Buck Up Scholarship: The Story of Why Not?

A little over a year ago....one of my friends reminded me about an IDEA that I had earlier that year. The original idea was to create a way to supply business grants to small businesses and entrepreneurs that were able to Buck Up and take those first steps in starting their business.....BECAUSE THOSE ARE SCARY STEPS. 

After doing a little research, we found out quick that there is quite a bit involved in a cause like that & we didn't have the experience working it, to pull that off in the timeline we had.

So....we put our heads together and thought of a way that we could achieve the same sort of mission, but on a more do-able level.......THUS the Buck Up Scholarship Fund was created. 

The mission is to have others SHARE their stories of what it took for them to BUCK UP & DO whatever it was that they felt led to do. I can speak from experience and tell you that I WOULD NOT BE DOING WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW IF A STRING OF PEOPLE WOULD NOT HAVE ENCOURAGED ME ALONG THE WAY. 

ENCOURAGEMENT is SO important, because....... When a person does something diFfeRent there are A LOT more nay-sayers out there than encouragers. And if you disagree with that....you may be able to agree that the nay-sayers are who we hear. 

Last year was the first year for The Buck Up Scholarship Fund & I can't tell you how many people asked me WHY we were doing it! It was SO frustrating to me, because all I could think of is: WHY NOT?!

When I first started working my auction business FULL-TIME the two needs that were the MOST apparent to me getting started was ENCOURAGEMENT & FUNDS. Well....it just so happens that Buck Up Auctions knows how to ENCOURAGE PEOPLE to raISE funds. Taking all that into consideration: WHY NOT invite people to share their stories of how they overcame fear, rejection, confusion, a difficult situation? WHY NOT bring our friends, family, & supporters together to support others? WHY NOT?! How can we expect people to ENCOURAGE & SUPPORT us, if we can't do that for others. 

I sat here earlier this week a little upset with myself that I didn't focus MORE time on this event, but not exactly knowing how I would've. Our business is growing. Our team is growing & we've been able to help more causes and individuals this year than any other. That's what we want. Just as our business is growing....this cause will grOW....just like the Good Lord needs it. More people will SUPPORT it, more people will know about it, more students will benefit from it, and more people will be encouraged by it. 

We literally got the event last year together in a matter of weeks & the fund was able to supply 3 scholarships to 3 of the 93 APPLICANTS! CLICK HERE to read more about this year's recipients & HERE to read their BUCK UP ESSAYS, and HERE for general information about the scholarship.

Catherine Winkles $1000 & Phillip Ho $500
Brenham ISD

Tyler Copeland $500
Round Top - Carmine ISD

The scholarship committee comprised of 4 individuals chose the winning essays. The Buck Up Auction Crew went through and numbered and blacked out any information that would give away who the applicant was and where they were from. After the recipients were selected The Buck Up Auction Crew read EVERY ESSAY & responded back to the applicant with words of encouragement. 

In that....we realized that some of these individuals were probably never asked to share a story of a time when they had to BUCK UP, step outside their comfort zone, and think about how that changed themselves and people around them. It was GOOSE BUMP CITY! There were some POWERFUL essays. One of the members of the scholarship committee told me they would have liked to award more! With time....with time!

This became much BIGGER than the idea! We are accepting auction items to auction off on Saturday to raise money for the 2016 Scholarship Fund. I'm aware that there is A LOT going on on Saturday. If you'd like to support the fund & can't make it give us a call at 979.421.0325 or shoot us an email at hdskaspar.buckup@gmail.com to make bidding/donation arrangements. We plan to have a LIVE & silent auction & if attendance & donations allow, we will also have a heads or tails raffle. The Tip Jar Gypsies will be playing right after the fundRAISING stops. You'll get a chance to hear from this year's applicants as well!! Instead of a bounce house The Buck Up Kids will be holding a school supply drive that we will donate the items to area schools. We are also working to make this organization a 501(c)3. We are interviewing individuals that have an interest in this cause for the board & also have one more spot open in the Scholarship Committee for 2016. We will have a ballot box at the event where you can drop off nominations. Please leave contact information. 

This scholarship is open to anyone living in LaGrange, Brenham, Giddings and anywhere in between there and Carmine. If you are a high school student & are in one of the following school districts: Brenham, LaGrange, Giddings, RTC, Fayetteville, Burton, it is also open to you. There is no age limit. As long as you are pursuing higher education you can apply. Higher Education is: Jr. College, College, University, Licensing school (welding, real estate, auctioneer, etc.), Clergy etc. 

