We have been privileged to support the Happy Canyon & Pendleton Round-Up Court members through scholarships for the last 20 years. During this time over 150 young women have received scholarships and opportunities to pursue high education.
To celebrate the 20th year of the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation providing tuition assistance for higher learning to the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Court members we spoke with multiple past queens and princesses who shared their experiences, lessons learned, and where they are today.
Cydney Corey Curtis was queen in 2004 and a princess in 2003. She currently lives in Pendleton, Oregon, and is a fifth grade teacher at Sherwood Elementary.
Reminiscing on her time with the court she said, “being on the court was such an amazing experience. You meet so many new and interesting people and each and every one of these people help to make you a better person. The community support for the Round-Up is phenomenal with the whole community backing the courts. Being on the court also taught me organizational skills, leadership skills (which I put to use in college as the President of my sorority), and also how to be a great communicator. I have now come full circle, as my husband is on the Happy Canyon board and we were in charge of the Happy Canyon court as their chaperones in 2016. It was a great experience and was really fun to see the Round-Up and Happy Canyon courts from a different perspective.-From a past court member to chaperone. It is amazing to see all of the wonderful young women come out of Round-Up and Happy Canton each year. They all have such bright futures.”
Cydney Corey Curtis
Jennifer Levy Currin was a part of the Pendleton Round-Up Court in 2003 and 2005, and served as queen. She currently is an attorney living in Pendleton, Oregon, with her family. Last year she was the President of the Oregon State Bar Family Law Executive Committee (FLEC) and this year was selected to the 2018 Oregon Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers publication.
When discussing the benefits of education, Jennifer said, “my education improved my discipline, focus, writing skills, and confidence to tackle life problems. My education prepared me for the future. Last year, I was appointed by Governor Brown to represent Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District as a commissioner on the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). I know my legal education and background are what led to my appointment. I am honored to serve our state. My legal education has opened doors and allowed me the opportunity to serve others.
Without a doubt, the scholarship helped me obtain my goals. I was responsible for funding my law school education and the scholarship that I received from my queen year helped reduce the size of my law school loans. The scholarship helped me come out of law school with more freedom to choose a career I was passionate about instead of worrying about paying back my student loans. I remember the stress of signing my name on the dotted line to take out student loans and I am thankful the scholarship could relieve some of the stress. In my opinion, at that time in my life, there was no greater gift than a scholarship to help fund my education. The scholarship recognized that I (and all of our court members) had educational and career goals for the future. The scholarship allowed us the opportunity to serve our community on the court and achieve our educational goals at the same time.
Education is one of the most valuable tools for success. I hope to instill in my children the value of education. You get out what effort you put in. You do not have to attend to the most expensive school to get a valuable education that will stick with you throughout your life. Being on the court has helped me to take chances in life. I took a chance this April to participate in Pendleton’s Dancing with the Stars. Although I was nervous to dance in front of others, the court had given me experience in putting my nerves aside for a good cause. And it worked out. My two charities I was dancing for raised over $20,000 (I was told but can double check if someone wants to know).”
Jennifer Levy Currin
Marissa Baumgartner was a Happy Canyon Princess in 2015. She went to OSU, studied in the college of Public Health, and graduated with a degree in human development and family science, with a focus in child development. Marissa currently lives on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and works at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center as the Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education Program Coordinator.
Marisa shared, “my education is something that is a privilege not all in my community have had the opportunity to access. I am a first generation college graduate, so that alone is a gift. Education has always been my foundation, and my parents always pushed me to do my best so that I didn’t have to struggle in the same ways that they once did. Without my education I would not have the knowledge about children, people, and life in general. Studying human development has not only been key in my field, but has also created an opportunity for me to learn about the brain and why us humans are the way we are. Through this learning I have been able to find so much healing and solace in my own life, as well as the lives of my ancestors. Through learning this knowledge I have the opportunity to share and teach others about the developmental stages from birth through the end of life. This knowledge allows people to start to understand their own lives and truly begin to create a life they want to live. Human Development is especially important in my work in Prevention. Teaching students about the development of their brain throughout childhood is the best way to teach kids to protect their brains, and why staying drug and alcohol free is important during these crucial periods of development.
