2015 ASHA Youth Scholarship Recipients Named
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced the names of their 2015 ASHA Youth Scholarship recipients.
The individuals receiving scholarships are Allison Cloud of Louisville, Ky. and Melissa Heres of Aragon, Ga.
Allison Cloud has been involved with the American Saddlebred since age 7 when she began riding lessons with Biggins Stables in Simpsonville, Kentucky. She has been very active with the youth club, Biggins Bridle Bunch holding positions of President, Photographer and Yearbook Designer. During her term as President, the club earned awards every year including Youth Club of the Year a total of four times. She helped organize many of their activities including planning meetings, fundraisers and community service events. Currently, she serves as advisor for the club. When she’s not busy with school and other barn activities, Allison has an interest in photography. Her photos have been in many competitions and earned awards including the ASHA Youth Photo Contest, American Saddlebred Youth and Young Adult Art Contest and the Kentucky State Fair. She has also been a volunteer for the Saddlebred Rescue Silent Auction since 2008.
Allison currently attends Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Indiana. She is in Business Marketing and a member of the Honors Program. She hopes to pursue a career as a photographer.
Melissa Heres grew up in Germany in a strong and rigorous learning environment where she not only excelled academically but found joy in learning. She was awarded the AP Scholar with Honor distinction from the College Board, a member of the National Honor Society and also the Communications Director for Rome High School’s National Honor Society. Outside the classroom, Melissa, being the daughter of a horse trainer has had many opportunities relating to her equestrian career including the freedom to explore other disciplines as well as Saddleseat. Melissa trained her own horse to transition from Five Gaited classes to the Hunter Jumper world. This experience has taught her true sportsmanship which she has been rewarded, plus being able to promote the American Saddlebred and its versatility. Melissa was the recipient of the ASHA Frank Ogletree Youth Sportsmanship Award, Dewey Henderson Youth Sportsmanship Award, UPHA Chapter 17 Juvenile Sportsmanship Award, ASHAG Pride of Georgia Award, nominee from ASHA for the USEF Youth Sportsmanship Award and a member of the USEF High School Athlete Program.
Melissa will attend the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina this fall majoring in Biology.
The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage, support and recognize participation in all aspects of the American Saddlebred industry, as well as to strengthen the American Saddlebred industry and breed through education.
Scholarships are awarded only to high school graduates or those students whose graduation is imminent. Applications must be received by April 30 of the year in which the applicant wishes to receive the scholarship. The scholarship money will be paid directly to the institution, university, college or trade school for post-secondary educational expenses.
For questions about ASHA Youth Scholarships, please contact Brenda Newell at b.newell@asha.net
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