Melissa Dymock: 2004 AHP Student Award Winner

Photo by Daniel K. Lew

Melissa Dymock of Logan, Utah, has been named the American Horse Publications 2004 Student Award Winner. She received a $1,000 cash award plus an all-expense trip to AHP's annual meeting and seminar in Lexington, Kentucky. Melissa attends the University of Utah, where she double majors in Print Journalism and Animal Science and has a 3.7 GPA. She is the daughter of Roger Dymock of Bluffdale, Utah.

Melissa grew up on a horse and naturally also grew up reading horse magazines such as Western Horseman. "I could picture myself being the subject of the story, racing around the last barrel to head for home or being the one who could train that unruly horse," she wrote. She also loved to read and write stories. At age eight, she wrote, published and sold her first book. "It took an hour to write, five minutes to staple together, and all day sitting at my makeshift booth at the top of our dirt lane to sell," writes Melissa.

It wasn't until high school that she discovered her dreams could work together. Her mother returned home from a convention excited about having heard a woman speaking about her accomplished dream of becoming a horse journalist. From that moment on, Melissa had a concrete dream of where her life should lead.

She has had the opportunity to take many classes at Utah State that have helped shape her as a journalist. In addition to writing for the university newspaper, Melissa and two fellow students are starting their own agriculture-based newsletter for northern Utah and southern Idaho.

Melissa was honored on Friday, June 11, 2004, at the Student Award Night held during the AHP Red, White & Bluegrass Seminar in Lexington, Kentucky. This year's theme was "Racing Toward Our Future." The evening included a reception sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association, a dinner buffet sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, horse racing, and a Derby Hat Contest.

"When everyone asked me how was Kentucky, I replied 'awesome'," says Melissa after she returned home to Utah. "I couldn't think of a better word to describe my experience. Before the convention my career goals were a blur in the distant future," she continues. "The convention brought those dreams and plans to the present. Now I can see where I'm going and how I'll get there so much more clearly."

Melissa joins an elite group of 12 talented young women who have earned the AHP Student Award title since 1993. Students pursuing a career in equine publishing are eligible to compete for the AHP Student Award. Applicants are scored on the following criteria: academics, relevant experience, skills/abilities, presentation of materials, and career goals/assertiveness. The Student Award Contest is designed to award the student who scores the highest overall. All Student Award applicants receive a complimentary student membership and complimentary seminar registration for the AHP Seminar.

American Horse Publications is pleased to offer students interested in pursuing a career in equine publishing with the opportunity to participate in its association programs.

Student Membership is open to high school, college, and graduate students for an annual fee of $25. Student Member applications are available online under JOIN AHP.

The Internship Program was designed specifically for college students who have an interest in horses and seek a career in equine publishing. This program is a great way to provide students with the resume-building experience that's so critical to today's career market. Interns gain valuable hands-on real life experience and AHP members acquire additional help when and where they need it most. The Internship Handbook provides information about the program, a directory of participating AHP members, and an application.

To request information about any of AHP's student programs, please contact: Chris Brune, American Horse Publications, 49 Spinnaker Circle, South Daytona, FL 32119; (386) 760-7743, e-mail: ahorsepubs@aol.com.To keep updated on AHP news, visit the AHP website at www.americanhorsepubs.org.