Please go to the website & read the essays of this year's recipients & if you applied and were not awarded a scholarship this year...APPLY AGAIN!!

ALL funds from this FUNDRAISER goes straight into the scholarship fund!

H.Kaspar TXL 17037

Buck Up Scholarship.....The POWER in SHARING some of your most difficult moments....

The Buck Up Scholarship Committee has determined the recipients of this years scholarships. There was $2000 worth of scholarships available. There was a total of 93 applicants.

There are a few IMPORTANT things I want to SHARE with you, regarding what this process/cause/idea has taught me...

1) We have 93 leaders in our community that have EXHIBITED the COURAGE & STRENGTH to BUCK UP when they are called to. They are also WILLING to SHARE their story for the betterment of others. Let that fact alone allow ENCOURAGEMENT to soak into your bones.

2) The committee, myself, & anyone who reads some of these essays (from recipients & non-recipients) will FOREVER be changed....in a good way.

3) The IDEA of what this scholarship could help provide could have NEVER encompassed what it ACTUALLY provides....that is worth WAY more than the money. The money just makes their walk a little easier. Sometimes LIFE CAN BE HARD & the way we handle it is what develops our character. I was humbled to help provide a SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT....to CreAte and avenue where people can POSITIVELY affect others....to see in black and white, the burdens that people have had to bear....which no one else may have ever known about...if they weren't asked.

Over the next few weeks we will SHARE their essays with all of you.

I want to also share....that last year's kick-off event ALMOST didn't happen & because of the ENCOURAGEMENT & HELP of a friend we just BUCKED UP &  made it happen.

$1000 Scholarship Recipient:
Katherine Winkles
Brenham ISD

Katherine came to the aid, in a MIGHTY big way, to two fellow teens & has developed a "passion to prevent the physical self harm that takes place among teens." She continued to fight for the safety of her one friend and says: "I could have backed down, but I didn't and because of that someone who is a dear friend now has a safe home.... I learned that if the cause matters to you, then backing down is never and option."

$500 Scholarship Recipient:
Tyler Copeland
Round Top - Carmine ISD

Tyler has made the decision, through the experience of his Mother's illness & passing, to give back to the community & the departments that helped his mother & family during the trying times of his Mother's illness. He has taken the first steps in that decision by volunteering with the Carmine Volunteer Fire Department. His words: "I want to help and give back to others like they helped Mom."

$500 Scholarship Recipient:
Phillip Ho
Brenham ISD

Phillip moved to the United States from Vietnam when he was 8. The only English words he knew were "yes" & "no." He made a conscious decision his Sophomore year of high school to focus on his future  & appreciate the sacrifices his parents made by coming here. His Words: "I am trying to make their sacrifices my accomplishments, and by doing so give back to America and my community, what they have graciously given to me." He will be the first in his family to attend college.

I want to ENCOURAGE all the applicants that will not receive a scholarship THIS year, to APPLY AGAIN! There is no age limit on this scholarship. If you have a financial NEED for education & a WILLINGNESS to share your story - this scholarship is available to you.

BUCK UP BABY! Go ENCOURAGE someone today! It could make all the difference in their lives!

BUCK UP!! Scholarship

SOOOO....if you haven't heard yet...The BUCK UP SCHOLARSHIP FUND will award $2000 in scholarships THIS April!!!

I feel SO blessed to be able to foster THIS. 

The vision began with my journey into entrepreneurship. The whole...giving up money & being BROKE for a while, while I grOW my business journey. Boy did my PRIDE get in my way, for a loooooong time. I felt the strugGLE of NEEDING money to get you to the next step & having to ask someone for it...which is something I also took PRIDE in not having to do. So once I DIED to myself in that aspect & moved on with my journey I realized the NEED to CrEaTe a way to HELP others in that regard. I mean...it was a BIG hurdle for me. Totally slowed me down...until I worked through it...

The way I see it....God doesn't put things on your heart and visions in your head - if he's not going to equip you with the tools & people to get you there. It took me a minute to REALLY believe that though. The more you relinquish control over certain aspects of your life, the more you become aware of your fear of the unknown. Everybody has it. I can tell you though...that the REAL journey starts when you Buck Up Baby & turn it loose to God. 

