Pendleton Cattle Barons Weekend

>>Vance Nelson

~~Jack Reynolds~~
Pendleton Cattle Barons Scholarship Recipient
After I graduate from Pendleton High School I will attend Eastern Oregon University to major in Biology in hopes of becoming a wildlife biologist. I am extremely passionate about all things outdoors including fishing, big game, and waterfowl. As a biologist I will pursue these interests at a more professional level as a daily part of my job, monitoring species habits and populations. I have taken multiple advanced placement biology classes while in high school and they helped influence this decision. I have positioned myself for future success in college by taking advanced placement courses in math and science throughout high school which will provide me with a strong academic foundation to build upon. In addition, my experience in athletics and work has provided me with valuable skills such as responsibility, hard work ethic and a desire to be successful. My favorite part of the Cattle Baron’s weekend is the dog sale. I find it amazing that these dogs are trained so well and perform so precisely based on verbal and hand commands. I know how valuable a good dog can be to a rancher and I also like to see the work that their trainer puts into them paying off. Overall, I enjoy all aspects of the Cattle Baron weekend, but the dogs are definitely my favorite part.

~~RyLee Demianew~~
Pendleton Cattle Barons Scholarship Recipient
I am from Pendleton, Oregon. This March, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science at Oregon State University, and I am currently in the Accelerated Master’s Program for Agricultural Education. After finishing my degree, I plan to become a high school AgriScience teacher and FFA advisor. Agriculture isn’t just something I study, it’s a huge part of who I am. It’s my heritage. My great-great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Hemphill, homesteaded on our family’s land in 1865 along Stewart Creek in Umatilla County. Knowing that my family has been part of agriculture for generations makes it even more meaningful to me. Throughout my time at OSU, I’ve been involved in a variety of organizations and experiences that have strengthened both my knowledge and passion for agriculture. I helped reestablish the Agriculture Education Club at Oregon State after it had died out, and we’ve worked hard to rebuild it into a strong community for students interested in teaching and ag education. I was also selected as a National Ambassador, where I had the opportunity to advocate for agricultural education on a national level. I am currently an intern with Oregon Ag in the Classroom, where I help develop and share educational materials and assist with outreach events to teach students about agriculture. I’ve also gained a lot of hands-on experience through my involvement in the Steer-A-Year Club. Through this program, I’ve helped care for and manage cattle, assisted with vaccinations and herd health, and attended events like the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Conference.

~~Alexa Marandas ~~
Pendleton Cattle Barons Scholarship receiver
I am the 24-year-old daughter of Steve and Johna Marandas of Sauvie Island, OR. I was raised on my family’s Simmental x Angus operation (based in both Sauvie Island, OR and Long Creek, OR) where I was horseback from a young age. After completing an Honors Bachelor of Science in Biology at Oregon State University in 2024, I am now a 2nd year veterinary student at the Gary R. Carlson MD College of Veterinary Medicine at OSU. Upon completing this program, I plan to participate in a 1-year large animal/equine internship before going into practice. Although I am not a Pendleton native, this place is nothing short of home for me. I am heavily involved with the Pendleton Round-Up: in 2022, I served as a Princess on the Court, and since then I have volunteered horseback on the Grand Entry and Run Out crews. Horses have always been a huge part of my life. I grew up on ranch horses and later became involved in the sport of 3-Day-Eventing, where I earned the coveted USPC “A” certification in 2023 along with only 3 other individuals nation-wide. I was also selected for the USEA Emerging Athletes program. I currently teach a pony club in Corvallis, OR while bringing up my next eventing prospect while completing my DVM. Something I really appreciate about Pendleton Cattle Barons weekend is that it is the ultimate showcase of the equine athlete, and the ever-important utility of these animals for sustaining our way of life. It is truly a treat to watch these horses work and continue to contribute to our industry.

We thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, today and everyday. Let us remember them. Let us thank them.

Huge thank you to Nancy Shearer of Markel Insurance for coming from Weatherford TX to this years Pendleton Cattle Barons. We enjoyed having you here and are thankful for your time!

Official Results for the 2026 Pendelton Cattle Baron’s BBQ Challenge is posted on our website https://www.pnwba.com. Congratulations to all who heard their name called. Thank you to all the organizers, sponsors, cook teams, judges, and volunteers for an awesome event!