Dude Ranch Foundation and Durango® Boots Announce 2025 Cowgirl Scholarship Winner
In celebration of the enduring legacy of the American cowgirl, the Dude Ranch Foundation is proud to partner with Durango® Boots to present a $30,000 scholarship aimed at supporting young women pursuing degrees in the Western industry. This prestigious scholarship is announced annually on September 15th in honor of the National Day of the Cowgirl. Today, we are thrilled to announce Laurel Cox as the 2025 scholarship recipient.
Applications for the 2026 scholarship will open from September 15 through December 31, 2025. For more details or to apply, visit nationaldayofthecowgirl.com.
Laurel Cox accepts her $30,000 Scholarship check from Durango® Boots.
Laurel Cox: Sharing the Stories of the Western Industry
Hailing from Bell Buckle, Tennessee, Laurel Cox is an undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she studies animal science and journalism. Through her focus on agricultural journalism and broadcasting, Laurel is passionate about sharing the stories of the Western industry with the world—advocating for its values and inspiring the next generation of cowgirls.
“There are so many passionate people with powerful stories that need to be shared,” said Cox. “I want to be the connection between people within the Western industry and the rest of the world. My goal is to tell the full stories of people’s lives and encourage cowgirls everywhere to chase their dreams.”
Empowering the Next Generation of Cowgirls
The National Day of the Cowgirl scholarship is awarded to one outstanding female student in her first year of college, committed to furthering the Western way of life. The $30,000 award is distributed over three years of continued education, supporting students in fields such as agriculture, equine science, ranching, or Western sports.
“It means so much to me as a cowgirl who is finding my place in this industry to know that others believe in me,” Cox shared. “I am so grateful to Durango for creating the National Day of the Cowgirl holiday and its scholarship to help me pursue my educational goals. I am honored to add my name to a hopefully long list of cowgirls who will continue to change the world.”
“Laurel embodies the strong values of faith, hard work, and community that are at the heart of the Western industry,” said Erin DeLong, marketing manager at Durango® Boots. “We are thrilled to be part of her journey and support her future as a cowgirl.”
About the Dude Ranch Foundation
The Dude Ranch Foundation preserves the heritage and advances the future of America’s dude ranching industry by funding scholarships for higher education, conducting horse safety programs, stewarding a free Western Museum, and protecting millions of acres of historic ranchlands. The Dude Ranch Foundation is a duly incorporated nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Service code 501(c)(3).
About Durango®
Founded in 1966, Durango® Boots manufactures and markets quality-crafted western and fashion footwear for men, women, and children. It is a division of Rocky Brands™, a publicly traded company on NASDAQ® under the symbol RCKY. For more information, visit www.durangoboots.com.
Media Contact: Emily Snayd, HFS Communications, emily@hfscommunications.com