meet this years ACSO recipients
 


logo by Joe Beeler, CA

....................................................................................

2004-2005 recipients
Jillian Aja
Quincy Babers
Robert (Jake) Becker
Austin Billingslea
Dustin Caniglia
Jonathan "Casey" Caniglia

Christopher Flake
Kayla Flake
Vicki Flake
Holly Halford
Josie Halford
Jake Michael Hughes
Wesley Carl Kimble
Andy Krentz
Frank Krentz
Michaela Lutch
Kaci Malouff
Steven "Chance" Smith
Joel Valenzuela
Roberto Valenzuela
Kelli Walker





|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Please note: BECAUSE WE NO LONGER HOLD THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISERS, WE CANNOT PROVIDE PICTURES OF THE RECIPIENTS. THEREFORE, recipients for THE 2005-2006 SCHOOL years AND BEYOND are available, by name only, by clicking on the link(s) below:
2005-2006 recipients
2006-2007 recipients
2007-2008 RECIPIENTS
2008-2009 RECIPIENTS

ACSO Scholarhip Recipients

February 2, 2004 the ACSO Board of Directors held their annual meeting to review the scholarship applications for the 2004-2005 school years. Twenty two young people of Arizona ranching families received approval to receive scholarship awards. In the history of ACSO, the Board has never had to turn a qualified applicant away, and they are proud to announce this year is no exception; the record is still intact! The caring and generous artists, organizations, and individuals who have supported ACSO throughout the years are responsible for that, and should be very proud. The success of this organization is a collective effort - everyone doing their part makes it work. THANK YOU!

Each year as scholarship applications are received, I am struck once again by the accomplishments these remarkable young people have already achieved in their young lives, and by the goals they have set for themselves. They are amazing, and renew my faith in future generations. Read on to meet and learn about each of the recipients for the 2004-2005 school years and see if you don't agree!

....................................................................

   
JILLIAN AJA back to the list
Jillian is in her third year at UofA but considered a senior; she has succeeded academically, and plans to graduate May 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies & Human Development; as well as a pre-counseling minor in agriculture technology management and education. She is an intern at a non-profit organization, One-On-One Partners (very similar to Big Brothers, Big Sisters); where all the kids are at-risk. She tutors at Amphitheater High School twice a week and last year was inducted into two honorary fraternaties, Alpha Zeta and Alpha Sigma.

....................................................................
 
QUINCY BABERS back to the list
Quincy plans to become a nurse, attending Northland Pioneer College for her Associates; and then plans to transfer to Western New Mexico University to earn her Bachelors. She was on the honor roll every year of high school, achieved a 3.5 GPA, and served as the Executive Chairman of Community Involvement in FFA. Her mother's side of the family have been in ranching in Greenlee County for over 100 years.

....................................................................
 
   
Robert (Jake) BeckeR back to the list
Jake is a third year recipient attending Piedmont Baptist College, Division of Missionary Aviation. Upon completion of the B.S. of Science in Missionary Aviation degree program, he will have a double major in aviation and Bible, a minor in missions, gained a private pilot and a commercial license with an instrument rating, and will have accumulated approximately 320-340 hours of flight time. He will also obtain Airframe and Power plant licenses in this 5-year program and plans to become a missionary pilot. This five-year major is known to be a VERY difficult one to complete; in fact, only about 1 in 10 students who start this Missionary Aviation course actually finish. Jake is determined he will be one of the ones to finish, and we believe he will. He isn't exactly sure where he'll go with all this, but he knows he will never be able to leave the agricultural lifestyle. He grew up starting colts and working cows and that will always be a part of his life.

....................................................................
 

Austin Billingslea back to the list
Austin graduated from ASU with a Bachelor's degree in Accountancy. ASU has the 19th ranked accounting program in the nation; and Austin was on the Dean's list every semester, had a 4.0 GPA in his major accounting classes, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He recently won PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PwC) Tax Competition; which was a two-part accomplishment; first, because it was a highly competitive competition, and secondly, because it is the same company with whom he interns. Austin is now working toward his Certified Public Accountant's (CPA) certification. Not only is Austin an impressive young man academically, but he is also very impressive on a personal level.
....................................................................

 
 
DUSTIN CANIGLIA back to the list
Dustin attends University of Arizona, where he majors in Political Science. His classes have been mostly general education courses mixed with as many Latin American studies classes as he can fit into his schedule. His goal is to one day work in developing nations, helping impoverished people and communities. Prior to that, he plans to perhaps spend some time working with humanitarian groups, such as the Peace Corps, before seeking a career in an American Embassy in a foreign country. Dustin saved almost all the money he made working to help pay for his college education.
....................................................................
 
