Scholarships

Autumn Zilar is the recipient of the Horse Heaven Round-Up scholarship. She graduated from Kamiakin High School in 2020, while also receiving her Associate of Arts degree from Columbia Basin College through the Running Start program. Autumn has been participating in the Benton Franklin Fair since she was a young girl. She won her first trophy competing in Mutton Bustin’ at the Horse Heaven Round-Up. When she was a young girl, her family volunteered at the Horse Heaven Round-Up as Top Hands. She spent countless hours around the arena with them and learning about the great sport of rodeo. Later, Autumn became a Flag Girl and joined the Wrangler Girls in the arena at the Horse Heaven Round-Up. Autumn loved being a part of the Wrangler Girls and being able to be a part of her hometown rodeo. During her junior and senior year of high school, she showed swine for 4-H and FFA. She was a member of the Washington State High School Rodeo Association for two years and competed in barrels and poles. Autumn plans on getting her degree in animal science and agriculture production at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. She is very thankful to have received this scholarship, as it will help her continue her academic and rodeo career.

Juliana Nelson, the daughter of Jeff and Michelle Nelson is a recent graduate of Columbia Burbank High school, with several credits from Columbia Basin College’s Running Start program. She participated in the Benton Franklin Fair for many years through the Dune Dusters 4-H club as well as being active in the WHSRA and Wrangler Girls. When Juliana isn’t focused on her studies you can often find her in the rodeo arena. This fall Juliana will begin her education towards a master’s degree in architecture at the University of Idaho where she will also compete on the Vandal Rodeo Team. Juliana is thankful for the support of the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo Association and their encouragement of higher education.