About the Scholarship
The Big Sky State Games has teamed up with the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition and Kenco Security and Technology to recognize the importance of sportsmanship and character in Montana student athletes. CHARACTER COUNTS! is a nonprofit organization striving to improve the character of today’s youth. It is based on common ethical values that transcend political, religious, socio-economic, and cultural differences. Called the “Six Pillars of Character,” these values are: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Character Counts! Scholarship is sponsored by Kenco Security and Technology.
Over the past eleven years, the Big Sky State Games has awarded the Character Counts! Scholarship to outstanding Montana female and male student-citizen-athletes involved in the Big Sky State Games. The scholarship can be used for any secondary education after high school. This includes trade schools and community colleges.
Only high school juniors during the 2016-2017 school year are eligible for this scholarship. This is to ensure that fellow students can observe the scholarship winners during their senior year and to recognize the traits the students show. You can download the application or complete an online application below. It will also be available at all Montana High Schools Guidance Counselor offices.
Download 2017 Scholarship Form
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About the 2017 Winners
The Big Sky State Games has selected Maysen Whitney of Billings Senior High School, Skyler Robinson of Baker High School, Madison Gilsdorf of Billings Senior High School, and Makenzy Gilsdorf of Billings Senior High School as the recipients of the 2017 Big Sky State Games Character Counts! Scholarship. The $500 scholarship winners will be recognized at the 32nd Annual Big Sky State Games Opening Ceremonies event Friday, July 14. The winners were chosen based on their character, community involvement, and participation in sports. By embracing CHARACTER COUNTS! the Big Sky State Games has taken a proactive approach to building character through athletics.
Maysen Whitney
Maysen Whitney has competed in the Big Sky State Games for three years in soccer. Whitney has been a varsity athlete since her freshman year. Whitney's honors include: Academic All State from 2014-2017, Rookie of the Year in soccer, Sophomore of the Year in track, and Billings Senior High Outstanding Participation in Soccer in 2015. She is a 9-time All State track and field athlete. Whitney's volunteer work has included World Water Day, ColorFun Run, Super Hero Run, and Thunder Ridge Kennels. She routinely works with younger athletes to help them achieve their goals.
Madison Gilsdorf
Madison Gilsdorf has participated in Big Sky State Games Track and Field for eight years. She is a member of the Key Club, Stem Club, Senior Advocates, and Church Youth Group. Madison participates in high school soccer, cheerleading, and track and field. She has earned Academic All-State multiple times and is a recipient of the YMCA Principals Youth Leadership Award. Madison was chosen twice to represent Montana at the Hershey Track and Field North American Finals in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She has also been an active member of the Billings Gymnastics School for 11 years, competing as a level 8 gymnast.
Makenzy Gilsdorf
Makenzy Gilsdorf has participated in the Big Sky State Games for 3 years in Tennis and 1 year in Track and Field. She is involved in a variety of service projects and student clubs including: Key Club, Spanish Club, STEM Society, Senior Advocates, The Platinum Project, Educational Talent Search, and Tennis. Some of her most notable accomplishments have been in Key Club as President and in academics. Makenzy earned Academic All State for Tennis and she competed at AA State Tennis. She is a member of the Billings Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership and Team Black at the Billings Elks Center. As a high school student, Makenzy has earned a 4.0 (4.4 weighted) grade point average and is ranked number one in her class of 422.
Skyler Robinson
Skyler Robinson has participated in Big Sky State Games Track and Field for nine years and four years in Swimming. Robinson has been on the honor roll since the fall of 2013. She is involved in track and field and volleyball at Baker High School. Robinson has been a Student Council Representative, Student Council District 6 President, Student Union Representative, and the Student Union Treasurer. She is a representative for Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), a Close Up member, and volunteers for numerous community and high school programs
Previous Winners
| Year | Name | City |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Cory Kistler | Huntley Project |
| Mick Mattie | Billings | |
| Kelsey Kraft | Laurel | |
| Hailey Poole | Colstrip | |
| 2015 | Spencer Drange | Laurel |
| Jacob Michels | Shepherd | |
| Hannah Amtmann | Butte | |
| Abbigail Lohof | Laurel | |
| 2014 | Madison McLaughlin | Helena |
| Solenn Jacobsen | Baker | |
| Wylie Leo | Ennis | |
| Michael Buster | Laurel | |
| 2013 | Mikaela Robinson | Billings |
| Sara Heard | Billings | |
| James Riley | Broadus | |
| Logan Laird | Billings | |
| 2012 | Ashton McLaughlin | Helena |
| Martha Dembek | Winnett | |
| Michael Schwehr | Lavina | |
| Nick Staffileno | Billings | |
| 2011 | Alain Jacobsen | Baker |
| Zach Holmes | Billings | |
| Brianna Jo Robinson | Billings | |
| Emily Grace Walker | Huntley | |
| 2010 | Lindsey Fleming | Billings |
| Taylor Kufeld | Billings | |
| Ryan Hensleigh | Colstrip | |
| Anthony Bengochea | Nashua | |
| 2009 | Ashley Crowe | Billings |
| Kacie Chatwood | Billings | |
| Thomas Bonogofsky | Belfry | |
| Thomas Staffileno | Billings | |
| 2008 | Cord Blanchard | Great Falls |
| Emily Carroll | Billings | |
| Kylie Medicine Horse | Pryor | |
| Tim Kienitz | Billings | |
| 2007 | Auriele Fain | Billings |
| Casey Rogers | Billings | |
| Stephanie Stremcha | Havre | |
| Rick Haluszka | Harlem | |
| 2006 | Bridgett Hoenke | Billings |
| Leo Davis | Billings | |
| 2005 | Ashley Grammens | Lavina |
| Chad McMillan | Billings | |
| 2004 | Alexa McLaughlin | Helena |
| Josh Hedge | Billings | |
| 2003 | Allison Peterson | Sidney |
| Chris Blanchard | Great Falls | |
| 2002 | Sara Patterson | Great Falls |
| Patrick Riley | Bozeman | |
| 2001 | Hannah Warfield | Sydney |
| Shane Hensleigh | Colstrip | |
| 2000 | Jenny Doely | Billings |
| Jeff Graham | Chester |