05/27/2025
💥💥2025 Tammy Lee Tough Award💥💥
This year's group of Tammy Lee Tough nominees are the real thing. These Nevada High School Rodeo athletes have faced serious adversity, difficult decisions, and life changing challenges, each rising to the occasion and staying true to themselves.
Competitive, kind, helpful, engaged, hardworking, goal oriented, and tough are a few of the words used to describe them in the nominations submitted.
Each year this award highlights some amazing Nevada rodeo athletes and whether rodeo is in their long term plans or not, the following nominees are all indeed “Tammy Lee Tough”. Thank you all for being good humans! I believe Tammy would be proud!
Below are the nominees and excerpts from their nomination letters highlighting their strengths, goals, and toughness.
💥Brynn Barto💥
Brynn has been competing in rodeo since around 5 years old and that has been an integral part of her life….Tragedy struck at the Fallon High School Rodeo…I can’t imagine the courage, strength and pure grit it took for Brynn to ride again…I know she will always be grateful for the tremendous support she and her family received within the rodeo community.
💥Natalie Mori💥
Natalie is “Tammy Lee Tough” for so many reasons, the first being her love for equine competition. If there is a horse involved and even better, a cow too, she is all in! If Tammy were here, I could see her and Natalie watching good runs and laughing on the side lines, telling stories. We once entered her in the boxing class at the Idaho Futurity and her response was, “Why can’t I go down the fence? That’s no fun!”. That was her first and last boxing class entry. Secondly, Natalie is a fierce competitor and strives to be the best in her events but at the same time loves the sport and enjoys watching other people’s success. She is a huge lover of animals and elderly people. If there is a dog and an old man to visit with, plan on Natalie being right there visiting. Natalie is a driven individual that works hard to chase her goals and dreams. I believe Natalie is “Tammy Lee Tough” in every way and is deserving of this honorary award in this special lady’s name.
💥Oliver Buchanan💥
Tammy Lee was instrumental in forming Oliver's’ work ethic from a young age. He has carried his work ethic and great attitude with him in everything he does and he’s capable of completing most any job he is ask to do. The best thing about Ollie is he does it with a smile and without complaint. He is always willing to help a friend or neighbor even if it causes him a personal hardship. I can’t count the number of calves he has pushed and the other kids he has helped both in and out of the arena, much like Tammy did.
I have no doubts Oliver will continue using his work ethic Mrs. Lee inspired, as she would say, “Go fast. Take chances.”
💥Olivia Process💥
Through this journey, I learned lessons about overcoming what life throws at you and the importance of not giving up on what you love. I realized that setbacks are often opportunities for growth and although you may think you have your path
and journey figured out, God has his own plan and it’s not always the same as our plan.
This experience made me “Tammy Lee Tough….. My rodeo journey has been challenging, full of ups and downs, but my horse and this sport have made me grateful in the lessons I’ve learned and the strength I’ve gained. In the end, the bonds we form and the resilience we build are what truly define our being.
💥Scarlett Buchanan💥
Scarlett exemplifies the meaning of tough. Over the past 10 years, I have watched Scarlett grow into a kind and caring young lady, a fierce competitor, and a very hard-working individual. She always greets you with a smile and makes it a point to say hello. When Scarlett shows up somewhere to practice an event, she gives her horse her devoted attention, pleasantly acknowledges everyone there, and is the first to jump in and bring cattle up, wrap steers, or shut the gate. Her work ethic is second to none……Scarlett's willingness to do anything and everything that needs done, never expecting others to do the work for her.
She has a quiet way about her but is also confident in her ability…This is what makes Scarlett Buchanan "Tammy Lee Tough," not just her work ethic and kindness, but her deep understanding of herself and her future… Scarlett chose her well-being over buckles and titles in an event she loved. As we continue to watch her compete this spring, it is obvious that she is pouring her heart and soul into her other events, and she is doing it with a smile. Scarlett Buchanan is tough in many ways, but her composure and emotional maturity goes well beyond her 17 years. Scarlett is Tammy Lee Tough.
Congratulations to our 2025 TAMMY LEE TOUGH AWARD winner:
💥💥Scarlett Buchanan💥💥