JONATHAN "CASEY" CANIGLIA back to the list
After the completion of his first semester at the U of A, Casey completed 16 credit hours with a GPA of 3.813, making the Dean's list. He has yet to decide on a major, but feels whatever he chooses wil better able him to influence the future of the agricultural community, specifically ranching. He believes that given the opportunity to earn a college education will allow him to give back to society and lead a better life; and also believes that whatever field of study he pursues, that he will be able to utilize his knowledge in a way that he may benefit the ever-dwindling ranching community. He believes this is not just the right thing to do, but his responsibility. As a native Arizonan and especially as a member of a ranching family, he states, "land and the ranching way of life aren't just my background, but are a part of me, and thus, a part of my future."
....................................................................
 
Christopher Flake back to the list
Christopher is a second year recipient, and plans to study Agribusiness. He would like to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree, and then perhaps continue on to obtain his Master's in this field. He still hasn't decided which field of Agribusiness appeals to him the most, but he was raised around agriculture and knows it's what he likes and wants to study. He's a newlywed who has been working almost full time while also going to school full time. The ACSO scholarship will make it possible for Christopher to work fewer hours and focus more on his studies.
....................................................................
 
KAYLA Flake back to the list
Kayla was a very active high school student, participating in many scholastic, music, sports, religious and agricultural activities; joined the National Honor Society her junior year and continued to participate her senior year. She received a 4.0 GPA for her entire high school years and was Salutatorian of her graduating class. She has now completed two semesters at ASU with a GPA of 3.82 and is on the Deans Honor List. She plans to finish college with a Bachelor of Science in Nursin, hoping to keep her GPA as high as she can and hopefully graduate in four or fewer years.
....................................................................
 
Vicki Flake back to the list
Vicki is a second year recipient, and the youngest of the ten Flake children. The last three years before leaving home, she was her Dad's only help on the family ranch, where she learned about responsibility and the value of hard work. Now that she's living on her own, she has learned how to manage her finances, and balance her school, work, and social schedule; while at the same time, learning what needs to be done to study effectively to do well in her classes. Vicki hopes to graduate with a degree in Child Development and eventually manage a pre-school. She presently works at Montessori Education Centre where she is able to combine her work with her college courses.
....................................................................
 
HOLLY Halford back to the list
Holly graduated from Sonrise Academy, a home schooling program, which she started in her freshman year because she was unhappy with public school. She feels it was a challenging experience, but well worth it, as she believes she developed better study habits and became more disciplined because of it. She plans to attent Yavapai Community College in the fall, hoping to complete her associates there and then transfer to a university to complete her four year degree.
....................................................................
 
Josie Halford back to the list
Josie is a second year recipient of an ACSO scholarship. She has completed her first year at Yavapai Community College, working toward her Associate of Arts Degree; and eventually may pursue a Fine Arts Degree, as her interests lie in art. Additionally, she enjoys writing so is interested in perhaps public relations work or photojournalism.
....................................................................
 

Jake Michael Hughes back to the list
Jake is a third year recipient, and tells the Board that life in college was definitely different than the life he has been used to living; and it has been quite an adjustment, going to a school that has twice as many people than that of his hometown! Jake is happy to report he has finally found a major that suits him in Agricultural Economics and Business Management. He is in the Jacob Kline Society, a group geared toward leadership and community service; and is Vice President of Alpha Gamma Rho, which is the nation's largest agricultural fraternity.
....................................................................

 
Wesley Carl Kimble back to the list
This is Carl's first year as an ACSO Scholarship Recipient. He attends the University of Arizona where he'll graduate in May 2005 with a degree in Agricultural Education. His goals are to complete his Ag Ed degree and become an Ag teacher. He has always enjoyed working with youth and watching them succed in life, and feels as an Ag teacher he could have a positive influence on youth as well as the agricultural issues in Arizona. He was raised on a small ranch near Douglas and feels this background will benefit his ability as an Ag teacher.
....................................................................
 
