Introducing the inaugural class of Rural Gone Urban Foundation Scholars
The Rural Gone Urban Foundation is honored to champion hardworking, passionate, and dedicated scholars who seek to advance their lives through a traditional university setting, professional program, or trade schools through 15 $1,000 scholarships.
In 2022, in the shadow of an allegedly incurable medical diagnosis, founding board chair Brooke Taylor hoped to show her daughter there is more to success than a perfect GPA.
“While financial support is absolutely critical, we hope in addition to scholarships, Rural Gone Urban Foundation scholars feel supported. It’s wildly brave to chase your dreams and every single applicant showed us the meaning of bravery.” Brooke Taylor, board chair said. “Simply, I am so proud of our pool of scholarship applicants.”
In the inaugural year of the scholarship program, the Foundation received 358 applicants representing 28 states with applicants ranging from 17 to 53 years old.
“The scholarship committee selected scholars based on their work ethic, passions, and, well, sales pitch,” Taylor said. “We’re so proud of this inaugural class of scholarship recipients and are cheering for them feverishly.”
Kourtney Bear
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Kourtney Bear is a proud mom and alumna of Stroud High School, who is currently pursuing a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering at Oklahoma State University with a minor in religious studies. While juggling the hardships of early motherhood, Kourtney never lost sight of her original goal to further her education by continuing to take classes; she simply added a new joy to the experience. Kourtney dreams of traveling to Israel and having a career working with the armed forces.
Angela Davis
Cleveland, Tennessee
Angela is most proud of her self-discipline. She attributes her self-discipline and leadership skills to her active participation in the Air Force Junior ROTC, culminating with her promotion to Cadet Colonel, which is the highest ranking cadet. She spends most of her time and energy doing community service, after-school activities such as Drill, Raiders, Cyber Patriot, and Marksmanship, and leading the corp. She also enjoys working out and being active in her church youth group.
She has enlisted in the Navy and will attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School.
Angela Davis • Cleveland, Tennessee
Preston Deike
Marble Rock, Iowa
Born to a single military mom, Preston had a front-row seat to hard work, determination, and follow through. From there, he grew up in rural Iowa where he established deep roots with his family. He owns 11 beehives with his grandpa and is active in harvesting and marketing honey, in addition to working part time at a local farm store.
Preston loves to hunt, fish, and snowmobile when he’s not volunteering at local veteran events or his church. After high school, Preston plans to attend North American Lineman Training Center in Tennessee to earn a Linesman certification, along with a CDL. He is looking forward to specializing in a hands-on career.
To date, Preston claims his most-proud accomplishments are competing in the state trap shooting contest and finding hobbies that will continue with him throughout his life.
Preston Deike • Marble Rock, Iowa
Cianna DeLeon
Concordia, Kansas
“Though my story seems very traditional it has not always been a breeze.”
Cianna, with the support of her dad, is proving that hard work and perseverance in the face of great loss can carry you toward your dreams. After the unexpected loss of her mother, Cianna pressed forward and continues to be actively involved in the community and her high school through groups like Friends of Rachel-an anti-bullying group, serving as President of the Future Business Leaders of America, the Yearbook Editor, and she holds a job outside of school.
Cianna plans to attend Kansas State University to pursue a bachelor of science in agricultural communications with a minor in animal science. Through this field, she hopes to empower women from all walks of life to reach the goals they have set, no matter the obstacles before them.
Cianna DeLeon • Concordia, Kansas
Grace Harmon
Kenesaw, Nebraska
Grace is a current student at Nebraska Technical College of Agriculture. Since childhood, she’s loved being near and working with animals, horseback riding, and art. Grace’s greatest accomplishment to date is placing first in the Cornhusker Trap Shoot, Lady’s Handicap Division. Even with a rough start to her career, Grace continued to be an active member of her team while continuing to work and make the needed adjustments to finish with her best performance.
Grace’s drive and confidence will serve her well as she continues her studies in Animal Science to improve and maintain the health of the animals she works with.
Grace Harmon • Kenesaw, Nebraska
Jaylin Harris
Balko, Oklahoma
Big external changes promote chances for big internal growth. After changing schools half way through high school, Jaylin found herself questioning who she was in her new environment. As she grew in age, she also grew in mind and experience, becoming the determined young woman she is today.
She plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a degree in social work that will guide her dream of becoming a counselor to provide mental health care to students and help break down the stigma around counseling in rural Oklahoma.
Outside of school Jaylin volunteers with after school programs through her church and is an intern with a local physical therapy clinic.
“It has been a little oasis for me. It truly gives me a sense of purpose,” she said.
Jaylin Harris • Balko, Oklahoma
Christine Randle
Windsor, Colorado
Christine is a non-traditional, first-generation student enrolled in the radiologic technologist program at Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado.
In 2022, soon after beginning the prestigious associates program, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 33. This impossible diagnosis forced Christine to withdraw from the program to focus on saving her own life. After months of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, Christine is back in action and pursuing her dreams.
