BY ADRIENNE WIX
MEEKER | In last week’s p aper we highlighted the history, culture and current happenings of the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials. Again, this year from Sept. 6-10, coordinators and volunteers will be busy ensuring the trials run without a hitch. While the trials may only last five days, the work and preparation surrounding this, and other local events the Meeker Classic supports, create a year-long agenda for many members of our community.
The Classic hosts a world class art and photography competition and show, provides a free educational day to 500-plus students from across Northwest Colorado, and not only brings 10,000 people into town with lodging amenities being booked out a full year in advance but webcasts the final three days of the trials to 9,000 viewers from around the world. That takes a lot of preparation. Luckily, the Classic has a strong following of regular volunteers who return year after year. And by becoming such a strong community happening, the Classic has grown into one of the cornerstones of opportunity within Meeker, encouraging volunteerism in order to enhance overall community wellbeing. As a 501C3 non-profit organization, the Meeker Classic is able to support and sometimes donate to events, fundraisers and groups like the local Fair’s Sheep Lead; youth groups including FFA, 4-H, eighth-grade Washington, D.C., trip and Meeker High School football, basketball, golf and cross country, FCCLA, Belize trip; civic groups including the Lions Club, Historical Society, Wool Growers, the VFW and American Legion (to name a few).
In 2009, the Meeker Classic began awarding the Meeker Classic Memorial Scholarship. A scholarship “…dedicated in honor and memory of exemplary individuals that have been involved with the Meeker Classic, but have now passed away.” Applicants must be a Meeker High School graduate in the second year of their studies whether that be at a two-year trade school, two-year associate college program, or four-year college or university program. The scholarship is awarded to applicants with ample community involvement and volunteer activities and the scholarship is awarded in the following year of the dedication. The 2022 Meeker Classic Memorial Scholarship in Honor of Bryce Purkey recipients are Sarah Kracht, Nathan Miller and Ridge Williams. They will each be awarded $500 this year.
Sarah Kracht is enrolled in the elementary and early childhood education program at Western Wyoming Community College. In her application Kracht highlighted the many volunteer positions she has taken part in throughout her life with her family, but also during her first year in college with her basketball team. And when I say “highlighted” I mean raved. Her feelings towards the way volunteering can help unite a community and encourage growth, even when it is as simple as helping an older couple move, or picking up trash were humbling.
Nathan Miller is enrolled in the zoology program at Oregon State University E-campus. In his application for this scholarship he spoke of how he looked forward to his second year of study as it promised a full schedule of biology courses. Through Miller’s past volunteer work in Meeker, including at the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials and The Vet Clinic, the sense of community and helping animals was greatly instilled in the work he hopes to do in the future.
Ridge Williams is enrolled in the exercise science and pre-med program at Brigham Young University. Williams spoke eloquently about the joy being service-oriented can instill in a person. One of his favorite volunteer positions is at the Salt Lake Women’s Center where one full-time worker is aided by numerous volunteers like himself in order to successfully feed more than 200 homeless and less fortunate women. On the subject of what special memories Williams had of volunteering for the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trails he had this to say: “…I was helping direct parking. Initially I was content doing my job and being done, but I got to meet new and interesting people from all over the world that made my time entertaining. That experience helped me to realize that any opportunity to serve is an opportunity to learn and should be appreciated.”
If you see any of these students around feel free to thank them for the time they have given their community, maybe they’ll inspire the volunteer in you too! For more information on volunteer opportunities visit https://meekersheepdog.com/volunteer-with-us/
The 2023 Meeker Classic Memorial Scholarship will be in honor of Ellen Nieslanik, to donate to this fund please visit meekersheepdog.com/ and follow the “donations” link on the front page.
