Throughout the land the Great Depression followed the 1929 market collapse, and it rained with all the loveliness of a plague. Many men were not working, and those who were being paid a wage somewhat less than was necessary to support a family. But the companies who paid the low wages were functioning on a day-to-day existence wondering if a “return to normalcy” would ever come to pass.

When times get severe people become desperate and desperation brings on ill feelings and improper conduct. So it was in Klamath County. A collision of philosophies and conduct was in the making. Two astute gentlemen, Mr. Thomas B. Watters, ex-brick mason, ex-farmer, insurance and real estate broker, and ex-mayor of Klamath Falls had entered into several joint ventures with a farmer-rancher of the Henley country, Mr. Lawrence A. West. West is better known as L.A. West or “Barney” West.

By late 1935, Watters and West concluded that a banquet for 4-H club and FFA youth exhibitors might go a long way toward soothing troubled waters and promoting better understanding. Merely a banquet itself would help but that could not be the whole solution. What if the upper grades of each class of fat stock exhibited would be sold at an auction? The purchasers being the business interests of the community, and the amount of the sale accruing to the youthful exhibitor for his/her college expenses or a stake to start his/her own agricultural enterprise.

Tom Watters was a member of the Klamath Falls Rotary Club and his friend L.A. West would also become a member at a later date. After all Rotary’s motto is “Service and Self” and one of its prime aims is to promote peace, harmony, and understanding among all people, both domestic and international. Tom approached the directors of the club and asked if they would sponsor the banquet and livestock sale.

By September 29, 1936 most 4-H and FFA members who were raising pigs, sheep, and beef cattle had their projects pretty much topped off with sleek animals ready for processing. All 4-H and FFA exhibitors for the “fall” fair were invited to a large banquet to be held in the dining room of the Willard Hotel. The next afternoon, Charles Wiese, a very capable auctioneer from Tulelake, California donated his time and the prize winning animals were sold to the highest bidders.

Today’s auction is a culmination of many years of support from Rotary and the insight of two men who saw a need for a community to unite. There can be no better way to honor these men, who did so much for the youth of 4-H and FFA, than to lend their names to the livestock scholarship given in conjunction with the Klamath County Fair Rotary Junior Livestock Auction.

In 1989, the Rotary Junior Livestock Scholarship was established to assist outstanding 4-H and FFA members with their post-secondary education. This scholarship was named the L.A. West/Tom Waters Scholarship and was expanded to include Dorothy Buchanan in honor of her 40 plus years of commitment and support to our 4-H and FFA programs as a leader and founding member of this scholarship until her passing in 2007.

L.A WestTom Watters

Dorothy Buchanan

Scholarship

STANDARDS OF ELIGIBILITY AND BASIS FOR SELECTION

1. Candidate must have been in 4-H and/or FFA for a minimum of 4 consecutive years of high school including senior year, with a market livestock project in a beef, sheep, swine, goat, or small animal (or combination thereof) division.

2. Candidate must apply for this scholarship in his/her senior year of high school.3. Candidate must have been a resident of Klamath County for the last 4 years. 4. Applications from Klamath County 4-H and/or FFA members will be accepted only with written

recommendations from two people other than relatives (i.e. 4-H leader, FFA advisor, teacher, pastor, etc.). It is the responsibility of the applicant to make certain these letters, in sealed envelopes, are delivered to the OSU Extension Office by May 22 by 5:00 p.m. Late applicants will be disqualified. Applicants must include all applicable project record(s) and other material related to their projects for the last 4 consecutive years of high school or equivalent, including their senior year, with the scholarship application. Both 4-H and FFA records need to be included if applicant is a member of both organizations.

5. Scholarships will be awarded annually (funds permitting and applications warranting) to 4-H and/or FFA members. Applicants for consideration must have made application to an institution of higher education (university, college, community college, vocational school, technical apprenticeship).

6. Upon receipt of applications, the committee will select outstanding applicants for a personal interview. All applicants will be notified by mail if they have qualified for a personal interview and project visitation with the date and time of their interview.

7. Interviews will be held three weeks prior to the Fair. An impromptu oral presentation will be given by all interviewees on the same day. Interviewees are required to have a two paragraph bio and a recent high resolution photo available at the interview for publicity purposes.

8. Announcement of award recipients shall be made by the Scholarship Committee at the Rotary Junior Livestock Auction.

9. The amount to be awarded will be determined by the L.A. West/Tom Watters/Dorothy Buchanan Scholarship Committee. The decision of the committee is final. The total amount awarded will not exceed 50% of the amount on deposit in the scholarship fund. A scholarship recipient may defer in writing their original scholarship award for up to four years if they have commitments after high school such as military service, national officer obligations, church obligations, etc.

10. Students in good standing, and a G.P.A. of 2.5 or better at a post-secondary institution, may apply each year to renew their scholarship. Renewed scholarship amount will be determined by the scholarship committee. Renewed scholarship applications will be accepted if the applicant misses a year of application. Contact the OSU KBREC office, 541-883-7131, for more information.

11. Payment of the scholarship award will be made directly to the financial aid office upon verification of enrollment. Verification must be received within 18 months of scholarship award date or money will revert to the scholarship fund, unless prior deferral was approved.

12. Selection of award recipients shall be on the basis of: Scholastic record (G.P.A. as of first semester of senior year.) Attach an official high school transcript through 7th semester. Also attach any

official college transcripts if applicable. Rigor of Curriculum (transcripts will be used to assess this.) Participation in 4-H and high school activities Other activities or leadership Interview, oral presentation and record completeness

Future intent Agricultural project enterprise (based on project visitation

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APPLICANT CHECKLIST

Make sure your application includes the following:

____ L.A. West/Tom Watters/Dorothy Buchanan Rotary Livestock Scholarship Application filled out completely.

____ Two letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes.

____ Official sealed high school and college (if applicable) transcripts.

____ 4-H/FFA record books for the past four consecutive years, including senior year.

No late entries will be accepted.All of the above must be at the OSU Extension office by May 22 nd by 5:00 p.m.

I have read and hereby accept the STANDARDS FOR ELIGIBILITY AND BASIS FOR SELECTION for the L.A. West/Tom Watters/Dorothy Buchanan Scholarship and agree to accept the decision of the judges as final. I further understand that it is my responsibility to insure that all the items listed under APPLICANT CHECKLIST are delivered directly to the OSU Extension Service Office by May 22, 2017 by 5:00 p.m.

(Signature of Applicant) (Date)

STUDENT’S APPLICATION MUST BE TYPED(this application is online at oregonstate.edu/dept/kbrec)

Name________________________________________________________________(Last) (First) (Middle)

Home Address__________________________________________________________ (Number and Street)

City___________________________ State_________________ Zip__________

Telephone #____________________ E-mail _______________________________

College/University you are planning to attend: ____________________________

College/University ID#: (if available)

____________________________

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Please list your 4-H/FFA Leadership Activities Year

Describe activity, your level of responsibility & any award and/or recognitions

High School Activities YearDescribe activity, your level of responsibility & any award and/or recognitions

Community Activities YearDescribe activity, your level of responsibility & any award and/or recognitions

4-H/FFA Projects Year Describe the size and scope of the project