2009 Scholarship Recipients

The 2009 Ag Scholarship program brought out another outstanding group of recipients with grounded plans for their future. Once again it was a difficult choice for the scholarship committee who interviewed 11 applicants. For the past four years the Cowboy Museum has awarded four $1000 scholarships to graduating seniors in Stanislaus County. One of those scholarships is awarded to a graduating senior whose family is a member of the Cowboy Museum. As our membership continues to grow, this year we had applicants from Tuolumne and San Joaquin Counties. We’d like our membership to meet the 2009 Cowboy Museum Recipients.
Kendra Brennan, whose family is a member of the Cowboy Museum graduated from Sonora High. Kendra has been actively involved in 4-H, FFA & High School Rodeo. Kendra is the 5th generation to grow up on the family’s working cattle ranch. Kendra is headed to West Hills College in Coalinga where she plans to receive a degree in range management. She then plans to continue her education by attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she plans to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Range Management and a minor in Political Science. After that it’s back home to the family ranch where she will pursue a law degree from McGeorge school of Law and advocate for property rights on both public and private property.
Brandon Guzman is graduating from Hughson High School where he was Senior Class President as well as FFA Chapter President. Brandon credits his grandfather Manuel Guzman who influenced his agricultural studies. A model student, dedicated leader and a mature responsible individual is what one of his teachers said about him. Brandon has been accepted at Cal Poly Pomona where he will major in Animal Science. After Cal Poly he hopes to attend UC Davis Veterinary School where he plans to become a large animal vet.
Jacob Horton-Harvey an Oakdale High graduate was raised in a ranching family and has a great appreciation for the western way of life. Jake served as the District 5 High School Rodeo President and also as High School Rodeo State representative. Academically, Jake was in advanced placement classes and finished in the top 4% of his class. He set high standards for himself and serves as an excellent role model in all areas of his life. Jake will head South to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he has been accepted into the Civil Engineering Program.
Amanda Moore another Oakdale High graduate dreamed of showing livestock. However, growing up in town the backyard served as her only pasture so she started small - with raising rabbits! She eventually moved on to goats which were housed at a friends house before her family moved out to the country, which she says is the best decision they ever made! In the past two years she has won advanced Beef Showmanship at the Stanislaus County Fair and moved on to Master Showmanship. She also won the California State Premier Angus Herdsman at the CA State Fair. Amanda served as FFA Chapter President and is an inspiration to others. Her goal is to attend Cal State Fresno, where she would like to major in Biological Sciences.
Through donations and T-shirt sales, the Cowboy Museum is proud to honor the memory of the late Eric Medlen through two scholarships this year. Eric had a passion for horsepower. As a student at Oakdale High he excelled on the High School Rodeo Team and later as a driver in an NHRA Funny Car, on the John Force Racing Team. Eric was killed during a testing accident in Gainesville, FL in 2007. The recipient of the 2009 Eric Medlen Memorial Ag Scholarship Award goes to Ryan Lang. Dependable, loyal, hardworking and self confident are a few traits that describe Ryan. He’s served as a leader in 4-H and FFA and says his greatest honor was becoming an Eagle Scout. Ryan’s plans are to attend MJC then transfer to Chico majoring in Ag Business and Economics.
Scott Steeley, an Oakdale High graduate will be receiving the Eric Medlen Automotive Scholarship. Scott’s dad told him about Eric Medlen working for the John Force Racing Team and they would watch him on TV. “I thought it was pretty cool, that Eric came from Oakdale, and I enjoyed watching how quickly those mechanics had to put together an engine.” Scott enrolled in auto mechanics as a freshman and found that he really enjoyed the technology and getting his hands dirty! Receiving an Associates degree from Modesto Jr. College is the goal Scott has set for now.