EDUCATE ★ CELEBRATE ★ PRESERVE ★ PROMOTE
The mission of the Prescott Western Heritage Foundation, Inc.  is to preserve and promote the Prescott area’s western heritage through education, art, music, events and projects that enhance its western lifestyle, making Prescott and Yavapai County unique and desirable places to live and visit.​

Past Western "Heritage Keeper" Scholarship Recipients

YOU could be NEXT!

Scholarship Information

​Application must be POSTMARKED or SUBMITTED ONLINE BY September 1, 2023.
​​The Prescott Western Heritage Foundation, Inc., is proud to announce the availability of two student scholarships. This scholarship aid is intended for deserving students who are residents of Yavapai County who have a passion for preserving our western heritage, whether through western art, music, crafts, rodeo, FFA, etc.  Students submitting applications for their artwork, literature, or craft, must provide a portfolio with at least four examples of their work. Other applicants must be able to perform music, poetry, show a video/film to the committee, or lastly, provide a list of accomplishments pertaining to rodeo participation.

​The scholarship recipients will be notified by September 1, then recognized at our 10th Annual Western Heritage Banquet on Saturday, November 4, 2023. 
To qualify for the Western Heritage Foundation scholarships, student applicants must meet the following:
1.) Student applicant must be a resident of Yavapai County, age 16 to 21
2.) Student applicant must qualify under one of the following conditions:
    2.1  Student has made significant accomplishments in rodeo, FFA, or related activity 
    2.2  Student is currently studying, writing, and/or has performed western music at school or at other local venues  
    2.3  Student is currently studying, creating, and/or has exhibited western art (painting, sculpture) or craft work (leather tooling, etc.)
    2.4  Student is studying literature and has written western short stories, cowboy poetry, etc.
    2.5  Student is studying or has completed video/film work which may be historical, western documentary, or story telling in nature 
3.) Two dated current letters of recommendation are required from teachers or adult persons other than relatives
4.) Application form must be completed by student applicant, typed/printed neatly in ink.
5.) A brief statement outlining your goal as an artist, musician, rodeo participant, etc., including how you wish to further your goal using this financial aid.
6.) The scholarship shall be used for college, for specific workshops, classes, supplies, etc., as agreed upon by the Foundation, student applicant, and parents/guardian. 
 7.) Proof of completion of classes & workshops must be mailed to the Foundation within one month from the last day of the workshop or class.
8.) A 2-4 minute video must be provided by the applicant showing the student’s accomplishments, activities, etc. (our Scholarship Committee will assist if requested).

Sincerely, 
Prescott Western Heritage Foundation’s Scholarship Committee
​P.O. Box 773 
Prescott, AZ  86302
VisitWHC.org

​WHO IS CONSIDERED A “WESTERN HERITAGE KEEPER?”

Any individual youth who has demonstrated exceptional aptitude and interest in preservation and promotion of Yavapai County’s Western heritage through education, art, music, events, and projects that are intended to enhance the local Western lifestyle – the values that have made Prescott and Yavapai County unique and desirable places to live and visit.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

2022

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Taylor Lewis-Moore
...for her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through her participation in several rodeo associations, Future Farmers of America, and is a proud member of the Yavapai Apache Nation tribe. She is a National Society High School Scholar recipient 2019-2022. She currently attends Northern Arizona University.
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Tierra Shae-McCorkell
…for her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through her experience on the Diamond A Ranch. With those skills, she trained horses for a variety of aspects of rodeo and ranch work. She completed high school with academic honors and is currently attending Central Arizona College furthering her equine and rodeo specialties.
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Kadence Dorman
…for her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through very successful participation in rodeo and cutting horse shows. She has won championship saddles in roping, pole bending, and in all-around competition. Kadence will pursue equine studies at college and hopes to manage and train horses on a large ranch.
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Ketch Kelton
…for his passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through his very successful rodeo participation. At 16 years of age, Ketch was the 2022 National High School Finals Rodeo All-Around Cowboy. He is an exceptional cowboy interested in preserving ranching traditions and he is an accomplished student.