This brought me back to my Senior year in High School... If Ms. Janda was still with us - she could testify to the number of hours I spent at the typewriter in the school library...filling out applications. I talked to someone else who is on a scholarship committee for another organization & they told me the number of applicants go down each year. I think a total of 2 had applied this past year. BUCK UP BABY & GET TO FILLING THOSE OUT. There's people out there that wanna HELP YOU! They just have to know about you. 

My DEEP ROOTED HOPE for this scholarship is that we can make a difference in SOMEONE's life & be a source of ENCOURAGEMENT, FINANCIAL SUPPORT, & GUIDANCE to someone that is mustering up the COURAGE to pursue a dream. This scholarship is open to adults advancing their education also....because....it's just okay to change your mind or add more tools to your tool bag. I want people to SHARE their story too, because that is what ENCOURAGES others...to know that someone else can IDENTIFY with their journey in one way or another. 

I had a BA Degree & a professional career that I was good at, but sometimes your SPIRIT is calling you to MORE.

We are in the process of getting the details together for the NEXT event, so be prepared & ON THE LOOK OUT FOR MORE INFO!! We'll be updating our website regularly, so BOOKMARK it!: BUCK UP AUCTIONS WEBSITE 

So you might wanna know WHO can apply for the scholarship(s) & WHAT it will take to get it & WHEN it will be awarded so.....HERE'S THE DETAILS: (ALL the participating High Schools should have this information also: RTC, Burton, Fayetteville, LaGrange, Brenham, Giddings)

Applicant must be pursuing higher education in any of the following: College, University, Jr. College, Trade School, Licensing School, or Clergy-related education. This scholarship will be open to anyone within the 30-mile radius seeking higher education, which includes the cities & school districts of: Brenham, Giddings, LaGrange, and everything in between (Round Top-Carmine, Fayetteville, & Burton). Proof of residency will need to be provided along with scholarship essay.

Scholarship Monies will be paid directly to the school of choice. The winners will have 6 months to enroll in their choice of higher education.

Applicant must be a graduating high school senior or older. This could be a returning student, adult going back to school or pursuing some sort of license, or a graduating high-school student.

The applicants that are awarded the scholarships MUST be willing to share their essays to the general public in any form that the Scholarship Committee deems as a positive way to share the purpose of this scholarship.

Must also be willing to come to the following year’s event & share the progress of your journey & how the scholarship has helped you.

The scholarship committee is comprised of 5 members from the community with backgrounds in education, leadership, civic organizations & development, & business owners.

If a family member of a committee member chooses to apply for the scholarship, that committee member will step down from the committee & the Buck Up Auctions staff will nominate 3 people for the vacant committee chair. The existing committee will than vote in 1 of the 3 nominees to be appointed as committee member.

As the applications come in, the Buck Up Auction staff members, will number the applicants, so the committee is not aware of the actual person applying, until the winner(s) are selected.

This year $2,000.00 of scholarship will be awarded. The number of scholarships awarded and the amounts will be determined by the committee.

Deadline to submit essay is April 2^nd. Scholarship recipient(s) will be chosen & announced on or before April 30^th.  

Mail information to:

Buck Up Auctions

Scholarship Committee

390 Vogel Lane

Carmine, TX 78932

INFORMATION SHEET

buck up

 verb

:  to become encouraged :  brace up

–Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Buck Up: To rise to a challenge, to do something others are unable to – urban dictionary

Applicant Name:

Address:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

Agree to share your Buck Up Story?

Why are you applying for this scholarship?

Where will you use this scholarship, if awarded?

Please list all organizations & extracurricular activities you are involved in.

Please choose ONE of the essay topics, on the next page, to write about.

Essay Topics:

Please write an essay over ONE of the two essay topics below: (Please keep to 2 pages or less)

1)      Give us an example of an experience where you have had to "BUCK UP" and do something that pushed you out of your comfort zone & how that made an impact on your life & possibly others.

2) Tell us about an area/idea/dream that you have either:  not mustered up the courage for, are currently in the process of, or feel as if you missed out on the opportunity to “Buck Up.”  

