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SUPPORTING BREED EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

THROUGH PHILANTHROPY

The Epagneul Breton Foundation, Inc., congratulates and acknowledges the scholars shown below who have been awarded the Joyce Smith Memorial scholarship. Each recipient has demonstrated dedication to the Epagneul Breton and involvement in related breed activities, and met criteria required to receive the award.

2022 Kate Winchester

A graduate of River Bluff High School (South Carolina), Kate plans to attend Columbia College. She is an avid outdoors person who enjoys sharing her passion about hunting, dogs, fishing and soccer through social media.

"The memories and experiences [of hunting] are all special to me. They've connected me to many wonderful new people and awesome bird dogs. These are cherished memories. I feel hunting also connects me in many ways to God through his creations in the outdoors. It is my wish that more people could experience the wonders and benefits of hunting."

Joel Lucasey - 2022

Joel plans to attend Lincoln Land Community College (Illinois) after graduation from Lutheran High School. He has participated in over 34 field and show events with his dogs, and enjoys training and hunting them.

"Having an EB, joining our local bird dog club and the CEB-US has done a lot for me. I learned to be patient and not give up. I learned responsibility, by taking care of my dog. I gained confidence and know I can attain most things I set my mind to. I learned about winning and losing and being happy for those that win as we all try to achieve our goals."

Callie Broughton -2020

Callie attends the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, majoring in Mass Communication with a minor in Digital Media. She also served as an ambassador for the city of Annandale, Minnesota from 2019-2021. She  has helped with her family's kennel operations since the age of 10, caring for dogs and puppies and has traveled nationally and internationally to dog events.

"Epagneul Bretons have ... taught me about loss, character, and culture. Without them, the world would be a stranger to me."

Anna Marie Farris - 2018

Anna earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Social Work and Family and Marriage Therapy  from College of the Ozarks. In 2022, she went to Italy to work as au pair, teaching children English while using the opportunity to travel. While in high school, Anna enjoyed helping her dad plan events for their regional Epagneul Breton club and she also worked as a vet tech.

"Being able to interact with all kinds of breeds showed me how amazing the French Brittany is. They are a managable size ... they are athletic and bold in the field, yet calm and loving at home. They truly have it all."  

Ava Painter - 2018

Ava graduated in December 2021 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a degree in Neurobiology and Psychology. She works with the development of autistic children. Ava's experiences observing, training and showing her family's dogs helped teach her discipline and patience.

"... their never-ending humor and unconditional love make our lives that much more enjoyable. I'm incredibly blessed to have such animated companions and skilled hunters be a part of my family."  

Helen Wax - 2018

Helen is a May 2022 graduate of North Dakota State University with degrees in Anthropology, Biology and Microbiology, and plans to attend graduate school.

"I've been exposed to many different personalities and experiences because my parents were involved in running our dogs in field trials. Epagneul Bretons have been a constant positive force within my conscious lifetime."

Chris Kimbrell - 2012

A graduate of Pierce County High School (Georgia), Chris received his DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine in the Spring 2021.

"Patience and humility are two virtuous traits I learned from the Epagneul Breton. These lessons ... have been applied in situations all throughout my life."  

Alayna Hites - 2012

Alayna graduated from East Richland High School (Illinois). She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Vincennes University with a Culinary Arts degree. She works as an account specialist, and also enjoys designing, baking, and decorating cakes and cupcakes for people for special occasions. 

"With an Epagneul Breton as a trusted friend, I always had someone to talk to and share my secrets with. I learned to care about other creatures beyond myself, and the value and fun of exercising with my EB."  

Grace Hites - 2014

Grace earned a bachelor degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and works as a retail store manager. She enjoys fishing and hunting with her fiance and their dog. Grace was seven years old when their first Epagneul Breton "Bandit" joined her family. Growing up, she watched puppies being born, loved them, cared for them, hunted with them, and held Bandit when he died.  

"The unconditional love I receive from my dogs is immeasurable. Even a bad day turns better when my dog greets me with a wagging tail and happy disposition."  

Nick Wax - 2013

A graduate of Century High School (North Dakota) and Valley City State University, Nick earned a degree in Software Engineering and Computer Science. He works as a software developer and analyst.  

Nick grew up helping his family raise and train EBs.

"Dogs, and especially Epagneul Bretons, are a part of my life. They've woken me early in the morning, snuggled with me at night, made me happy, been my friend when I was lonely, and have always been faithful to me."

Will Hutwagner - 2013

Will graduated from Jordan High School (Georgia) and received his undergraduate degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology before pursuing an M.D. degree from the Indiana University Medical School. Will serves on the Board of Trustees of The Epagneul Breton Foundation.

"Our EBs...have taught me compassion, empathy, admiration, and the joy of knowing a great breed of dogs."

2025 Grace Crowe

Grace plans to attend Radford University after graduating from Blacksberg (Virginia) High School in 2025. She has trained her dogs and participated in field trials and shows for over 10 years and is an active member of the CEB. She enjoys working with her dogs and observing their unique personalities.

"There is not a day working with them I am not entertained and intrigued. The amount of devotion and trust they have in themselves and also you is something I love. There is always something new, a problem and a solution, for them and I adore watching them figure the situation out. They never cease to amaze and amuse me!"

2025 Ella Hidinger-Wood

Ella attends Midlothian (Virginia) High School and has been accepted to at least four colleges. Ella has lived with EBs all of her life and helps with her family's kennel, from caring for puppies to handling the social media aspects of their business. She especially loves socializing and playing with the puppies. She also enjoys participating in field trials and shows, and hunting with her dad.

"I love French Brittanys' desire to be loved ... I also love watching them do what I believe they love most, hunting and running. They have given me a multitude of different experiences most people will not get to experience or understand."

2025 Keidra Kuenstler

Keidra attends high school in Clay City, Illinois and plans to attend Lake Land College after graduation. She is an avid promoter of the EB and has included that passion in many school and educational projects. She enjoys quail hunting and attending field trials, but excels at showing her dogs. At age 10, Keidra trained and showed her dog Jasper for the first time and was thrilled to be awarded National Best of Breed.

"For me, being involved with an organization that prioritizes the importance of preserving, protecting and promoting the EB is more meaningful than any ribbons or titles achieved in our name."

2025 Annabelle LaFary

Annabelle plans to attend the University of Jamestown after graduation from Delavan (Illinois) High School. She has participated in numerous field trials and show events and appreciates the lessons in responsibility and care she has learned through her experiences.

"Owning a dog, specifically a French Brittany named Hera, during my childhood had a profound and varied impact on me. My dog was a source of unconditional love and companion- ship, which was important during those growing-up years. This relationship taught me about loyalty and encouraged me to recognize and respond to others' emotions. On top of that, caring for a dog calls for me to be a responsible and committed person."

2025 Gwen Miller

Gwen has three colleges to choose from after graduation from Kaneland High School (Illinois). She has participated in and won numerous awards in field trial and show events and has contributed to her club's newsletter. Gwen enjoyed the challenge of training her dogs and the opportunities to attend events with her dad.

"On the way back [from an event] I started to realize how much I had missed going to the trials, but it wasn't the competition that I missed, it wasn't winning ribbons or trophies, but the time I spent with my dad that made it so special. I miss those days of traveling with my dad, but most importantly the lessons my dad and dogs taught me that I will continue to use as I enter college."