Honoring the Next Generation: Laurel Cox Awarded the 2025 National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship

Durango® Boots, in partnership with the Dude Ranch Foundation, is proud to announce Laurel Cox as the recipient of our second annual National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship — a $30,000 annual scholarship designed to support and celebrate the next generation of cowgirls who are blazing their own trail in the Western industry.

Raised in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, Laurel is currently pursuing degrees in Animal Science and Journalism at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Through her focus in agricultural journalism and broadcasting, Laurel hopes to break barriers, spotlight unsung heroes of the West, and continue carrying the cowgirl spirit into new frontiers.

“There are so many passionate people with powerful stories that need to be shared. 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.” 

ABOUT THE NATIONAL DAY OF THE COWGIRL SCHOLARSHIP

The National Day of the Cowgirl scholarship, presented by Durango® Boots, will be awarded in the amount of $30,000 distributed over three years of continued education. Each year, the scholarship will be awarded to one undergraduate female student currently in their first year of college who aspires to contribute to the western way of life through the passionate pursuit of a career within the western, agriculture, farm and ranch, equine, or western sports industries.

"It means so much to me as a cowgirl who is finding my place in this industry to know that others believe in me. 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."

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

We’re incredibly thankful for this year’s partners. Together, we’re proud to champion cowgirls like Laurel who are carrying the Western tradition forward.

NOW'S YOUR CHANCE: 2026 APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON

Are you a first-year college student with a passion for the Western way of life? Applications for the next National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship open on September 15, 2025. Visit nationaldayofthecowgirl.com to learn more.

•    Applications open September 15, 2025
•    Deadline to apply is December 31, 2025