Logo for the Be Cowboy Scholarship in memory of Fon McConnell, featuring a stylized cross with a circle in the center, written in purple text.

WSF is proud to present the Fon McConnell Be Cowboy Scholarship, a $100,000 endowment created in memory of Fon McConnell. This scholarship annually awards up to ten $2,000 scholarships to current or retired Western sports athletes who demonstrate dedication to the Western way of life, cowboy values, and academic excellence.

Fall 2025 applications are now closed. Spring 2026 applications will open in late 2025. Scroll to meet the Fall 2025 recipients or click here to read about previous recipients!

Fall 2025 Recipients

Kenna Stratton

Kenna Stratton is a 19 year old sophomore at Casper College pursuing a degree in nursing while competing on the college rodeo team competing in the goat tying and breakaway.

Originally from Lakeview, Oregon, she graduated from Silvies River Charter School, where she excelled in academics and athletics, including rodeo, volleyball, and basketball. Her current goals include qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in breakaway roping, mastering her nursing studies, and improving her skills in goat tying.

Long-term, Kenna plans to become a nurse practitioner, with the goal of making a meaningful impact by helping people address the root causes of their health issues.

kiera mavity

Kiera is a freshman at Black Hills State University, pursuing a double major in biology and chemistry with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.

She comes from a ranching family and competes on the BHSU rodeo team in goat tying and barrel racing. Through the university's work study program, she helps care for the rodeo team’s goats. Kiera has always maintained a strong work ethic, earning membership in the National Honor Society and consistently achieving a high GPA. She is active in teaching AWANA church school to children and mentors younger girls in the sport of goat tying.

As a Native American student, Kiera values the support and connection offered through the Center for Indian Studies on campus. She is a firm believer in God, in actions speaking louder than words, and in treating others the way she would want to be treated.

Sage Gaillard

Sage is from Morse, Texas, and is currently attending WTAMU. She is also a member of the WT rodeo team and the WT rodeo media team.

Rodeo has had a great influence on her life for many years. Her upbringing in agriculture and the western way of life taught her that what she is working towards may not always come easily, but the outcome will always be rewarding.

At the conclusion of her rodeo career, Sage hopes to be remembered as a person who left the arena with the same smile on her face whether it was a good run or bad run. Rodeo is a lot like life, no matter how things are going, it is important to be happy and proud of myself for something each day.

sage Wheatley

Sage is currently attending the University of Wyoming and is on the rodeo team.

The values of the western way of life and her faith are important to Sage. Rodeo is a sport that she has seen faith strive in the most, besides wrestling. Family feels like another western lifestyle value that never fades.

At the conclusion of her rodeo career, she wants to be known as an athlete that kept going, who was kind, and who was able to move past losses. Sage wants to be a good role model that portrays emotions well. She feels that younger generations need more mental coaching, confidence, and to be taught how to handle wins and losses, and she desires to be that type of role model for younger generations.

Tatum Roberts

Tatum, from Natchitoches, Louisiana, graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors from Magnolia Bend Academy and now attends East Texas A&M University (ETAMU) in Commerce, Texas, where he is majoring in AgriBusiness.

Tatum is a 3rd generation cowboy whose primary event is steer wrestling. He is a member of the rodeo team at ETAMU. While in high school Tatum competed in Texas High School Rodeo Association where he was a 4-time State Finals qualifier and the 2025 Reserve State Champion Steer Wrestler. This earned Tatum a spot on the National Team from Texas. At the 2025 National High School Finals Rodeo, he qualified for the Short-Go (Top 20) and finished the year #11.

In addition to NHSRA, Tatum also competes in the Ote Berry Junior Steer Wrestling tour events and is a 3-time Junior National Finals qualifier. Additionally, he is a permit holder in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and has traveled extensively this summer, including Cheyenne, WY to help fill his permit.

Outside the arena, Tatum has been recognized for his academic achievements, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. He was named the 2025 THSRA Whataburger “What-A-Kid”, a Smarty Rodeo Collegiate Team member, Quanta Services High School Rodeo Team member, and International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) Youth Director.  

Tatum states, “No matter where this journey takes me, I will continue to live by the values that rodeo and the western way of life have instilled in me – faith, integrity, resilience, and a commitment to serving others. With this foundation, I am ready to face the future and make a meaningful impact”.

About the scholarship

    • Applicant must be a current or recently retired Western sports athlete

    • Applicant shall have no relationship with any member of the Scholarship Selection Committee

    • All required materials must be submitted via email to both ECersosimo@wsf.org and AOQuin@westernsportsfoundation.org

    • Completed Application Form (including Essay)

    • Official transcript of grades from high school or college/trade school

    • Copy of active Pro Card (eg:  NHSRA, NIRA, PBR, PRCA, etc.) OR letter from current coach

    • Successful Applicant(s) will be asked to send a short paragraph and/or video describing effect of scholarship

  • High School Graduate/Continuing Educational Pursuit

    • Plans include attending Community College, University, Trade School

    • NOT participating in pro/amateur rodeos

    • Eligible:  Two Semesters

    High School Graduate/Continuing Educational Pursuit

    • Plans include attending Community College, University, Trade School

    • Currently participating in pro/amateur rodeos

    • Eligible:  Two Semesters

    High School Graduate/College Student

    • Currently enrolled in Community College or University

    • Member of College/University Rodeo Team

    • Eligible: Four Semesters

    Retired Rodeo Athlete

    • Must provide copy of last Pro Card

    • Eligible:  Two Semesters

    • Completed WSF Scholarship Application

    • GPA Minimum:  3.0

    • Essay:  2–3 Paragraphs (250–500 words)

    • Letter of Recommendation: Two

    • Scholarship Award(s) will be sent directly to the Recipient's school of enrollment in the Recipient's name and include Recipient's Student Identification Number (to ensure proper posting by School)

    • Scholarship Funds are to be used for Tuition, On-Campus Housing (Room + Board, including Meal Plans), and Books

    • Scholarship Funds are to be used for current semester only (not for previous or future semesters)

    • If Scholarship Recipient has personally paid Tuition, On-Campus Housing (Room + Board, including Meal Plans) and/or Books within 60 days of Application Approval, funds may be payable/reimbursed to the Recipient from the awarded scholarship funds (with proper documentation and receipts)