New Year-New Plan

So 2014 was a GREAT year for Buck Up Auctions. It was our first FULL year in business, with me working FULL-time at it. I have referred to this first year as a test market. We've done several fundraising auctions, several consignment auctions, & several estate auctions. We have learned some things that work, some things that don't work, that there is a lot we want to learn, and that we are BETTER than what we give ourselves credit for. We've seen, faced, & dealt with ALL kinds of critics. We've raised money for our SCHOLARSHIP program & will be able to give out $2000 of scholarship $$$$!!! As I sit here gazing at the business model me & my friend Christie worked on at the beginning of last year - I am ENCOURAGED to see that We've:

• Built NEW relationships, with KEY people that can help grow the business.
• ACCOMPLISHED some of the KEY activities we set out for ourselves at the beginning of last year.
• Correctly identified our VALUE propositions, which hold true & we have some to ADD.
• UTILIZED many of the marketing channels we identified and know what works and what doesn't. 
• FOLLOWED-THRU on some VERY Out-of-THE-Box marketing strategies & they had a POSITIVE impact on the business.
• IDENTIFIED the NEED to DEEPEN our customer relationships.
• Become AWARE....REALLY AWARE of our VALUE to organizations, causes, and individuals & walk more CONFIDENTLY & FIRMLY in our PURPOSE & PLAN. 
• Now have ACTUAL models to help us determine a more accurate cost structure for the different auctions we conduct. 
• Identified other POTENTIAL revenue streams that we hadn't previously thought of. 
• AND...that we are still here, with MORE team members, & EAGER for what 2015 has to offer.

Tomorrow the Buck Up Auctions TEAM will get together to BRAINSTORM the 2015 PLAN & forge FORWARD. I can PROMISE that it will include EDUCATION, more OFFERINGS, MORE IDEAS, More Out-of-THE-Box ideas, & MORE ideas of GIVING-BACK, SHARING our Gifts & TALENTS, & HELPING others. 

I KNOW the groWTH I've had, personally, this year & KNOW that with the INCREASED knowledge, confidence, & experience that I now have.....2015 is going to BuSy & EXCITING!!

BUCK UP BABY & COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE!!!

Heather Schoenst Kaspar

TXL 17037

Tanner's Light

Welcome to all my readers!! My crew and I, along with the family, friends, & supporters of the Tanner Bayless Family are gearing up & getting ready for the 3rd annual Tanner Bayless Memorial Scholarship Benefit.

As an auctioneer, I call all sorts of auctions & raise money for all kinds of different causes. One thing I've learned in my walk with God is that EVERYTHING has a purpose &, if we make the right choices, we will SHARE in that purpose & SHARE it with others...many times, unintentionally.

I met Tanner's Mom Stacy last year when she called me & asked me to be the auctioneer for last year's benefit. I didn't know Tanner or his Mom & I really didn't know what had happened. When I had a chance to ask Stacy I did &, as a Mom, my heart twisted up & I naturally started wondering if my babies were OKAY, right where they were.

One thing I am CERTAIN none of us will be able to comprehend is TRAGEDY. Why? WHY? Why do sweet young babies have to battle through cancer? Why can the mass disappear & then come back? Why is one kid in a car accident & lives & WHY does another die? Why was she in the house when it exploded because of a gas leak? Why did that horse spook & cause my baby to get hurt so bad? What happened on that tractor...helicopter...motorcyle? We may never know...surely not in this life...

One thing I can tell you about Tanner (even though I never had the pleasure of meeting him) is that HIS LIGHT SHINED SO BRIGHTLY in his time here on Earth. I am almost certain that is what adds to Stacy's light. I had a lady that lost her husband in tragedy tell me: "If it wasn't for this business, I would go in my bedroom, cover my head with a sheet, & just stay there." So what makes a MOM move forward? What makes living OK, when your baby isn't?

Stacy has never told me her answer, BUT I think it would have a little something to do with this. Even though Tanner isn't PHYSICALLY here anymore...all the love & memories & hugs & kisses & smells & hunting stories & fishing stories & football stories.....THEY DON'T GO AWAY. They don't LEAVE this world. KNOW...that God could take them away, if he wanted. Tanner's light SHINES ON through us. We all NEED each other. We help others....strangers...and we don't even know it. WE ALL want to TRANSCEND. We are in the trenches right now & sometimes it is gut-wrenching, but we have to CONTINUE to shine light in the darkness. God-willing we will all be where Tanner is one day, but that sure doesn't make the pain go away.

