Scholarship
Wissota Scholarship Program
This scholarship program is open to Wissota Appaloosa Horse Club members ages 15+ who will be attending a post-secondary or technical school. Applicants must reside in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, or South Dakota.
2023 Scholarship Recipients
Maisen Gores
Recipient of the "Rising Star" Scholarship
Maisen is currently studying Applied Science – Biology at US Stout, with a plan to pursue a career in Pediatric Optometry. She explained that she has always had a love for children and wanted to pursue a career that included working with younger kids. She was drawn to optometry, where she could specialize in pediatrics but would also have the flexibility to continue to pursue her horse interests. Maisen plans to attend optometry school after her undergraduate degree. As an equestrian, Maisen was born to ride, with her mom competing at her first world show when she was six months pregnant with Maisen. “I simply do not remember life before horses because I have never been without,” she explained in her essay. Maisen has been incredibly successful in the show arena, achieving her Youth Supreme Championship award in 2022 along with numerous ApHC Youth World Show titles. She is a perfect recipient for the Rising Star award based on her demonstrated excellence in the show pen as well as her academics. We are proud to have Maisen as part of the #wissotastrong family and wish her the best!
Maggie Malling
Maggie Malling is the recipient of this year’s “Positive Participator” scholarship, which recognizes youth and young adults who are making a positive contribution in the horse community. Maggie is currently enrolled at the PCI Academy in Plymouth, MN where she is pursuing a career in cosmetology. Maggie explained in her essay that she plans to make her passion her career and was always the friend who did everyone’s hair for dances and prom and provided product recommendations for hair, make-up and skincare. She plans to bring that into the horse world as well, telling us, “I always look forward to planning colorful, flattering, sweat proof makeup for horse shows during the summer.”
Maggie has been a member of Wissota for several years, participating in shows and clinics. This year, while unable to show, she volunteered at both of our shows, serving as the ring steward and scribe. Judges love her support and professionalism and the Wissota club is grateful to have a talented member who is generous with her time in giving back to the club.
Recipient of the "Positive Participator" Scholarship
Kennedie Owens
Recipient of the "Positive Participator" Scholarship
Kennedie Owens is another recipient of the “Positive Participator” scholarship. Kennedie is currently studying Biology at UW – La Crosse with a plan to pursue Interventional Radiology. Kennedie explains in her scholarship essay that she has always wanted to work in the medical field and she was intrigued when she first heard about interventional radiology. “I want to make people’s lives easier and better,” she explains. Kennedie works in customer service while at school, and she has learned that just the smallest interactions with people can change their lives for the better. Kennedie has been an avid horsewoman since she was young, demonstrating success in and out of the show pen. She credits growing up with horses with teaching her many life lessons, including dealing with stressful situations, patience, and the importance of getting to the root of the problem in order to fix it. We wish Kennedie the best in her pursuits and are proud to be able to help support her!
Baleigh Stouffer
Our final scholarship recipient is Baleigh Stouffer, who is receiving our “An App for That” scholarship. This is aimed at youth and young adults who have had success with their Appaloosa horses either in or out of the show pen. Baleigh and her mare, Designed to B Ginger, have been incredibly successful in showing in both the ApHC as well as WSCA and she is another great representative of the #wissotastrong family! Baleigh says that every show is a new opportunity to learn something new from your horse and the others around you. She is also part of her local 4H club and has been part of the horse project for the last 8 years. Baleigh is current in high school and plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science in the future, with the hope of becoming a veterinarian. “I thought having animals around me was almost like my calling," she explains in her essay. She wants to be able to diagnose and treat various animals and hopefully make their life better. We have no doubt that she will, and wish her the best in her pursuits!