The Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund has awarded 32
scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year to children of full-time workers on
Central Kentucky Thoroughbred farms. Tuition scholarships are for education
after high school and are based upon need, merit, essays and personal
interviews. To date, 384 annual scholarships (averaging nearly $2,000 each) have
been awarded since the Fund’s inception in 1996. Approximately 125 scholars have
graduated from college or technical programs, several with honors and many
on Dean’s lists, including a 4.0 college valedictorian.
The 2009-2010 Horse Farm Workers’ Education Assistance scholars and the
schools they will be attending are:
| Thomas Moore College: | Lindsay Brumley | Murray State: | Pamela Deegan | |||
| Trey Rankin | Liz Fiero | |||||
| Morehead State: | Kaitlyn Alexander | U. of KY: | Shane Goforth | |||
| Megan Brady | Ashley Herrera | |||||
| Josh Davis | Mary Koch | |||||
| John Rankin | Kathleen Layton | |||||
| Hanna Sams | Sean Parisel | |||||
| *BCTC: | Monica Calleja | Eastern KY: | Lyndsay Sams | |||
| Cheli Castillo | Sarah Shaw | |||||
| Brett Courtney | Lindsay Zahn | |||||
| Megan Lynn | Elizabeth Zajic | |||||
| Justin Purvis | ||||||
| Jose Salazar | Western KY: | Steven Powell | ||||
| Viridiana Salazar | Parker Wornall | |||||
| Mary Baldwin College: | Sarah Burton | U. of the Cumberlands: | Stephanie Sosby | |||
| Middle Tenn. State: | Megan Hephner | U. of the South: | Miller Thornbury | |||
| LSU: | Linzay Marks |
*BCTC – Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Two of the scholars who will be attending the University of Kentucky are also
UK Pollard Scholars, and another is a UK Jamal Mashburn Scholar.
Qualifying parents of these scholars are employed full-time by the following
central Kentucky farms: Beech Spring Farm, Bradyleigh, CASA (2), Cedar Ridge,
Claiborne (4), Crestwood, Darby Dan, Darley America (4), Denali, Fab Oak, Golden
Age, High Point, Indian Creek, Loch Lea, Manchester, Niknar, Pin Oak, Six
Winters, Stonehaven Steadings, Sunnyside, Three Chimneys (2), Wimbledon, and
Winstar Farm.
“Year after year, hard-working, extraordinary young people continue to
impress the board with their ability, accomplishments and enthusiasm,” said Rob Whiteley,
president of the Fund. “They have internalized the work ethic of their
parents, and most of them help pay their way through school by working one or
more jobs in addition to carrying a full load of classes. Thus, the goal of the
Fund is to provide enough money to these deserving students so that their school
work can be their number one priority. In many instances, our scholars are the
first in their family history to pursue a post-secondary education; and in some
cases, they would not be able to attend without our financial assistance.
“Horse farm workers are the backbone of the Thoroughbred industry, and these
young people are a source of great pride to their parents who have worked so
hard in order for their children to enjoy a fulfilling and productive quality of
life,” Whitely added. “The scholarships are an investment in truly motivated
individuals who possess initiative and great potential. And the best news of all
is that many of them intend to pursue careers in the Thoroughbred industry. In
this way, supporting the Fund also makes practical sense, as it helps to build a
stronger horse industry in the future. Several graduates are already
distinguishing themselves in horse related endeavors, including one who is
currently serving as Director of Racing at a major North American track.”
The Scholarship Fund is run on a volunteer basis, and more than 92 percent of
donated monies flow through to recipients. Tax deductible contributions may be
made to the Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund, 2938 Four Pines
Drive, Lexington, KY, 40502-2969.
Applications for the 2010-2011 school year will
be available in May, and inquiries may be made to 859-269-1719. Additional
information may be viewed at
www.horsefarmworkerseducationfund.com.