I read something in a book yesterday that said: "If you don't exercise your muscles, they weaken and atrophy. In the same way, if you don't utilize the abilities and skills God has given you, you will lose them." - Pastor Rick Warren

How does this apply? Tanner's family & friends have the abilities & skills to continue LETTING his light shine. They had a choice...to keep it for themselves OR to share it with others. When you bless people, you will also be blessed...& sometimes those blessings help to COPE with the pain. I PRAY that you are able to come out to this event to WITNESS the STRENGTH, SUPPORT, TENACITY, & LOVE of this group of people.

The money that is raised at this event has provided scholarships to help other young people move towards their goals & dreams. It has also been put right back into the community for NUMEROUS causes & has helped other families of tragedies. Stacy's dream would be able to provide a full-ride to a student one day, be able to work together with other families of tragedy, & continue to contribute to the success of other local causes.

Like I said...Tanner's light is a BRIGHT one. It was AWESOME to see so many young people come out...& not just show up, BUT BID & contribute to the cause. You really don't see that much & just goes to show how his light is still shining in them.

We truly have NO IDEA what the next moment holds, so LOVE your people & love them deep. FORGIVE quickly & do your best. BE READY & EAGER to help the next person, because you might just be in their shoes tomorrow.

BUCK UP BABY! Come out & help Tanner's light SHINE ON!! God Bless!

Heather Schoenst Kaspar
TXL 17037

Halloween...80´s Style!!!

Hey! Hey! It´s that time of year again.... Tomorrow is the annual TOWN (Texas Outdoor Women Network - Rockport) Halloween Party - 80´s REWIND!!!

If any of you are in the area (or reasonable driving distance) YOU SHOULD BE THERE!! There is a $5 cover and proceeds go to our annual SCHOLARSHIP FUND!!

Last year 3 of my girlfriends and I dressed up as the NINJA TURTLES!! So I was fairly new to the TOWN group and (apparently) didn´t pay attention at the meetings and didn´t realize there was a prize for the best costume....

My friend Kacie (over at Pistols and Cupcakes or Rowdy Maui) and I had already went into full brainstorming and recruitment mode. We went back and forth between several different groups and settled on the Ninja Turtles. I have a friend Shannon (go check her work out at http://www.shannonbuckphotography.com/) from back close to home looking for something to do. Let´s just say she called me at the PERFECT time! So we had our 3rd turtle.

Then...I had recently met a new friend (a little FIRECRACKER of a chick that likes to hunt and stab ferral hogs for fun - it´s a real epidemic folks.) Check out her and her husband´s website here. Her name is Krystal. My Mother and Sister-in-law watched the little ones and off we went. Krystal and I acutally got our husbands to dress up with us as Splinter (the Rat) and Shredder (the bad guy). Let´s just say....they will probably NEVER dress up with us again (hence the reason you will not see a picture of them :)).

You Know you´re diggin´ our turkey pans!

Little Miss Kacie also met her LOVER BOY there - which happens to be one of our friends from back home. Still together....tomorrow night makes one year since the day they met. :))

Here they are the night we went out dancin´ to CELEBRATE our WIN!!

So we have our turtles and Kacie and I have TONS of fun shopping for the needed supplies. I am SO glad my dear friend Kacie and her AWESOME Momma know how to sew! They did their thing, we got to the party right on time, and MAN were people looking at us. A little intimidating....

Do I look intimidated ;)?

So...to make this long story short. We wound up winning. Now, by this time we had heard through the grapevine that there was a prize, but we thought maybe a gift certificate to Poor Man´s Country Club (the place where the party is held - click HERE for website). Little did we know we just won ourselves $200 cash AND a SASH :).

Shannon, Kacie, Me, and Krystal with our $$$$!

Well...everyone had SO much fun last year that they decided to do an 80´s Party REWIND this year.

SO................we have to TOP last years. We think we´ve done it. We lost one turtle....Mrs. Krystal :(. She had to go out of town for work BUT we have a new recruit and she´s a crafty little thing herself. She´s my JUNK-O-RAMA Prom goin´ friend Ms. Lindsey!

Me and Lindsey at the Party Last Year!

Stay tuned for PICS to see what we came up with!! It´s time to BUCK UP BABY!! We´ve gotta step it up to get the win. We´ll see if we pull it off. Until next time.....TURTLE POWER!!