ILC Scholarship;
Katelin Loring of Cut Bank, Montana is currently in her third year of college at Arizona State
University. Thus far, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has been admitted into the W.P. Carey
School of Business. She plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business and go right into
a master’s program. After completing her M.B.A. from Arizona State University she would like to
enter the business world either working for a large industrial firm or by being an entrepreneur and
starting her own business. She feels Indian Rodeo has influenced her a great deal. “It has opened
my eyes to many other cultures; I have seen a lot of diversity in traveling from reservation to
reservation. I have met many beautiful and inspiring people at these rodeos. Indian rodeo offers so
much for its contestants and I am proud to be a member of the Indian National Finals Rodeo
Association.”
Edward “Eddie” C. Hawley Jr. is currently a senior at MSU-Bozeman hoping to graduate with a B.S.
in Construction Engineering Technology with a Business minor. His career goal is to work on or
near a reservation. His interest in engineering comes from the knowledge he has gained from
living on the Fort Belknap Reservation and working in various employment positions. He has been
made aware of important issues that are affecting his reservation and surrounding communities.
As with most Indian Rodeo contestants, roping is a family tradition for Ed. He says, “My parents
have always told me that an education is yours, something you will always have.” He is very
thankful for their support and wisdom. With perseverance and continued family support Ed Hawley
will be a first generation college graduate.
Dee Hall reflects on how Indian Rodeo has changed in the last 20 years. As she remembers how
Indian Rodeo was when she was a Jr. Indian Rodeo Champion the biggest question that comes
to mind is “Where did all the educated cowboys and cowgirls come from?” She has decided that
she too, would like to be an educated Indian cowgirl. She has seen Indian Rodeo grow from 50
contestants to 350. She has seen a trend with educated Indian cowboys and cowgirls with some
being doctors, attorneys, teachers, and various other professions. Currently she is an educator at
the Blackfeet Community College and will finish her Masters Degree in Education with an
emphasis in Learning Development this year. She has been a member of Indian Rodeo for 35
years and says Indian Rodeo has been an asset to her life and continues to be for her children.
Sadie Johnson is a senior attending the University of Montana - Western, majoring in Elementary
Education. When she first started college she had no idea what she wanted to major in. She then
became interested in the teaching profession while observing her mother, Robin Johnson, get her
teaching degree. She has observed teachers and has truly come to love the teaching profession.
She found that she can help children overcome the fear of learning and to teach them that anyone
can learn. She feels there is no better way in helping someone than to be a teacher. She believes
education is very important in life and is the building blocks to making dreams become a reality.
Ever since Sandi Campbell can remember, she has wanted to become a teacher. She
remembers playing with her sister and cousin and actually making them do homework. She feels
the classroom environment and the students are something that she could be around for the rest
of her life. Being in a classroom makes her feel like she can help others. Sandi wants to be that
teacher that makes a difference in her student’s lives. She is currently a junior in college at
Montana State University - Northern, and will be doing her student teaching in the fall of 2007.
Sandi is about a year away from making the wish she has had since she was a little girl come true.
Yolonda Nez was told when making her career decisions to enter an area that would generate
enjoyment and curiosity. With that in mind, she derived her educational goals from the sport of
rodeo. Rodeo has been a part of her life since the first grade. She is currently attending the
University of Arizona and working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with an Equine
option. Going through college, Yolonda says her life has been trial and error, prolonging, and
unpredictable. Yet she looks forward to graduating and establishing herself as a successful
individual. She feels rodeo has played a positive role in her life. Not only has rodeo allowed her to
travel to meet new people, it has helped her develop constructive characteristics. It has also
expanded her point of view by taking her to new places in life, and establishing direction for her
future to come.
Megan Lunak was born and raised in Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Reservation. Currently,
she is attending the University of Montana - Western. She is working toward a degree in Secondary
Education, with an emphasis in English. She will complete this degree in the fall of 2007. Coming
from a strong family, she has learned that an education and rodeo are not for the weak hearted.
She also knows that both an education and rodeo are worth every single dedicated move she
makes. She has dedicated her life to excelling in the wonderful sport of rodeo and will do her best
to be a good ambassador of Indian Rodeo. Rodeo is a big part of who she is and who she will be
in the future. When it comes to being in the classroom or the rodeo arena Megan always strives to
give her personal best.
The Indian National Finals Rodeo along with the ILC would like to congratulate these wonderful
INFR members on their successes both in the classroom as well as the rodeo arena. Attending
college is a difficult task in its self. Attending college and participating in the sport of rodeo is
harder yet. These cowboys and cowgirls need to be commended on their hard work and
dedication the sport of rodeo and higher education. Next time you see one of these fine individuals
around, walk up and shake their hands. Tell them congratulations and thanks for being a positive
role model for Indian children.
