Andy Huff Memorial Scholarship

I dream about getting my college degree while on the back of a horse, farming in the tractor, and doctoring cattle. I am a first-generation college student, and I can't think of a better way to make my family proud and to strengthen my family's business than to walk across that graduation stage. My goal is to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Farm and Ranch Operations at the University of Montana Western. I have worked for my family ranch, Ellis-Barnes Livestock, my whole life, nearly full time during my high school years. I have a passion livestock care and know that I want to focus my education on furthering the success of our ranch, just as my grandfather and family before him have done. They are my inspiration, and I am grateful for their intentional decisions to preserve our way of life. After college, my goal is to become the owner and Ranch Manager at Ellis-Barnes Livestock. By receiving my degree and learning new information I will be able to improve our ranch's livestock and operations as well as our finances and income. I find great value in keeping our rural agricultural lifestyle sustainable, and my education will be a necessary step to enriching our ranch. As I entered high school, the whole country was shut down from COVID-19, and it was very uncertain times for everyone. The daily operations of our ranch had to continue unchanged, yet we faced new challenges of product shortages, rising costs, and market fluctuations. It was during this time that my family made the decision to continue to my high school education through an outreach program to be able help our ranch operate. This was an uneasy change in the beginning, but looking back it was a pivotal change in a positive way for my future career. I missed out on some high school opportunities and had to "grow up" sooner than my peers, but I was able to gain responsibility, knowledge, and experience that will serve me well in college and in my future career. I feel very fortunate to have grown up in a small, rural eastern Washington town. My lifestyle and passions align fully with the agricultural nature of our town, and I have learned that I want the same rural setting for my future. Living in a town without a stoplight limits the number of options that an urban lifestyle brings but allows for a multitude of other opportunities that aren't replicable outside of a rural community. My teachers are my neighbors, I see my coaches at our gas pumps, and there is a strong sense of community. When someone needs help, they are helped. When someone warrants celebration, we celebrate. I have been on the receiving and the giving end within my community and both sides bring a sense of belonging and gratefulness. I strive to be the best member and athlete for our Washington State High School Rodeo team, the best team captain on our basketball team, and a good community citizen. I have made intentional decisions to mentor the younger generation at junior rodeos, at basketball camps, and within the Okanogan County Fair Beef Barn. I look forward to bringing back my college degree, the first in my family, to Okanogan County to promote and protect our agricultural way of life and I look forward to mentoring the younger generation to do the same. College will be a significant financial burden for me, but I am determined to work hard, and I appreciate the opportunity to apply for your scholarship.