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Ft. Hays (Kan.) State University students Rylan Hays and Ashton Ottley have been awarded scholarships from the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association.
Hays is a junior at FHSU, majoring in mass communications, public relations and advertising.
A collegiate steer wrestler and team roper, his parents, LeRoy and Deb, have volunteered with the Phillipsburg Rodeo for years. He tagged along with his dad LeRoy, helping at the rodeo grounds, in a variety of ways, untying calves, at the concessions stand, and watching the gate so the bucking horses don’t get out.
The money he was awarded by the rodeo “will hep me focus more on schoolwork,” he said. “I can spend my time on classwork instead of worrying about picking up more shifts to help pay for schooling.”
He is a native of Phillipsburg.

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Ashton Ottley, a junior at FHSU, is from Hays and competes as a barrel racer.
She has been a spectator at the Phillipsburg rodeo multiple times and has competed in that arena in other events.
She is working towards a bachelors of nursing degree and would like to work as a registered nurse in an emergency room. “I love the adrenaline,” she said. “I work very well under pressure.”
The scholarship will help her fund her schooling.
“I’m working as much as I can, but it’s slim with rodeo and nursing school, so the scholarship helps me be more financially set up.”
She is the daughter of Mark Ottley and Barbara-Jean Ottley.

Past Phillipsburg Rodeo Association Scholarship Winners

2023-2024 Rylan Hays, Phillipsburg, Kan. and Ashton Ottley, Hays, Kan., FHSU students

2022-2023 Sage Dieter, Alma, Neb. and Maggie Underhill, Hill City, Kan., Mid-Plains Community College students

2021-2022 Brent Hornbuckle, Ottawa, Kan. and Kamryn Smith, Linn, Kansas

2020-2021 Brody Davis, Cody Neb. and Jessi Ross, Falcon, Colo.

2019-2020 LaRae Boaldin, Garden City, Kan. and Seth Pearson, Oconto, Neb.

2018-2019 Bailey McCaughey, Eads, Colo. and Nathan Poss, Scotia, Neb.

2017-2018 - Shae Biedenbender, Westmoreland, Kan. and Travis Booth, Castle Rock, Colo.

2016-2017 Kaitlyn Dinges, Ness City, Kan. and Wyatt Livingston, Oxford, Neb.

2015-2016 MariKate Crouch, Scott City, Kan. and Matt Rezac, Onaga, Kan.

2014-2015 Simone Dockers, Rose Hill, Kan. and Jacob Willems, Windom, Kan.

2013-2014 Tylee Coffman, Dunning, Neb. and Tonnica Ouellette, Yoder, Colo.

2012-2013 Ty Rumford, Abbyville, Kan. and Cassie Wasko, Hanston, Kan.

2011-2012 Ty Rumford, Abbyville, Kan. and Samantha Tenpenny, Topeka, Kan.

2010-2011 Kadie Hays, Phillipsburg, Kan. and Cody Pratt, Scott City, Kan.

2009-2010 Nikki Brobst, Stockton, Kan. and Cody Pratt, Scott City, Kan.

2008-2009 Shane Harmon, Hill City, Kan.

2007-2008 Jenna Rolland, Hays, Kan. and Shawn Downey, Dodge City, Kan.

2006-2007 Brooke Inlow, Oakley, Kan. and Logan Glaze, Oberlin, Kan.

2005-2006 Katie Reimler, Junction City, Kan. and Travis Camac, Augusta, Kan.

2004-2005 Abbey Wagaman, Emporia, Kan., Travis Camac, Augusta, Kan. and Austin Boggs, Winfield, Kan.

2003-2004 Haley Hazen, Protection, Kan. and Cole Camac, Augusta, Kan.

2002-2003 Lana Stueve, Olpe, Kan. and Heidi Housholder, Ashland, Kan.

2001-2002 Braden Stueve, Olpe, Kan. and Colter Dent, Brookville, Kan.

2000-2001 Jamie Mulanax, Hoyt, Kan. and Matt Jarvis, Phillipsburg, Kan.

1999-2000 Katie White, Little River, Kan. and Levi Taylor, Jewell, Kan.

1998-1999 Suzette Long, St. John, Kan. and Kyle Van Doren, St. John, Kan.

1997-1998 Kyle Van Doren, St. John, Kan. and Amy Burton, Matfield Green, Kan.

1996-1997 Kyle Van Doren, St. John, Kan. and Amy Burton, Matfield Green, Kan.

(all recipients from 1996 through the 2021-2022 school year were FHSU students)