Western "Heritage Keeper" Awardees

Annually, the Prescott Western Heritage Foundation selects an individual and/or an organization for the prestigious Western "Heritage Keeper" Award for exceptional preservation and promotion of our western heritage.  Additionally, scholarships are awarded to youth who are committed to preserving and promoting our western heritage.  Please join us in celebrating these individuals and organizations!

2019
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The Desert Caballeros Western Museum
Since opening its doors in 1969, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum has continually surprised and delighted visitors with an ever-evolving treasure trove of art and artifacts that tells the history of the American West.  In 50 years, DCWM has grown from a local historical society to a nationally-recognized center for Western art and culture, thanks to the heart, passion, and dedication of Wickenburg's community which built a world-class museum in a small town, not once but twice, after a devastating fire consumed the museum building in 1972.  Today, DCWM is a cultural oasis in the Sonoran Desert where breathtaking art collections come alive next to interactive recreations of life in 1912 Wickenburg.

With an eye on the horizon, DCWM hosts its annual Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West invitational exhibition and sale each spring, a gathering of 60 of the country's finest women Western artists.  Now in its 15th year, Cowgirl Up! turns the spotlight squarely on women's voices and perspectives, serving up a new, deeper understanding of the American West.

Through its distinct dedication to western art, of all forms, The Prescott Western Heritage Foundation is pleased to recognize the Desert Caballeros Western Museum as this year's Organization Western "Heritage Keeper."
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Kathy McCraine - Rancher, Writer, Photographer, and Publisher
Since opening its doors in 1969, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum has continually surprised and delighted visitors with an ever-evolving treasure trove of art and artifacts that tells the history of the American West.  In 50 years, DCWM has grown from a local historical society to a nationally-recognized center for Western art and culture, thanks to the heart, passion, and dedication of Wickenburg's community which built a world-class museum in a small town, not once but twice, after a devastating fire consumed the museum building in 1972.  Today, DCWM is a cultural oasis in the Sonoran Desert where breathtaking art collections come alive next to interactive recreations of life in 1912 Wickenburg.

With an eye on the horizon, DCWM hosts its annual Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West invitational exhibition and sale each spring, a gathering of 60 of the country's finest women Western artists.  Now in its 15th year, Cowgirl Up! turns the spotlight squarely on women's voices and perspectives, serving up a new, deeper understanding of the American West.

Through its distinct dedication to western art, of all forms, The Prescott Western Heritage Foundation is pleased to recognize the Desert Caballeros Western Museum as this year's Organization Western "Heritage Keeper."

Western "Heritage Keeper" Scholarship Awardees
Sponsored by Sandi & Craig Brown
​and
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Rocky Rodriguez
​Born to Prescott natives, Richard and Dena Rodriguez, Rocky was destined to be a cowgirl. Her love for all things western was evident very early on.  Rocky began competing in local gymkhanas and barrel races at age 4 and has never looked back.  Her next step was to join the Chino Valley Breakaway Latigos 4H club, then the Queen Creek Junior Rodeo Assoc and the Marana Junior Rodeo Association.  Rocky continued to find success both in the rodeo arena as well as the show ring.  Rocky continued to compete at rodeo through the Arizona Junior Rodeo Assoc and Arizona Junior High Rodeo Association.  She qualified for ther first trip to the National Finals Rodeo in Ribbon Cutting during her 6th-grade year.  Two years later she would win her first saddle and state title with her Ribbon Roping partner and fellow scholarship recipient Logan Bates, a 2018 winner of the coveted "Western Heritage Keeper" Scholarship Award of the Prescott Western Heritage Foundation.  Together, they traveled to Iowa to compete at Nationals, where Rudy, once again, was the reserve champion goat-tier of the year.  She found success in the goat tying, at the National level, finishing in the top 20.  Rocky graduated from Chino Valley High School in 2018.  Throughout her high school career, she was a member of the Chino Valley High School FFA and Arizona High School Rodeo Association, winning countless buckles and several saddles.  In January, during her Senior year, Rocky suffered an almost career-ending knee injury, but that did not stop her.  Rocky is now attending Frank Phillips College in Borger, TX on a rodeo scholarship, pursuing a degree in Agricultural Data Management.  She competes in the Southwest Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. 
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Shayla Murdock
Shayla, a 5th generation Verde Valley cowgirl, has vigorously pursued her family's love of good horses.

Shayla started riding early, winning her first rodeo at age 8 when she was the Yavapai County Junior Rodeo All Around Champion for her age group.  Shayla continued winning numerous team ropings and rodeo championships.  In 2016 she was Arizona Junior Rodeo year-end Reserve Champion in goat tying, breakaway, calf roping and pole bending and was All Around Reserve Champion in the State.

During this same year, Shayla was also training in the sport of Muay Thai fighting, winning the 2016 North American title belt and was chosen to fight for the United States team in Bangkok, Thailand.  In the following years, Shayla has shared her talents, helping others with their riding skills and horsemanship while accumulating two years of college credit before grauating high school.  Shayla got one last roping in the weekend before she went to college, winning the All Girl Champion saddle and high money roper for the weeend at the 15th Annual Ted Meredith Memorial in Young, Arizona.

She is currently a freshman at Tarleton State Univeristy in Stephenville, Texas, seeking a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy in order to workin the the field of equine therapy.

2018

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Bill Otwell

2017

Western "Heritage Keeper" Awardees

Melissa Ruffner
For her work as a tour guide, an historical storyteller, an author of books on Prescott’s history, and much more. She has also served on numerous boards in the community, which preserve and promote our history and western heritage.

