Oklahoma CattleWomen Distributed Scholarships and Recognized Beef Advocacy Contest Winners

Oklahoma CattleWomen, Inc. Distributes Annual Scholarships





The Oklahoma CattleWomen, Inc. distributed its 2022 scholarships at the Oklahoma Cattle Convention, July 22 and 23 in Norman, Okla. The inaugural Nancy Buckminster Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Riley Luginbill of Orlando, Okla. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a full-time college student who is an active and productive member of the Oklahoma Collegiate CattleWomen (OCCW). This scholarship was created in honor of Oklahoma CattleWomen member and friend, Nancy Buckminster and her dedication to the beef community and to OCW, who passed away in late 2021. Luginbill is studying agricultural education at Oklahoma State University (OSU), where she will also serve as treasurer this year for the OCCW. This organization is for young women at Oklahoma State University who share an interest in supporting and promoting the beef industry.





The J.B. and Betty Smith Scholarship is awarded annually to two high school seniors, one male and one female. The Smith family established this scholarship in memory of J.B. and Betty Smith who were Pawhuska-area ranchers. Betty served as an active OCW member and past president from 1957-1958. This year’s award recipients were Landry Freeman of Marlow, Okla., and Sophie Varner from Bristow, Okla. Freeman will attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University to pursue biomedical science this fall. Varner plans to attend OSU this fall studying agricultural communications and agribusiness. Each student receives a $1,000 scholarship.





Finally, the Oklahoma CattleWomen Scholarship is given to a full-time college student who is seeking a degree in an agriculture or an agricultural-related field of study. This scholarship was awarded to Charlcie Gatewood of Welch, Okla. This is a $1,500 scholarship. Gatewood is currently attending OSU studying biochemistry and molecular biology.





Recipient’s families were invited to celebrate with honorees during the OCW Awards Luncheon as part of the Oklahoma Cattlemen and Oklahoma CattleWomen Convention last month. The luncheon was sponsored by Oklahoma Farm Bureau and is an annual event. OCW Scholarships are due in May each year. More information on these scholarships can be found at www.okcattlewomen.org.







Oklahoma CattleWomen, Inc. Recognize Beef Advocacy Contest Winners   



The Oklahoma CattleWomen, Inc. recognized the winners of the 2022 Oklahoma Beef Advocacy Contest during the Oklahoma Cattle Convention, July 22 and 23 in Norman, Okla. The contest, that took place in April, is a statewide competition put on by the OCW and is open to Oklahoma youth grades 5th – 12th who compete in two age divisions.



The results of the 2022 Oklahoma Beef Advocate Contest, in the senior division are, first place, Morley Griffith of Shawnee; second place, Bridger Arrington of Mulhall, and third place, Blake Janssen of Amber. In the junior division, first place was Jade McPeak of Checotah; second place was Kade Henrichs of Okarche and third place was Kaitlin Adams of Amber.



Griffith and McPeak were invited to the OCW Award Luncheon as part of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Oklahoma CattleWomen, Inc. Convention to receive their jackets and be formally recognized.



The Oklahoma Beef Advocacy Contest is held each spring and open to all Oklahoma students grades 5th – 12th. There are two areas of competition, a mock interview and a peer conversation, judged by industry representatives. The competition strives to grow young agricultural advocates. It is funded by Oklahoma Beef Check-off dollars and contestants compete for cash prizes. This year, the competition saw record attendance. To find out more or learn about the 2023 contest, visit www.okcattlewomen.org.