Donovan Galabota, Jack Hittle, Kynslie Limebrook, Michelle Ray and Shayda Valdez have each been awarded a $1,000 Chase Regester Memorial Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year.
This scholarship is designed to honor the memory of Charles L. Regester III — “Chase” — (May 29, 1986–Aug. 2, 2006) who was raised on a ranch and spent his childhood and youth involved in 4-H, rodeos and ranch life. He graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in May 2005 and was pursuing ranching as a career.
Chase loved animals, the great outdoors, his friends and family, and had a great sense of humor and a “whipping and spurring” approach to life.
This scholarship was endowed by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lindner to honor Chase and his family for living and preserving the history and traditions of the American West. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Russell Jr. added to that endowment in 2007, as did Tiger Regester in 2012.
Each student will graduate from high school next week, have superior grades, are very active in school activities, including leadership positions. Summer work and volunteering is something they each value, and saving money for their education has been a priority. Participation in 4-H, Future Farmers of American (FFA) rodeo or ranching have been a big part of their lives. Each of these scholars are tremendous role models within the 4-H program, especially to the younger 4-H members.
Galabota is at Pagosa Springs High School and participates in numerous school clubs, including student council. His three years in 4-H were in the turkey project, and he excelled at learning various aspects of raising an animal and bringing it to market. Galabota has worked year-round at Alley House Grille, throughout high school, and is headed to Colorado State University, where he will be in the business school.
Jack Hittle has a 4.0 GPA at Pagosa Springs High School, while enrolled in many Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and he is on the DUST2 mountain biking team. Hittle as been in 4-H for 10 years in various projects. Raising turkeys has garnered him Grand and Reserve Champion prizes, and Hittle has earned the Showmanship Award several times. He plans to attend Colorado School of Mines for a mechanical engineering degree and hopes to design and build new technology.
Limebrook is a volleyball athlete at Pagosa Springs High School, has been very active in other school clubs, and has a 3.9 GPA. During her 10 years in 4-H, she has participated in several projects and has earned state recognition for her veterinary sciences project. Limebrook will attend University of Utah to pursue a nursing degree and would like to work in intensive care.
Ray attends Pagosa Springs High School and participates in several clubs and sports, with volleyball being her favorite. With 11 years in 4-H, Ray has focused on livestock and has won Grand Champion Goat for three years and has earned the Showmanship Award for seven years. She will attend Amarillo College for a nursing degree and hopes to become a travel nurse and help people in various communities.
Valdez attends Pagosa Springs High School and has been in FFA for four years and is currently the president. As a 10-year member of 4-H, she participates in the horse program and is active in rodeo, gymkhana and skijoring. She will attend a Colorado community college on the eastern slope to get an associate degree in livestock management and a certificate in welding with the intention to establish a career with animals and agriculture.
This scholarship is designed to support a student pursuing postsecondary education of any variety, which can include university, college, community college, technical, business, vocational, agricultural or ranch training program. The basic requirement for any scholarship applicant is that they have participated in Rodeo, 4-H, FFA, or have agriculture or ranching background and upbringing during their high school years.
