Scholarships
Scholarship funds
Each scholarship honors a unique talent. Together, they grow tradition.
Help support fresh voices, creative excellence, and participatory spirit at the Gathering.
We welcome contributions* to these funds in any amount.
Scholarships are adjudicated and administered by the Western Folklife Center.
2024 Scholarship Recipients
Natalie G’Schwind
Della Johns Scholarship
Carson Houser
Rod McQueary & Sue Wallis Scholarship
Kye Rieff
Buck Ramsey Scholarship
Dana Wirth
Ian Tyson Legacy Fund Scholarship
Della Johns Scholarship
Photo courtesy of Ginger Manley
Della was born on a ranch in North Fork, Nevada in 1913. Widowed when her husband Bob died in 1980, Della raised their three kids while working as a nurse at Elko General Hospital. She helped found Elko’s Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Her poems of ranch life reflected her own experiences. Della raised a clear voice for ranch women whose work may have been behind the scenes, but was nonetheless essential. She passed away in 2001 and friends of Della’s established this scholarship in her name to recognize and support the attendance of women poets with similar ranching backgrounds.
Rod McQueary & Sue Wallis Scholarship
Elko native Rod McQueary wrote poetry regarding ranch life that ranged from cleverly subtle to gut-busting hilarious. Married for 18 years, Rod and Sue Wallis were both raised on ranches and wrote based on their personal experiences. They were involved with the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering from its earliest days. The future of the Gathering is ensured by bringing more talented young people aboard to preserve and perpetuate ranch culture with this scholarship.
Buck Ramsey Scholarship
Photo by Meg Glaser
Buck Ramsey was a cowboy, poet, writer, and musician who performed at cowboy poetry events around the county. As a youngster, Buck performed with his siblings and parents, David Melvin and Pearl Lee (Williams) Ramsey, as a gospel singing group around the Panhandle of Texas. In 1995 he was presented the National Heritage Master Artist Award and he received the Lifetime Achievement & Best Poetry Book awards by the Academy of Western Artists and the American Cowboy Culture Award for music in 1996. This scholarship brings Texas-influenced talent to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
Ian Tyson Legacy Fund
The legendary Ian Tyson–renowned National Cowboy Poetry Gathering participant since its beginnings in 1985–was known for his songwriting and mentorship. Picking up the guitar after a rodeo riding injury, Ian went on to have a highly successful six-decades-long career in music. Seeded by long-time Western Folklife Center member Vickie Mullen and sustained by other generous donors, the Ian Tyson Legacy fund fund benefits selected individuals from working ranching communities to dive deeper into their hands-on creative practices by allowing for recipients to attend the Gathering workshop of their choice for $50, no matter the original cost. The fund also supports us in hosting workshops focused on the creative process and the business side of writing and performing western music and poetry. And, in homage to Ian, the fund provides a scholarship that recognizes emerging songwriters and supports them in their craft.
Questions about scholarships?
Contact Cleo Hansen
at (775) 738-7508 x221
or chansen@westernfolklife.org
*The Western Folklife Center is a non-profit 501c(3) organization based in Elko, Nevada. Please consult with your attorney or tax advisor for the various tax benefits and restrictions that may apply to any contribution to the Western Folklife Center on behalf of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. No goods or services will be provided in exchange for your contribution.
Banner image: Annie Mackenzie (2023 Della Johns scholarship recipient), photo by Marla Aufmuth