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Nothing But Try Scholarship Article
Never give up, and never say quit. That’s what the Nothin But Try scholarship embodies. This scholarship began in 2006 to honor Shane Drury, a champion in the arena and in life. Unfortunately, cancer took Shane’s life just four months after he presented the first award, but it never took his smile. This year’s recipient is Weston Hamilton, a freshman at University of Tennessee— Martin, a young man who perfectly exemplifies the qualities that the Nothin But Try was created to recognize.
Hamilton’s story started from just after the time he was born. He was born into a loving family, but shortly after his dad became addicted to drugs and became a different person. Hamilton recalls frequent drug dealings, violence, rough people in his home, and even endured some extreme situations when his dad was under the influence. Then, when he was five years old, his dad was murdered. He felt that it was God’s hands on him keeping him safe through this time.
He then started another chapter as he went to live with his grandparents. He worked 40-60 hour weeks for his grandfather’s excavation business, where he was running heavy equipment unsupervised at a young age. His grandfather then passed away, and Hamilton was forced to move away from his grandmother, Brenda Kelley, who still to this day is one of his biggest supporters.
When Hamilton left his grandparents, he moved back home. Through this time, he grew very close to his brother Anthony. “We decided that we wouldn’t leave each other behind anymore, and we both began to work harder to make a life for ourselves and for our future families that would be different from the ones we came from.” stated Hamilton. He also became entranced with rodeo when he came back home. His dad and uncle had been bulldoggers, and he wanted to keep rodeo in the family tradition. He had heard of a rodeo coming up, so he called the stock contractor and asked if he could attempt to ride a bareback horse. He agreed to it, so that week, Hamilton rode an unflanked bronc with a bull riding glove and a floppy rigging for the full eight seconds.
That summer, he traveled with the contractor and kept getting on every chance he got. He started saving up to buy his own equipment. From a young age when the high school rodeo season came around, he wanted to give it a try, but his mom wouldn’t sign his release. So, Hamilton forged her signature and supported himself as he traveled down the high school rodeo road alone. He even made the NHSFR that year. “I have had the privilege of learning independence, self-care, personal drive, how to overcome setbacks, how to handle success, and most importantly how to be thankful for a very blessed life.” said Hamilton.
Following the national finals, he kept sustaining injuries, including a broken back and neck. He took a break from rodeo, and he decided to make the most of his academic career. He graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA, was salutatorian of his class, received national awards, and two congressional nominations to the prestigious West Point Military Academy. When this fell through, he knew that God had a greater plan for him.
He then started community college and working on a ranch in Montana. Hamilton wasn’t sure where his life was going until he received a call from a high school friend who was trying to persuade him to transfer to University of Tennessee— Martin. He called Coach Luthi, and after some conversation, he was told he had a home in Martin if he wanted it. He packed his bags and left that week. He learned so much about riding bareback horses that he never knew before. His riding changed drastically and he gained confidence. He instantly knew Martin was the right decision. “I am a proud member of the Skyhawk rodeo team, who has become the family I never got to have.” said Hamilton.
After he obtains a degree in mechanical engineering, he plans to earn a second degree in nuclear engineering. Hamilton hopes to work in either a nuclear plant and rodeo, or he will enter the Army under the Corps of Engineers as a contractor.
The Nothin But Try scholarship will allow Hamilton to pay for his entire year of rent at University of Tennessee— Martin. This will enable him to continue his education while he also works towards his rodeo goals. Hamilton truly exemplifies that the qualities and characteristics that this scholarship was built on. Through all of his struggles and trials, he trusted that the Lord would put him where he needed to be, and he kept pushing through with a smile on his face. In the words of his assistant coach, Cord Barricklow, “As cowboys, we talk about “grit” and to always “cowboy up”, but I know one cowboy that always shows “Nothin But Try”, and that is Weston Hamilton.
Danika Davis: The Inspiration
Danika Davis is taking the barrel racing arena by storm while also running an even tougher race. This courageous 10 year old cowgirl has been battling Cystic Fibrosis throughout her entire life. Born a rare “perfect ten” on the newborn scale, her parents Becky and Jerod never imagined that their 4th and final daughter would have any form of complications.
Shortly after arriving home from the hospital, in which newborn Danika was healthy and ready to be released even before her mother, Becky noticed Danika had a cough that she described as nothing that sounded like it could come from their beautiful “perfect ten” baby. However, not long after they received a call from the doctor that both parents and Danika needed to come in immediately. Danika was then diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. While the doctors talked about the rigorous treatments that would then become a ritual throughout Danika’s entire life, Becky described the moment as if they were being served their last meal and their beautiful baby was being put on death row. Cystic fibrosis is rarely missed at birth, with the exception of Danika’s case. This disease can’t be cured, and the average life expectancy is 37 years when living with this condition. Both parents must carry the gene, and even then, there is still only a one in four chance that a baby will develop it.
Throughout Danika’s younger childhood, she was typically sick 48 out of the 52 weeks, and during these times was on about 4 antibiotics to accompany the other 20 medications she stays on at all times. Danika was in the hospital so much that she took her first steps and spoke her first words there. Along with her medications, she would have other therapies during the day such as nebulizers and vibrating vests to break up the mucus in her lungs so she was able to breathe.
Not only did this extensive daily routine and spending the majority of her life impact Danika, but her parents and three older sisters lives became drastically different as well. They had always been a very active family and were always on the go. When Danika had just turned one, the family bought a horse named Bullet. Bullet became therapy and an escape from reality for all of them. At just a year old, Danika loved to ride and it became one of her favorite activities. However, the germs around a horse ranch are excessive, so there were major steps taken to help keep her healthy and riding safe for her.
Her older sisters would go to barrel races, and Danika would sit on the fence and cheer for every person good or bad. “She just loved being everybody’s cheerleader and would find something beautiful about every person there.” explained Becky. As Danika got older, she got to ride on her own and become more independent. They soon realized that the movement of the horse worked very similar to the vibrating vest as well as other treatments she used in order to break the mucus in her lungs free. Riding daily became an actual therapy for Danika, and the one she looked forward to the most.
Being able to stay healthy enough to ride is something Danika strives for everyday. She typically wakes up in the morning, does her breathing treatment, goes to school, does another breathing treatment, rides, and ends her day with a final breathing treatment. Competing in barrel races and rodeos motivates her to stay positive about her health regimen. It has also allowed her to make friends who have her same passion which adds a factor of normalcy to her life. She has set very high goals for herself, one being to make the National Finals Rodeo when she is old enough to compete professionally. Although she has eight more years until this dream can be acted upon, she plans to use those years to be prepared as she can be when the day comes.
She has a very special connection with her horse Shaggy who was involved in an extreme fire two years ago. Since, he undergoes breathing treatments and has a nebulizer just like Danika. They even like to do treatments together, and look at the experience as a way to bond, and bring them closer together to accomplish their goals and remain healthy.
No matter what Danika is going through, it is said she is always the most positive and upbeat kid. She will take the time to find the beauty and positive in everything. Becky stated, “I truly believe she was put on this Earth to slow us down and remind us of the incredible beauty all around.”
UNLV Rodeo- Senior Video Class of 2019