Montana Silversmiths “Pursuit of Excellence” teams up with Montana Silversmiths Preferred Trophy Dealers to award scholarships to high school and college students as a direct result of the Everybody Wins Trophy Program. The “Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship" is an investment in candidates who have a history of self-improvement and a desire to better themselves and the communities in which they live. This scholarship is unique, in the fact that the recipients are not being rewarded for having the best grades or possessing the the most athletic ability, but celebrates the student with a desire to become the best that they can be; individuals that are in the “Pursuit of Excellence.”

If you or someone you know strives to acheive excellence and would like to be considered for the 2008 Pursuit of Excellence scholarship, please click here for more information.

Ashley Boyce

Ashley Boyce: St.Mary of the Woods College, St. Mary of the Woods IN Clubs & Activities: 4-H,AQHA, CMSA Pursuit of Excellence: Pursuit of Excellence is a way to live your whole life. I always push myself to be the best I can and to help others to be the best they can be. I have big dreams for the future, and I will do all I can to make my dreams come true and reach my full potential. My biggest competitor is myself!

Lana Bingham

Lana Bingham: Utah Valley State College, Orem UT Clubs & Activities: NIRA, IMPRA,UHSRA, 4-H Pursuit of Excellence: The pursuit of excellence has given me success. It has taught me the meaning of goals and that hard work pays off. If it were not for the pursuit of excellence, I would not be as far as I am today

James "Cody" Cabral PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE

James “Cody” Cabral: Walla Walla Community, Walla Walla WA Clubs & Activities: NHSRA,Basketball, National Honor society Pursuit of Excellence: The pursuit of excellence means that I have to, want to and am willing to give up everything else to pursue to excellence.

Bridger Chambers

Bridger Chambers: University of Montana, Missoula MT Clubs & Activities: Basketball, Football,MHSRA,4-H Pursuit of Excellence: It has given me the opportunity to continue my education, pursue my desire to rodeo at a higher level and to encourage other students to do well.

Whitney Clopton

Whitney Clopton: Mc Neese State University, Lake Charles LA Clubs & Activities: NIRA, NHSRA, Wrangler All Star Team, Honor Roll Pursuit of Excellence: Pursuit of Excellence means setting goals and working hard (and giving it your best)to attain those goals. There age rough roads when your pursue any endeavor,but as long as you give 100% of yourself and know within yourself you have given your all, Then you have achieved excellence and will recognize your accomplishments. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way.

Jessica Darway

Jessica Darway: CA Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo CA Clubs & Activities: CHSRA, 4-H, FFA, AQYHA, Volleyball, Honor Roll Pursuit of Excellence: Pursuit of Excellence is continually revolving in my life. It means always working hard to do my best for myself and those around me and then pushing myself to do better. It is not a goal that can be reached and finished, like running a race or graduating college. The “Pursuit of Excellence” is a mindset that begins deep inside an individual and continues forever. It is meeting the challenge to make decisions that are good for everyone, not just immediate for personal gain, and then continuing to improve, work hard, and move on.

Cody Flammond

Cody Flammond: Mt Tech, U of M, Butte MT Clubs & Activities: WTRC,4-H, NHSRA, NRA, NDRA, NBHA Pursuit of Excellence: Pursuit of Excellence means pursuit of improvement; going above and beyond what is just good enough, pursuing the best and going one step beyond.

Holly Matz

Holly Matz: Seattle Pacific University, Seattle WA Clubs & Activities: AQHA, MHSRA, 4-H, Key Club Pursuit of Excellence: We are all given different talnets and gifts, and the most important part is what we do with those gifts that we are given. My life motto s “to do the best I can be and to make the most of every opportunity given to me.

Michael Miller

Michael Miller: Northwest College, Powell WY Clubs & Activities: MHRSA, NRA, Boy Scouts, Martial Arts, Track & Field Pursuit of Excellence: The Pursuit of Excellence to me is the quest I take to ensure everything I do is done to the best of my ability, then striving to go beyond without letting the little things set me back. I strive for excellence by using focus, determination, confidence, and my passion to accomplish my goals.

Morgan Montello

Morgan Montello: Sam Houston University, Huntsville TX Clubs & Activities: FFA, 4-H, Wrangler All Star Team, TYRA, NHSRA, NBRA, WPRA, Honor Society Pursuit of Excellence: Pursuit of Excellence, to me means doing your very best and striving for that ultimate plateau that is higher than your previous goals and achievements. When I read your subtitle, "Some of the most fierce competitor is against oneself" it really hit home. I had a very bad horse accident and almost died. Being a fierce competitor that I am, I felt I had to prove to others that I could make a comeback and compete at the level I had before the accident. I was basically my own competitor and through setting goals, rehabilitation, and much hard work, I once again achieved my goals and have gone on to set higher goals in order to continue to reach for excellence. I truly believe that excellence is something that people should strive for all their lives. Once one goal is achieved-or is in sight, set a higher plateau, and "Go For It!"

Jessica Picchietti

Jessica Picchietti: Central Wyoming College, Riverton WY Clubs & Activities: USTRC,MTRA,NRA,4-H, MHSRA,WTRC Pursuit of Excellence: The Pursuit of Excellence has several meaning to me. In the first place it takes a special individual to take on a challenge. The sacrifice, dedication, and hard work are not for the faint of heart. Everyone has this within them it is just whether or not they choose to pursue it. In the quest for excellence knowing and having balance in your life is a must. It is important to put your family and education first. The pursuit of Excellence to me means being the best person I can absolutely be, in and out of the arena.

Brent Sutton

Brent Sutton: South Dakota State University, Brookings SD Clubs & Activities: NHSRA, NIRA, 4-H, National Honor Society Pursuit of Excellence: Pursuit of excellence is sportsmanship, setting and achieving goals, and living the western lifestyles. Pursuit of Excellence is the way I would like to describe myself. I strive for improvement in all areas of my life: education, athletics, and rodeo. I set goals and expect to win when competing or get an A when I write a paper. I am a fifth generation of a western family that brings rodeo to thousands of spectators each year. While competing in spots I make an extra effort to be a role model and a good image for my team and my sport. Finally, I feel it is important to be involved in your community and volunteer my time in numerous activities throughout the year.

Click here to view the scholarship class of 2006.
Click here to view the scholarship class of 2005.