“Returning to school has been so amazing for my mental health,” Christine shared. “It forces me to return to the land of the living and to focus on the goals I still want to accomplish.”
Christine dreams of using her natural passion for helping others to become a mammography technologist.
Christine Randle • Windsor, Colorado
Brent Reeves
Gladewater, Texas
Brent just completed his sophomore year at University of Texas at Tyler studying Civil Engineering.
At only 15, Brent began mowing yards and this summer will be Brent’s fifth summer mowing yards, and although his business is still relatively small, he has increased his business from one or two yards to over a dozen. He enlisted his best friend’s help, and together they were able to offer more services and assist those who had fallen on hard times. A highlight of his years in lawn care has been serving and spending time with a local veteran.
Brent loves the outdoors, where he can be found helping with his family’s cattle, hunting, fishing, and many water sports.
After graduating from University of Texas at Tyler he hopes to gain experience and open his own Civil Engineering firm as a professional licensed engineer.
Brent Reeves • Gladewater, Texas
Carys Rives
Bryan, Texas
Music has been a common denominator in Carys Rives’s life: listening to her mom in the church choir, singing along to Selena Quintanilla around the house, learning to play instruments, and joining the choir on her own merit. Carys’ love for music drives her plans to attend West Texas A&M University to obtain a bachelor of music with a concentration in music therapy. She dreams of becoming a music therapist.
Carys, who can solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute, loves music which is showcased into her guitar and piano abilities.
Carys Rives • Bryan, Texas
Tyler Rumble
Morgantown, Indiana
Tyler is a 10-year 4-H member, Eagle Scout, FFA member, and participates in his school Unified teams. He has dreams of working for Disney as a Walt Disney Imagineer. He’s an avid volunteer who prioritizes bettering his community.
“My mom has always taught me that giving back to the community is very important,” Tyler shared. ”This is something I truly enjoy and look forward to doing in the years to come. This has impacted my life by showing me that you can get great joy out of helping others.”
He plans to attend the University of Kentucky and major in mechanical engineering.
Tyler Rumble • Morgantown, Indiana
Arianna Soliano
Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Arianna Soliano, a native of Pawhuska, Okla., is a student at the University of California Los Angeles where she is the team manager of the D1 women’s soccer team, works, and actively assists with several youth sports camps.
“My greatest accomplishment while at UCLA is winning the national championship as the UCLA women's soccer team manager,” Arianna shared. “I have been blessed with many opportunities and achievements in the first year and a half of my student involvement. Eventually, I would like to become a sports psychologist to assist athletes in overcoming obstacles in everyday life.”
Arianna plans to become a sports psychologist.
Arianna Soliano • Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Braydon Southerland
Peletier, North Carolina
Braydon is an avid fisherman whose love for the sport is rooted from his earliest memories. His passion led him to earn an Aquaculture Technology Certificate as a high school sophomore and volunteer much of his summer to work with programs through the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Following high school, he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fisheries science at Tennessee Tech University.
Eventually, Braydon hopes to earn a master’s degree and become a game warden, fish biologist, or fish farmer.
Braydon Southerland • Peletier, North Carolina
Priscilla Thomas
Bristol, Tennessee
Priscilla is a mother and grandmother who continues to prove now is the right time to follow your dreams.
“As a young adult my parents could not afford to send me to college,” Pricilla shared. “ And, it has been my dream to complete my education”
She is a student at Virginia Highlands Community College pursuing a degree in nursing and hopes to become a registered Nurse specializing in surgery. She also enjoys singing in the church choir, reading, gardening, and collecting antiques.
Priscilla Thomas • Bristol, Tennessee
Gracie Tiger
Porum, Oklahoma
Gracie, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, and plans to study radiology at the University of Oklahoma.
“I have been interested in x-ray for quite some time. At first, a simple picture of a broken wrist sparked my interest,” she said. “It was beautiful. The advanced technology that allows us to see the inside of the human body without exploratory surgery for a diagnosis amazed me.”
Gracie loves living out in the country, and is wildly active in her high school and is involved with: NHS, FCA, FCCLA, Student Council, softball, basketball, and cheer. She hopes to use her degree to serve and give back to the Muscogee Creek Nation and other native communities via medical clinics.
Gracie Tiger • Porum, Oklahoma
Ariel Wallis
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Ariel is a first-generation college student at Oklahoma State University majoring in public health.
“Although the odds are against me as a first-generation student, I have an outstanding work ethic to support myself on this journey.”
She loves to hike with her two dogs and gardening. Ariel believes in giving back to the community by volunteering with the American Red Cross and is an ambassador for the Public Health Program. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration after she completes her bachelor’s degree.
Ariel Wallis • Stillwater, Oklahoma
Rural Gone Urban Foundation, Inc. is a public not-for-profit incorporation filed in the state of Oklahoma. Founded in 2022 by Brooke Clay Taylor, the Foundation was established to “support strong women doing brave things” and doing so without an asterisk.
Our scholarship program is 100 percent fueled by corporate and individual donations.