2021

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Kiana Clausen
Currently attending Chino Valley High School, with strong academic achievement, Kiana remains active with the Future Farmers’ of America program. Following high school graduation, she plans to attend college, eventually becoming a large animal veterinarian. In addition to 4-H projects, Kiana participates in gymkhana events, working with the famous Horses with Heart program, Gunsite Academy events and livestock shows, hoping to win numerous awards at those shows.

​Kiana has a strong interest in our local area history, and will work to keep our western heritage alive in Prescott and Yavapai County. Kiana plans to use her Western “Heritage Keeper” Scholarship funds to pursue a degree in veterinary sciences and agriculture.

2020

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Arley Tucker
. . . for her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through her successful participation in high school rodeo competition, FFA, 4-H, and community involvement. We applaud Arley’s business accomplishments, especially the opening of her Cowboy Gal Trading Company.
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Rudy Shea Rodriguez
. . . for her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through her successful participation in high school rodeo competition and community involvement. We applaud Rudy’s ambitious plans for college and securing a position in agriculture communication, utilizing her love of rodeo and livestock.

2019

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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

​Logan Arnold Bates

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In recognition ​for his passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our western heritage through his very successful participation in rodeo competition. We also applaud Logan’s accomplishments in FFA and welding, and his pursuit of degrees in ranch management and fire science.

​Kendyll Mae Tucker

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In recognition ​for her passion, dedication, and talent to help preserve our  western heritage through her successful participation in rodeo and FFA. We also applaud Kendyll’s accomplishments in western art and cowboy poetry and her interest in equine science and agriculture.

2017

J.C. Mortensen

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In recognition of 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.

Kiva Keith

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​In recognition of ​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

​Laramie Mahan

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​​In recognition of 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

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In recognition of 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.

2015

​Johan "Bix" Glidden

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​In recognition of 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.

​Johan “Bix” Glidden has been passionate about music since he started playing fiddle/violin at the age of five. Bix was originally classically trained, so he came to fiddle music with a great deal of knowledge that helped him better understand the music. He plays western music every chance he gets. Currently, he plays lead guitar and sings in the country/western/folk band Generation. One of his favorite songs to sing is Ghost Riders in the Sky. Bix says that it feels great carrying on the tradition of singing great western songs like that, combining them with his own unique style. In addition, Bix loves film, reading, acting, writing songs and short stories. 

Below is a partial list of Bix’s accomplishments:
★ Grand Champion, Bob Wills Annual Fiddle Contest, Turkey, Texas (2013)    
★ Twin Fiddle Champion, Bob Wills Annual Fiddle Contest (2012-14-15)
★ Grand Champion, Worthen Memorial Old Time Fiddle Contest, Yuma, AZ (2011)
★ Youth Entertainer of the Year, Rick Felix Memorial, Festival of the West, Scottsdale, AZ (2010)
★ Entertainer, Prescott Opry, solo performer, performances with multiple groups, ie, Prescott Playboys, Brush Arbor Revival, Timothy & Bix, Glory & Bix (2012 - 2015)

Bix also serves the community through his dad’s Granite Creek Hunger Ministry, by entertaining and being a friend to those in need. 

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Danya Weir

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In recognition 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.

​Danya graduated from Camp Verde High School in May of 2015 in the top 5% of her class. Danya gives lessons to younger kids teaching them how to breakaway rope, team rope, barrel race and Pole Bend. Danya’s parents are Bob & Daria Weir from Camp Verde, Arizona who also participate in Rodeo. Bob is a rodeo clown and rodeo announcer. Daria breakaway ropes and runs barrels and secretaries Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association rodeos. Danya is currently a Freshman at University of Nevada, Las Vegas and majoring in Physical Therapy. She would one day like to work for the Justin Sports Medicine program for the Professional Rodeo Association. Danya is proud of her western heritage and plans to continue helping people learn about the sport of rodeo.

Below is a partial list of Danya’s accomplishments:
★ Student Body President of Camp Verde H. S. – class of  2014-2015
★ Honor Roll (2013-2015)
★ Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association member from 2008 to present
★ Wendy’s High School Heisman Award winner in 2014
★ National High School Athlete of the Month in December 2014
★ American Citizenship Award in May, 2015
★ Arizona High School Rodeo Association State Champion Breakaway 
★ Roper and National Qualifier in 2014 & 2015.

Danya is currently on the UNLV Rodeo Team and participates in Breakaway Roping and Team Roping. 
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