Recognition for exceptional contributions!
OCTA recognizes individuals and groups that protect and share the legacy of emigrant trails.
OCTA is especially proud to support and recognize educators and students through awards, an honorarium, and annual prizes.
Announcing the Student Winners for Western Calendar Contest
Congratulations to these fourteen students, along with their teachers who encouraged their work, whose artwork was selected and appears in the 2024 calendar “Emigrant and Indian – Tools, Utensils, & Equipment.” They are:
Milo Smith, Ms. Janner, John Paul II, 3rd grade, Overland Park, KS; Kate Massoth, Ms. Fredrickson, John Paul II, 5th grade, Overland Park, KS; Zavier M. Rodriguez, Mrs. Fredrickson, John Paul II, 5th grade, Overland Park, KS; Anthony Segura, Mrs. Fredrickson, John Paul II, 5th grade, Overland Park, KS; Cora Williams, Ms. Broome & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT; Megan Schwartz, Ms. Broome & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT; Jane Jarman, Ms. Broome & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT; Ty Burbidge, Ms. Broome & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT; Caleb Lichty, Ms. Smith & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT; Lyla Lambert, Ms. Smith & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT; Ellie Neff, Ms. Hudson & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT; Wyatt Lassen, Ms. Hudson & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT; Mason Brewer, Ms. Hudson & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT; Henry Astle, Ms. Hudson & Leisha Black, Canyon Rim Academy, 5th grade, Salt Lake City, UT.
We would also like to say, “Thank You!” to all the other students, and their teachers, who participated in the contest, but whose artwork was not selected. Their participation served to improve the quality of the published calendar. We hope all the students enjoy working on this project.
The theme for the 2025 student western calendar is, “Emigrant and Indian – Games, Toys & Other Activities” that children and adults engaged in during their spare time or for relaxation and fun.
For complete information and rules for entry in the calendar contest, click on the “upload” figure.
Outstanding Educator Award
Outstanding Educator Award
The outstanding Educator Award seeks to honor outstanding educators and institutions for their work in providing unique programs that engage and spark their students’ interests in westward emigration and expansion that give students a both a factual and realistic understanding of it. The award includes a $250.00 honorarium. Applications for the award are open to any individual, team of educators, or institution that contributes significantly to students’ education about the 19th century westward overland migration in the United States.
Activity Book Raffle
Activity Book Raffle
Each winter we sponsor a raffle for a class set of one of OCTA’s educational activity books that focus on the Oregon-California trails, Mormon Trail, Pony Express Trail, or Lewis and Clark Trail. The deadline for raffle postcard entries are February 1.
Western Calendar
Each year the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) produces a special western calendar based on a particular theme. The calendar will be created using the original artwork of elementary students. Prizes will be awarded to each child whose artwork is selected. Each selected student receives a $50.00 prize. The theme for the 2025 calendar is “Emigrant and Indian – Types of Dwellings.” The deadline to enter is April 1, 2025.
OCTA Awards
OCTA awards are given each year to people who have made exceptional contributions toward the furtherance of OCTA’s mission and objectives. Awards recognizing those contributions are presented at the annual convention. As a general rule, when giving out awards, preference is given to persons residing in the general area where the national convention is being held. The objective of this rule is to maximize publicity and interest at the local level and to increase participation in the awards program.
Types of Awards
Merrill Mattes Award This award is presented to the author(s) of the article in the Overland Journal that best reflects excellence in writing and research and the goals of OCTA. It is open to both OCTA members and non-members.
Gregory Franzwa Meritorious Achievement Award The highest award OCTA can give to recognize long-term and significant contributions to OCTA. Only members can qualify for Meritorious Achievement.
Dave Welch Preservation Award For special efforts toward Preservation.
Distinguished Volunteer Award Bestowed on OCTA members who contribute significantly to achieving OCTA goals and projects. Only OCTA members can qualify for Distinguished Volunteer.
Distinguished Service Award Granted to organizations, businesses, government agencies, individuals, or others who contribute or participate in furthering OCTA’s programs directly or provide substantial support in a non-affiliated way to trail preservation and education.
Friend of the Trail Award Presented to groups, individuals, or organizations that have direct ties to lands over which historic trails pass. Neither property ownership nor current residence on trail property is required, but emphasis is on preservation of trail remnants, education of the public about their historic resources, and allowing responsible public access to the historic resources.
National Certificates of Appreciation Presented to individuals and organizations that have made a particular effort in achieving a short-term OCTA goal. These certificates are for efforts of national scope; more regional or local efforts should be recognized by appropriate chapters.
Young OCTAN Award Presented to children and youth between the ages of six and twenty-one who have demonstrated particular interest in OCTA and the history and/or preservation of historic emigrant trails. The nominee will have demonstrated this interest by an activity in the field or via a school or class project in such a manner that is considered outstanding and far above the typical field or school project. The project may also be an outstanding personal endeavor on the nominee’s own initiative. An entire class or group of school-aged children may be nominated as one aggregated nominee. Qualifying standards would include participation in OCTA meetings, outings, and/or work projects over an extended period. OCTA membership is not a requirement. In addition, other awards may be appropriate, such as the Past Presidential Award, the Special Presidential Award, Certificates of Appreciation for outgoing officers and directors, and Resolutions of Thanks for convention program chairs and local arrangement chairs.
Awards Presented by Local Chapters Local chapters of OCTA may present Certificates of Appreciation to deserving individuals or institutions who have shown outstanding contributions in preservation, research or education on the local level. Although these certificates are primarily intended for those outside of OCTA, it is also open to OCTA volunteers.
Award Forms Award forms can be filled in and submitted electronically.