May 8 is the deadline for applications for the 2026 J.O. Cravens Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship for graduating high school seniors honors the memory of J.O. Cravens. Cravens, the father of CowboySanta.com owners Johna and Dayna Cravens, who was a lifelong rodeo cowboy and retired teacher.
The scholarship is open to any high school graduate who is involved in rodeo and plans to attend college, university or trade school on a full-time basis.Â
The application process is all online and the winner will be announced on June 10. Scholarships will be judged on the following criteria – 35% on rodeo involvement, 30% on scholastic and community activities, 20% on a written essay/personal narrative and 15% on financial need.Â
Applicants must include a copy of their high school transcript, a headshot of themselves wearing a cowboy hat, a rodeo photo and a double-spaced essay/personal narrative of between 400 to 600 words expanding on their experiences, future goals and what makes them unique.
Cravens was a founding member and past president and general manager of the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA). He also spent 14 years in the classroom as a high school history teacher.
 J.O. Cravens Memorial Scholarship Winners
- 2019 – Jesse Keysar -Tennessee
- 2020 – Gracie Gambino – Texas
- 2021 – Lakyn Cunningham – Kansas (four-year college) and Brad Moreno – Arizona (two-year college)
- 2022 – Shayde Harris – Arkansas and Seth Gaikowski – South Dakota
- 2023 – Tate Talkington – Nebraska
- 2024 – Colton Matlock – Oklahoma
- 2025 – Chizm Kuykendall – Oklahoma
The J.O. Cravens Memorial Scholarship fund also periodically awards the J.O. & Mary Cravens Legacy Scholarship to an applicant for the main scholarship who embodies the rodeo legacy of J.O. & Mary Cravens. Â
 J.O. & Mary Cravens Legacy Scholarship Winners
- 2020 – Trevor Lattin – Oklahoma
- 2021 – Autry Cowley – Oklahoma
- 2022 – Odessa Smith – Oklahoma
- 2023 – Kassidy Rambat – Nebraska
- 2024 – Eden Bruesch – Oklahoma
The application is available by clicking on the red box above or here. For best results, view and fill in the form using the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader app or Adobe Acrobat DC. You can then save your replies and email the new file to us along with your supporting documents. Adobe Acrobat Reader and Acrobat DC also offer a free “fill & sign” option for adding your signature to the application. 