2007 HAT Scholarship

2007 HAT Scholarship Awarded at Youth Clinic

The Horseman’s Association of Texoma (HAT) announced the recipient of its 2007 Youth Scholarship during their annual Youth Clinic on June 9th at Loy Lake Arena in Denison.

Matt McWhorter, 2007 HAT Youth Scholarship recipient (L), Sandra Shiver, HAT President (R)

Matt McWhorter, a graduating senior at Sam Rayburn High School in Ivanhoe, became the 4th recipient of the annual $500 scholarship, which is awarded each year to a Texoma-area student. As a fourth-generation member of a working family ranch, Matt is responsible for the care and conditioning of the horses used by him and his family for rodeo competition. In school he was on the honor roll and a member of the varsity basketball team, track team, and Beta Club. In addition, he is a member of the Telephone Church Youth Group, Texoma Junior Rodeo Association, and the Texas High School Rodeo Association, and he qualified for the 2007 Texas High School Rodeo State Championships in both calf roping and team roping. He also helped as an aide for an elementary Physical Education class, working with first and second graders to help them improve their basketball and life skills. He has been accepted at Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant.

In announcing this year's scholarship, HAT President and Scholarship Committee Chair Sandra Shiver stated, "2007 saw a 16% increase in participation from 2006, with applications received from throughout the Texoma area including both states, seven counties, and twelve schools, both public and private.

"Presenting the scholarship would not be possible without the hard work and effort by HAT members working toward funding and promoting the scholarship. Thank you to all our sponsors for their generous contributions, and all those who attended, volunteered, or participated in our fund raising events over the past year. And a very special thank you goes out to all the parents and grandparents who support their kids' involvement with horses!"

To be considered for the scholarship, students must submit an application packet which includes writing an essay describing how their lives have benefited from working with horses. The scholarship funds must be used to pay for tuition or expenses at an accredited two- or four-year college or university.

We wish Matt well as he continues his educational pursuits.