2025 Alcohol Responsibility Matters Scholarship

HELENA – Montana’s Department of Revenue (DOR) Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABCD) is a member of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) and received an alcohol education grant from this organization. NABCA’s mission is to support member jurisdictions in their efforts to protect public health and safety and ensure responsible and efficient systems for beverage alcohol distribution and sales.

ABCD is pleased to announce its second year in awarding five, one-time, $2,000 scholarships to Montana students who came up with an essay and design dedicated to the question: What does “Alcohol Responsibility Matters” mean to you and your community? This opportunity was for all Montana high school seniors who were willing to take the time to write a brief essay about what the message meant to them and with an original design idea. To receive the scholarship, students must attend a Montana post-secondary school/apprentice program/certificate institute of higher learning after graduation (including homeschooled students). 55 qualified submissions were received by the deadline.

Congratulations to the following 2025 winners!

  • Rina Gottula, Shepard, MT
  • Mara Murer, Libby, MT
  • Gabriel Hull, Bozeman, MT
  • Luis Spotted Eagle, Cut Bank, MT
  • Braedon Ferris, Thompson Falls, MT

Their designs may be used on materials for alcoholic beverage establishments and billboards in high-traffic areas across Montana to promote the importance of responsible alcohol consumption. The billboards will have a consistent theme centered on Montana, with the tagline “Alcohol Responsibility Matters” and the ABCD-designed logo, along with the student’s original artwork. ABCD hopes to provide community-centered messages that remind individuals 21 and over of the importance of being responsible when consuming alcohol. This will support the overall theme of ABCD Alcohol Responsibility Matters resources for licensees and the public.

Rina Gottula, Shepard, MT

Attends Shepard High School and will be attending the University of Montana Western – Dillon

Skiers on a mountain with text: 'Don’t let alcohol wipe you out. Alcohol Responsibility Matters.'

Mara Murer, Libby, MT

Attends Libby High School and will be attending the University of Montana – Missoula

Montana shape with mountains and text: 'You matter. Alcohol responsibility matters.'

Gabriel Hull, Bozeman, MT

Attends Gallatin High School and will be attending Montana State University – Bozeman

Wine pours from a bottle into a car crash scene. Text: 'Alcohol – Responsibility Matters.'

Luis Spotted Eagle, Cut Bank, MT

Attends Cutbank High School and will be attending Flathead Valley Community College – Kalispell

Stylized woman holding a bottle. Text: 'Alcohol Responsibility Matters. Stop for those we’ve lost.'

Braedon Ferris, Thompson Falls, MT

Attends Thompson Falls High School and will be attending Montana State University – Bozeman

Sketch of Montana with messages about balance, planning, and alcohol responsibility.

For more information about the scholarship please go to the ABCD’s webpage https://mtrevenue.gov/alcoholic-beverage-control/ and click Learn more about Alcohol Responsibility Matters or contact the ABCD Outreach and Education Unit at dorabcd-o&e@mt.gov.

Want to check out last year’s winners? View the 2024 Alcohol Responsibility Matters Scholarship winners and their submissions!