Before having the opportunity to attend college, this information was foreign to me. Without my education, I would not be able to help or impact people in the way that I do today. All in all, my education has given me the eyes to see that all people go through hard times, and allows me to look at someone, breathe with them, and let them know that I hear them and they are seen. We never know what each person faces throughout life. By remembering this, we are able to see each other through compassionate eyes and remind ourselves that we, too, have had hard times.
I paid for the first two years of community college myself, and these scholarships truly made school more realistic and possible for me. Most of my life I stressed about money, and to know I was going to have at least a portion of my expenses paid for, took a lot of that stress off of my back while I was attending college.
I am eternally grateful for the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation and these scholarship opportunities. What has been most remarkable to me since being linked with Jordan Schnitzer is the philanthropic work he does. It is obvious Jordan is extremely passionate about his work, and is truly authentic in all that he does. My statements above are truly a reflection of what I have learned from Jordan since knowing him. He is always giving back to several communities, and does so through his passion. I hope to live a life as Jordan has, he loves life and life loves him right back. Being on the Round-Up and Happy Canyon Courts is something that is a privilege and not everyone gets to experience. I am thankful for these opportunities as they have truly helped propel me forward in finding my life’s passions and purpose.”
Marissa Baumgartner
Tiah DeGrofft was the Pendleton Round-Up Queen in 2015. After graduating from OSU in 2002 Tiah I went to work for Peter Jacobsen Productions producing PGA Tour Events. She was relocated to New England and while there started a sports marketing company with 4 of her colleagues. After 5 years, she wanted to be closer to family, and decided to move back to Pendleton. She worked for Wildhorse Resort and Casino handling their community relations and in January accepted her current position at Graybeal Distributing and is loving the new challenge.
When thinking about what education brought her, Tiah said, “education has been everything for me. Not only has a college degree been required for the jobs I have had, the skills I learned at Oregon State truly helped prepare me for the career path I wanted to pursue. Oregon State was also incredibly supportive. Not only do they attend the Round-Up every year but they took out ads in the East Oregonian and the Oregonian celebrating the court members who attended OSU. They helped work around my schedule and no one cheered louder in the stands than President Riser (OK , maybe my mom). President Riser came to the queens barn with tears in his eyes to give me a big congratulatory hug after the Friday run-in. He also made a point to check up on me throughout the school year! I will never forget his kindness and support!”
Discussing what she learned being part of the Pendleton Roundup Court, Tiah said, “I am not sure I can even put it into words, which is really something for me! Being a communication major, the Court really helped with my public speaking and confidence. I have worked in male dominated industries, where often times, they are many years my senor. Being on the court helped me become comfortable with walking into a room and standing toe to toe with anyone, whether it be to have a conversation or negotiate a deal. It was also extremely eye opening for me to see how special of a place Pendleton is. Out of every community we visited, none of them could compare to Pendleton's support of their community and the pride they have for our event. It is truly incredible.
The world needs more people like Jordan. He has been supportive of our courts and furthering their education for the last 20 years. He saw the leadership and community service the girls were committed to and wanted to give something back! That is incredible and I speak for everyone who has ever been on the receiving end of his scholarship when I say THANK YOU! It truly does make a difference!”
Tiah DeGrott
Katie Marie Harris (Khapkhaptsonmi) was part of the 2010 Happy Canyon court, the 2012 Pendleton Round-Up Court, and was the Pendleton Woolen Mills 2013 American Indian Beauty Contest Winner.
When reflecting on what she was able to accomplish with the scholarship, Katie said, “My education got me many great volunteer opportunities, workshop experiences, collaborations, & the stepping stone to my next destination (MPH). Finishing my undergrad is the first step & foundation to new experiences and goals.
This scholarship helped with my goals because it took a huge burden off of my shoulders. The hours you spend studying or going to class could be used working a full time job, so when you get scholarships & grants like this one it really helps the student focus more on their school work and less on finding a job. Having scholarships provided to young ladies on the court is also a great incentive and reward for a year long dedication to a wonderful organization.”
Katie Marie Harris (Khapkhaptsonmi)
For more about the Pendleton Round-Up, visit its website.