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Updated: May 2, 2024 @ 2:57 am
Scholarship winner Chase Royal Blue is an 8th grader at Browning Middle School. He’s an honor roll student who wrestles junior and high school for Browning.
Scholarship winner Chase Royal Blue is an 8th grader at Browning Middle School. He’s an honor roll student who wrestles junior and high school for Browning.
This year, Hell’s Half Acre Rodeo is aimed at Mothers Day 2024, promising prizes and action for one and all. As noted last week, the event encompasses three days which include a Youth Rodeo in honor of Payton Lane Weatherwax, a Two Medicine Cowboy who made his journey home in 2022.
One aspect not mentioned is the scholarships rodeo organizers are giving to many young contestants who will compete on May 11.
“It really started with the Memorial Youth Rodeo,” said Lynn Mad Plume. “We knew we wanted to do it for Payton and the Weatherwax family. They live in Two Medicine and have always been close to the Mad Plume family. Payton really was a light for so many of us.
“Last year we tried to get mini bulls for our youth event with no luck,” she continued. “This year we reached out both locally and nationally. The person to answer our call was Mike Chaffin from AK Bucking Bulls, all the way from California. He said yes, let’s make it happen. He’s bringing his mini bucking stock, bullfighters (to mentor Ronald Hall, which is part of our legacy leaders within our nonprofit), judges and back-pen help. Additionally, Mike advocated for our event to be a Direct Qualifier for the International Miniature Bullriders Association. He also worked to secure one of our riders a spot at the Youth Wrangler Bullriding Finals in Las Vegas.”
Making it free for young rodeo stars was a central theme for Lynn and her family.
“When we had this dream, we wanted it to be free and accessible to all of our youth,” she said. “We had to problem solve. We knew we didn’t want our kids to pay. We decided to do the scholarships so this would be free to everyone, not just our youth. We opened up the scholarship to encourage local youth to enter, even if they don’t have much experience. We accepted every application that was submitted. Our philosophy has been that we can find the money, and we want this opportunity for our youth. We took a leap of faith, but each day someone comes along who sees our dream. That’s how we’ve been able to do the scholarships, by grant writing throughout the year and fundraising. The scholarships fall under our nonprofit work and are part of our ancestral legacy initiative.”
Each scholarship goes toward supporting rodeo athletes wherever they are in their life’s journey.
“They get $260 towards IMBA events for fees and membership,” Lynn explained. “Then they become a part of our ancestral legacy initiative where we provide support for development activities defined by them. Essentially, we support them through their various activities, and they serve as role models.”
The list of those having received scholarships continues to grow as sponsors contribute and Mothers Day approaches on the calendar. It includes at least these folks: Gavin Mitchell Rose, Malik Rian Fish, Zoey Dean Aimsback, Kas Kole Whiteman, Jack “JD” Monroe, Chase Royal Blue, Kaysen Brown, Bre’zhon Paul Spang, Ira Stripped Squirrel Jr., Ila Stripped Squirrel, Cole Stanton Jr., Daniel McNeely Jr., Kristopher Momberg, Shylar Pashton Augare, Thunder Mad Plume, Steve After Buffalo, Roxie Blackman, Eden Laplant, Kroy Fitzpatrick, Kylan Fitzpatrick, Justyn Clayton Hall, Tyson Wagner, William Running Crane and Tyren Stewart.
Bre’zhon Paul Spang, in one instance, won a scholarship in the Novice Division of the IMBA. A member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe from Busby, he is a 16-year-old sophomore at Lame Deer High School who descends from Chief Spotted Wolf.
“A small town boy with big time dreams,” is how he describes himself.
Blackfeet cowgirl Zoey Dean Aimsback won a scholarship in the Junior Mini Division of the IMBA.
“My Blackfeet name is Gyee-Gan-Skee (Sings In The Air),” she writes. “I was born from Mos-Ga-Sip-A-Bee-Sta-Gee, which is Heart Butte.”
She’s a 6th grader who made the honor roll and competes in track, basketball, volleyball and cross country.
“I want to play college basketball and continue bull riding,” she said. “I fell in love with the sport and am excited to hit the rodeo trail.”
At 14 years old and a Blackfeet Tribal member, Daniel McNeely Jr. Daniel is a scholarship recipient in the Senior Mini Division of the IMBA.
“I was born in Browning and raised in East Glacier Park,” the 8th grader said. “I’m dedicated and focused on my goals to become a champion bull rider. I’m very determined to make my dream come true with as much hard work and effort as it takes to get there.”
In another example, the young person comes from across the country. Kaysen Brown of the Navajo Nation said, “I come from the Great Navajo Nation, Steamboat Arizona. I am being raised by both of my Grandparents, Bert and Charlotte Willard. I currently go to school at Ganado Intermediate School in Ganado, Arizona, and in the fourth grade.
I also have been riding for seven and half years now. My first event was wooly riding when I was two and half years old. Since then I grew into calf riding, and currently in the steer riding and mini bulls event.”
These are a few of the deserving young rodeo stars coming up through the ranks. Each has a story to tell, and Hell’s Half Acre is helping them continue their sagas into the future.
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