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.

Applications are currently closed. Fall 2025 applications will open in July. Stay tuned for more details!

SPring 2025 Recipients

Maryn Buchanan

Maryn will complete her Associates in Biology this semester and will continue on to a bachelor’s degree in pre-vet with an emphasis in genetics.  She comes from a long line of ranchers and rodeo competitors and currently rodeos independently for Pima Community College. She competes in Breakaway, Team Roping, Barrels, and Goat tying. 

McKinley May

McKinlee is from Bozeman, Montana and a sophomore at Colorado State University where she is pursuing her degree in Equine Science (BS) with a minor in Business Management. She competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying for the Rams.  After graduation McKinlee plans on opening her own Equine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Business, raising futurity horses and Pro-Rodeoing. McKinlee hopes to make an impact and be an encouragement through her character.

Emma Ohm

Emma is from a ranching family in the sandhills of Arthur, Nebraska. She enjoys breakaway roping, team roping, and goat tying for Black Hills State University, where she is majoring in Psychology. After graduating, Emma hopes to become an Elementary School Counselor. She takes pride in her work ethic and strives to always put her faith and trust in God. 

Travis Smith

Travis is a dedicated student at Cal Poly University, where he is double majoring in Agribusiness and Agricultural Systems Management. Beyond the classroom, Travis is an active member of the Cal Poly Rodeo Team, competing in team roping and calf roping, and serving as the team’s Vice President. His leadership and passion for the sport are evident both in the arena and in his role off the field, where he works to strengthen the team’s spirit and success. Additionally, Travis serves as the Regional Director for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), helping to promote and support western sports events across the region. Travis is incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement he has received from his rodeo coach, his friends, and his faith in God. He believes that these pillars of support have helped him seize the many opportunities in his life, and he continues to work hard with a heart full of thanks and determination.

Kenna Stratton

Kenna is a freshman at Casper College, where she is pursuing a nursing degree while also competing as on the college rodeo team. Originally from Lakeview, Oregon, Kenna graduated from Silvies River Charter School, where she excelled not only in academics but also in various sports, including rodeo, volleyball, and basketball. Kenna’s current goals include qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in breakaway roping, mastering the concepts of nursing school, and continuing to improve her skills in goat tying. Long-term, she aspires to become a nurse practitioner, with the ultimate aim of making a lasting impact on people's lives by identifying and addressing the root causes of their health issues.

Fall 2024 Recipients

Canyon Tyler Treviño

Canyon is a bull rider from Boaz, Alabama. He is currently attending the University of West Alabama where he is studying Psychology. Canyon strives not only to succeed as a bull rider but also to be known for his kindness and compassion to those around him. He values the community aspect of rodeo life, where athletes celebrate each other's victories and offer help during defeat. Rodeo has taught him that working together can benefit him not only in the arena but in life.

Courtney Schum

Courtney is a junior pre-optometry major at Murray State University in Kentucky and a member of the MSU rodeo team. She competes in the barrels and breakaway as well as a specialty act performer who showcases trick riding and roman riding. After graduating from MSU, she plans to attend graduate school to earn an O.D.

Emily Rafftery

Emily is from Stanchfield, Minnesota, and is currently attending Odessa College with hopes to become a registered nurse. She has four horses at college and enjoys breakaway roping, team roping, and riding barrels. Emily believes that success in the rodeo arena comes from hard work and dedication. She prides herself on being respectful, kind, and hard working.

Preston Eleck Stone

Preston Eleck Stone from Capitan, New Mexico, is a freshman majoring in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business and minoring in Range Science at New Mexico State University (NMSU).  He is a member of the NMSU Rodeo team, participating in steer wrestling, and represents the team as a representative to the ACES Council. Stone hopes to take the skills he learns in college and return to the ranch to continue ranching as the 6th generation north of Capitan. 

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)