The Youth Activities Scholarship successfully reached its endowment goal of $100,000 directly after the 2023 AQHA Convention. In 2020, the AQHA Youth Activities Committee set a goal to endow the scholarship to perpetually award youth. Thanks to the generosity of Joe and Suzy Jeane and a generous match by Larry and Ellen Bell, the future of educational opportunities for youth and the memory of their loved ones are secure.
Joe and Suzy Jeane worked in raising funds to endow a scholarship in memory and name of their late son, T. Joe Jeane. A long-time member of the Youth Activities Committee, Suzy saw an opportunity to support youth by redirecting the funds raised in T. Joe’s memory to support the Youth Activities Scholarship.
“T. Joe was an avid and talented horseman, and our family has been honored to participate in every aspect of the AQHYA World Championship show,” Suzy said. “We know the decision to assist in endowing the AQHA Youth Activities Scholarship would have been his top priority, as this show and the friends he made and looked forward to seeing, was the highlight of his year during his time in AQHYA.”
Larry and Ellen Bell matched the Jeanes’ contribution with gracious and open hearts in the memory of their late daughter, Amy Bell. Amy was also an avid horseman and AQHYA competitor, and she made youth a priority in her life long after she reached adulthood. Bound together by friendship and shared experience, this mutual decision ensures that young people following in the footprints of T. Joe and Amy are recognized and rewarded for their passion and engagement with the American Quarter Horse.
A special tribute to T. Joe will take place during the Parade of Teams at the 2023 AQHYA World Championship Show. More information will follow.
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