Andy Krentz back to the list
A returning applicant, Andy is attending New Mexico State University. He is presently working in the NMSU sports medicine program; the internship portion of the athletic training program, where he works about 400 hours a semester. He doesn't get paid for this work but receives a grade and feels the experience will prove valuable in the future. He plans to graduate this year and then go on to graduate school, pursueing a masters degree in education. He hopes to take his athletic training degree back to the high school setting where he can effectively teach young athletes how to perform to the best of their abilities.
....................................................................
 
 
Frank Krentz back to the list
Frank is receiving his fourth scholarship award from ACSO, and like his brother, Andy, attends NMSU. His goal is to graduate with a degree in Agriculture Business, and will soon narrow the field down to Finance, Economics, or Marketing. All areas seem equally interesting to him at this point. Frank has been maintaining a 3.5 GPA, and with determination and hard work, hopes to maintain that throughout his schooling. Once out of college, he hopes to work to better the Agriculture industry.
....................................................................
 
 
Michaela Lutch back to the list
This is the third year ACSO has awarded a scholarship to Michaela, who has joined the three year degree program of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Northern Arizona University, and plans to graduate in May of 2005. This summer she plans to start her internship working in Wyoming at Turpin Meadow Ranch; a guest ranch near Jackson Hole where guests come from around the country. By working there, she will earn the internship hours she needs for graduating, and therefore, she should be a senior by the end of summer.
....................................................................
 
 
Kaci Malouff back to the list
A returning recipient, Kaci is currently attending the University of Arizona, where she has switched her major to agricultural education. She wants to become an equine chiropractor, and hopes to attend an acupressure school this spring; and then go on to Montana State to become a certified equine therapist this summer. She also plans to eventually become an Ag teacher and believes with the culinary education she already achieved at Scottsdale College, as well as her training as an equine chiropractor therapist, that she'll be able to live and have meaningful work wherever she chooses to live.
....................................................................
 
 
STEVEN "CHANCE" SMITH back to the list
Chance will be attending one of only two places in the US where a Ranch and Feedlot Operations Course is offered; Clarendon College, in Clarendon, Texas. His desire to seek out and find this learning institution came about because of his genuine love of agriculture and ranching. After completing this course he then plans to add another year of academics and graduate with an Associates of Applied Sciende degree in the spring of 2006. He believes this education plus his experience will enable him to some day take over management of the family ranch.
....................................................................
 
 
Joel Valenzuela back to the list
This returning ACSO scholarship recipient entered college last year at age 16, and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Joel's goal is to pursue a degree and certification in the field of Actuarial Science; a branch of mathematics that develops models for calculating risk. An actuary's tasks may range from calculating insurance premiums and establishing pension funds to helping a manufacturer assess the risk of setting up a bicycle factory in communist China. Toward that goal, he has nearly completed the liberal arts core curriculum and has begun the four-course calculus series; which will be followed by advanced studies in probability and statistics, interest theory, financial analysis, and mathematical modeling.
....................................................................
 
 
Roberto Valenzuela back to the list
Roberto is a second year ACSO scholarship recipient, attending college in preparation for a career in political journalism or with a public policy institute, in an international setting. Fluent in Spanish, Roberto has a facility for learning languages, which includes French, and he recently began the study of Japanese. Upon graduation from college, he plans to teach English in Japan, to support himself while he becomes fluent in Japanese. This summer he will attend an intensive course at Biola University in California to become certified in teaching English to speakers of oher languages (a "TESOL" certificate).
....................................................................
 
 

Kelli Walker back to the list
This is the fifth year Kellie has been granted an ASCO scholarship. She graduated from Collin County Community College in Plano, Texas with her Associates of Arts degree in July 2002, where she was the Secretary of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a member of the volleyball team, and was ranked #2 in the nation for blocks in the NJCAA, and received the Defensive Player of the Year Award. She is now in Nashville, where she completed her childhood goal of playing NCAA Division I volleyball at a major university. She transferred to Belmont University in August, and is majoring in Sociology and Elementary Education. She is scheduled to graduate in December 2004, after studying this summer in Costa Rica with the Study Abroad Program. Kellie is active in the Nashville community, working with the Hispanic Achievers program through the YMCA. This program helps adolescent Hispanics prepare for college by taking introductory courses at Belmont University and learning what college life is like; while at the same time helping to teach the student's parents English as a second language. She hopes to eventually work in the education field and hopes her time spent in Costa Rica this summer will benefit her future goals.
....................................................................

 

 


home
| for students | fundraisers | donate | recipients | supporters | letters | contact


Copyright ©2003-2008 The Arizona Cowpuncher's Scholarship Organization, Inc. All rights reserved.