Scholarships

To be eligible for the Black Hills Roundup Scholarship, the candidate must be enrolled in a post-secondary institution of their choice and have been active in rodeo during their high school years. Applicant must participate in the South Dakota Northwest Region. 2 scholarships will be awarded, one each to a male & female participant.

Applications are due May 1, 2025. Please submit online or mail to PO Box 714, Belle Fourche, SD 57717. For questions email info@blackhillsroundup.com.

Online Application

Black Hills Roundup Rodeo Scholarship Application

Printable Application

Black Hills Roundup Rodeo Scholarship 2025

Scholarship Recipients

2025 Lydia Main

Parents: Jeff and Holly Main

School: Belle Fourche High School

Plans: I plan on attending Sheridan College to pursue a degree in nursing, finishing my bachelor's degree at the University of Wyoming. I plan to specialize in pediatric nursing and become a traveling nurse.

Activities: BFHS Rodeo Team, Girl’s Varsity Soccer Team, Rushmore Premiere Soccer Club, FFA, National Honor Society, Youth Leadership Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, Spanish Club, Teen Court, Best Buddies, Special Olympics, Purple Pride, Senior Center Sunday Church Volunteer, Valley View 4-H Club, 4-H Rodeo, Northern Hills Shooting Sports, BHR Ag Committee – Festival of Trees and Free BBQ, Christian Life Center Youth Group, and Redwater Youth Leadership Fund.

2024 Anika Main

Parents: Jeff and Holly Main

School: Belle Fourche High School

Plans: I plan to attend the SD School of Mines and Technology and pursue a degree in chemical engineering.

Activities: BFHS Rodeo Team, Girls Basketball, FFA, National Honor Society, Youth Leadership Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Christian Life Center Youth Group, Valley View 4H Club, Purple Pride, Redwater Youth Leadership Fund, BHR Ag Committee - Free BBQ and Festival of Trees.

2023 Jess Harper

Parents: Brian & Darci Harper

School: Faith High School

Plans: I will be attending Black Hills State University to study education and coaching. I want to teach middle school students and coach sports.

Activities: Student Council, National Honor Society, church and various community activities.

2021 Abby Fox

Parents: Kelly & Robert Fox

School: Harding County High School

Plans: I am planning to further my education at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming, this coming fall. I plan to major in nursing and hope to become a pediatric nurse. I will also be rodeoing for the Casper College rodeo team, participating in barrel racing, breakaway roping and team roping. I chose Casper College for its high-end nursing program. I am excited to begin my adult life and receive a degree that will allow me to help others and be close to the people I’m aiding.

Activities: State/National History Day, National Honor Society, English Excellence, Latin Excellence, Academic Olympics, Student Council, Youth Group, 2020 Volleyball Academic All-State, FFA, High School Rodeo, 4-H.

2025 Colby Olson

Parents: Toni Olson

School: Faith High School

Plans: I plan to attend Sheridan College and pursue an Associate's Degree in welding. I will also rodeo for Bobby Harris and the Sheridan College Rodeo Team..

Activities: I participated in football, basketball, and rodeo in high school. I have also been the Student Body President, the FFA Vice President, and the National Honor Society Treasurer for my school.

2024 Braden Routier

Parents: Riley and Jessica Routier

School: Harding County High School

Plans: I plan on attending Garden City Community College to earn a degree in business administration and compete in college rodeo. After two years in Garden City, I intend to transfer to a university to receive my Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance.

Activities: Football, High School Rodeo, Basketball, Student Council, Student Council President, FFA, National Honor Society, 4-H, Little Britches Rodeo Association, Constitution Committee, Chess Club, Latin Club, and Youth Group

2023 Jaysee Jones

Parents: Eric & Chasity Jones

School: Faith High School

Plans: I plan to pursue my bachelor's degree in English Secondary Education at Dickinson State University and become a high school English teacher. I will also be competing in breakaway roping and goat tying for the Dickinson Rodeo Team. After obtaining my degree, I would love to come back to South Dakota.

Activities: Varsity basketball, FHS Rodeo Club, National Honor Society, 4-H, FFA, Faith Fellowship & Feeding South Dakota.

2021 Laney Mackaben

Parents: Chad & Shawnie Mackaben

School: Belle Fourche High School

Plans: My plans are to study animal science and animal biomedical science at North Dakota State University in the field of veterinary pharmacology, developing holistic animal health practices, increasing efficiency and overall cooperation with soil, water and herd health. Eventually, I would like to consult and develop individualized herd and farm/ranch management plans for producers.

Activities: National Honor Society, 4-H, FFA, Belle Fourche High School Rodeo Club, St. Pauls Catholic Church, Senior Center volunteer, Purple Pride, teacher’s aide.

2020 Shantell Brewer

Shantell Brewer graduated from Dupree High School with 3.9 GPA where she was active in student council, FFA, 4-H, National Honor Society, cross country, basketball, rodeo and peer tutoring. She plans on attending Montana State University to major in accounting and minor in business management and continuing to rodeo.

2020 Karli Verhulst

Karli Verhulst graduated from Harding County High School with a 4.107 GPA where she was active in basketball, FFA, Latin Club, student council, Reva Ranchers 4-H Club, and the Rodeo Team. She plans to attend Black Hills State University to pursue a degree in per-veterinary medicine. Her goal is to come back to Buffalo, SD and open her own clinic.

2019 Payton Burtzlaff

Payton Burtzlaff graduated from Newell with a 3.52 GPA where he was active in football, basketball, cross-country, track, FFA, rodeo, National Honor Society, SADD & student council. Other activities include 4-H & being active in the Newell Evangelical Church. He plans to go to Mount Marty College in Yankton to study Medical Radiological Technology.

2019 Tayla Thorstenson

Tayla Thorstenson graduated from Dupree with a 3.8 GPA where she was active in basketball, volleyball, rodeo, FFA, National Honor Society, student council & choir. Other activities include 4-H & Just Breathe Suicide Prevention Campaign. She plans to go to the University of Wyoming in Laramie to study Kinesiology & become a Physical Therapist.