The Prescott Western Heritage Foundation is honored to recognize Melissa Ruffner for her numerous contributions to the preservation of Prescott and Yavapai County’s colorful history. 

​Melissa is a true Western “Heritage Keeper”.
Smoki Museum with Executive Director Cindy Gresser
For over 80 years, the Smoki Museum has been a popular and major landmark in our community. The staff and its volunteers are dedicated to instilling an understanding and respect for the indigenous cultures of the southwest. Today, with its historic buildings, galleries, and archives, the museum has earned iconic status throughout Arizona and the United States.

The Prescott Western Heritage Foundation, Inc. is pleased to recognize the Smoki Museum, its staff and volunteers, as a significant and deserving Western “Heritage Keeper.

Western "Heritage Keeper" Scholarship Awardees

Sponsored by
​Dr. Ted & Margarita Wickstrom

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J.C. Mortensen for his passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through his very successful participation in rodeo competition. We also applaud J.C.’s enthusiasm in helping more people learn about the sport of rodeo.

 Sponsored by
​OneAZ
​Credit Union

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Kiva Keith for ​her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through her performance of western and other music genres at local venues where she plays fiddle, cello, and is a lead singer. We also applaud Kiva’s scholastic achievements as well as her accomplishments in regional music competition.

2016

Western "Heritage Keeper" Awardees

​Bruce Fee
For his contributions to the preservation of Yavapai County history, and more specifically, his life-long love of western art, his work as a Prescott Art Docent, as Sheriff of the Prescott Corral of Westerners, and as Chief of the Smoki. Bruce continues to be a passionate artist, historian, and a true Western “Heritage Keeper”.
“For over 88 years, the Sharlot Hall Museum has been a popular, major landmark and focal point of our community.  Today, with its unique mix of historic buildings, galleries, research center, living history village, theater presentations and archives, the museum has earned iconic status throughout Arizona and the United States.  

The Prescott Western Heritage Foundation, Inc., is pleased to recognize the Sharlot Hall Museum, its staff and volunteers, as a significant and deserving Western “Heritage Keeper.”

Western "Heritage Keeper" Scholarship Awardees

Prescott Western Heritage Foundation is grateful for these scholarship sponsors.
Harold James Family Trust
​Laramie Mahan for her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through her very successful participation in rodeo competition. We also applaud Laramie’s scholastic achievements and her enthusiasm in helping more people learn about the sport of rodeo.
Glory Glidden for her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through her performance of western music at local venues where she plays fiddle and sings harmony. We also applaud Glory’s scholastic achievements as well as her accomplishments in regional music competition.
Please click on any photo to view full size.
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2015
The 3rd annual Western Heritage Foundation Recognition Dinner and Concert was held in the Plaza View Ballroom.

Western "Heritage Keeper" Awardees

Western "Heritage Keeper" Scholarship Awardee

Johan "Bix" Glidden is recognized for his passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through his studies and performance of western music with guitar & fiddle, as well as his accomplishments in regional music competitions.
Danya Weir is recognized for her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through her studies and in her very successful participation in rodeo competition. We also applaud Danya’s scholastic achievements and her enthusiasm in helping more people learn about the sport of rodeo.

2014
The second annual Western Heritage Recognition Dinner and Concert was another sold out affair at the Hotel St. Michael Ballroom.  
​The 2014 "Heritage Keeper" Honorees are:
  ★ Prescott Frontier Days World's Oldest Rodeo®​ ~ the organization and all of the volunteers who have kept this great tradition alive for over 127 years... website
  ★ Elisabeth Ruffner ~ spirit of volunteerism and advocacy for historic preservation
  ★ Bill Nebeker ~ lifelong contribution to western art through his bronze sculptures... website
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Prescott Frontier Days® World's Oldest Rodeo® Committee with Dennis Gallagher
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Elizabeth Ruffner receives the Western Heritage Keeper Award
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Sally Bates, Dennis Gallagher, Bill and Merry Nebeker

2013
The Prescott Western Heritage Foundation's Inaugural Western Heritage Recognition Dinner and Concert was sold out due to the support of western business owners, ranchers, western artists, the rodeo, and many other organizations that help preserve and promote our western heritage. This invitation only event was held in the Hotel St. Michael's Ballroom on Historic Whiskey Row.
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Jim Buchanan, Vice President of the Prescott Western Heritage Foundation recognizing Gail Steiger
Those recognized this year include Gail Steiger, for entertaining and educating the public, locally and internationally, about cowboy and ranch life in the American West. Nancy Burgess, was recognized for the preservation of Prescott's historic buildings and our western heritage through her research, writing, and publications. The Yavapai Cowbelles were recognized for the organization's preservation of ranch life, and for their student scholarship program funded by their Quilt raffle ticket sales each year. Those recognized have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to the preservation of our history.
 
Entertainment included Gail Steiger, past recipient of the Gail Gardner award, and Mike Dunn, past recipient of the Gail Gardner and Will Rogers awards. Belinda Gail, the Western Music Association's Female Performer of the Year in 2012 was the headliner for the evening. ​
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Another highlight of the evening was the unveiling of local western artist Steve Atkinson's painting of Tom Mix driving through the Granite Dells in his '37 Cord Phaeton Convertible. Bob White, of Cave Creek, Arizona purchased the painting of the beautifully restored automobile. The car and it's history was a big hit when displayed in Prescott in mid-September. Proceeds from the signed "art poster" go to the Prescott Western Heritage Foundation.