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2022-23 Chancellor’s Leadership Scholars Announced

May 31, 2022

The Chancellor’s Leadership Scholars Award is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship awarded to exceptional students residing in the state of Montana who will be attending the University of Montana Western in the fall.

2022-23 UMW Chancellor’s Leadership Scholars.

Montana Western is proud to announce the six following high school seniors as the 2022-23 award recipients:

Jenna Anderson

Born in Billings, Anderson grew up in Sidney after her family moved when she was a young child. Anderson attributes her character to growing up in a friendly rural community. She lettered all four years of high school in both volleyball and basketball for the Lady Eagles and was captain of both teams. She is a volunteer basketball coach during the off-season for the Little Eagles program as well as an assistant coach at a nearby country elementary school and is active in numerous school clubs. UMW’s block schedule and Experience One program was exciting to her and she plans to pursue a degree in Kinesiology.

“I want to pursue a career in health and human performance and stay active while helping others do the same,” Anderson said. 

Bridgett Ellis

Barely five years into her life, Ellis was competing and winning at rodeos right alongside her mother. Ellis was raised around many different kinds of animals, including a water buffalo, zebra and coatimundi. Growing up, she enjoyed helping to take care of the animals and playing “vet” and had the goal of someday becoming a veterinarian.

“The experiences throughout my life have shown me the importance of hard work and the benefits of striving to go above and beyond what is expected of me, not only in the arena but in all other aspects of my life. Every failure and every fall has taught me the value of dedication to my dreams,” Ellis said.

Josiah Hull

Graduating this spring with honors from Dawson County High School in Glendive, Hull enjoys music, art and sports and has been involved in several honor choirs, an advanced art program, and played both varsity football and Legion baseball. 

“I am excited to continue my educational journey at Montana Western because I love learning new things about the world and sharing that knowledge with others. By doing so, I believe I can make the world a better place,” Hull said.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, he plans to pursue a career in teaching. 

Kennadie McMahon

McMahon was born and raised in Butte. While attending Butte High School, she was a four-year varsity starter in volleyball as a right-side hitter. In her athletic career, she received Academic All-State honors each year and an All-Conference Honorable Mention to wrap up her senior year. She has also made appearances in the high jump and javelin during track season.

A member of both the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society during high school, she also loves to go camping, fishing, hunting and hiking. While attending the University of Montana Western, Kennadie intends to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology to pursue her dream career as a counseling psychologist.

Gabryele Veltkamp

Veltkamp grew up outside of Three Forks and attended school there since the first grade. “My friends and family play a huge role in my life and I enjoy camping, fishing and hunting with them,” she said.

Her family’s agricultural background is one of the main reasons she wants to become a livestock veterinarian and is very excited to begin her educational journey at Montana Western. 

Ryan Yeske

Yeske will be graduating from Capital High School in Helena this spring and is the class Valedictorian with a current class ranking of 1 out of 283 students. During high school, Yeske played Bruin football and was a member of the CHS Cheer and Stunt Team. He received varsity letters and Academic All-State Awards in every sport he participated in and was chosen as the 2021-22 Team Captain for the Cheer and Stunt Team. Yeske also played rugby on the Helena Hooligans team for three years.

Yeske is a peer mentor for students with disabilities and is a member of the National Honor Society. Yeske was selected to attend the 2021 FBI Salt Lake City Teen Symposium. He plans to attend Montana Western in the fall and will be studying business and accounting and hopes to be a Forensic Accountant with the FBI after he graduates.

“Congratulations to the recipients of this scholarship that recognizes leadership, community service, and academic excellence. We look forward to seeing you on campus at Montana Western this fall,” said UMW Chancellor Michael Reid.

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