Twenty-eight scholarship winners for the 2023-24 school year were recognized during the annual Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Convention November 29 in Wichita. A total of $31,000 was presented by the Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF) and its partners.
Five students attending the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University each have been awarded a $1,500 Cartridges for Cash (CFC) scholarship from Merck Animal Health and KLF. Mallory Beltz of Sterling is the daughter of Daren and Shawna Beltz. Mackenzie Birney, the daughter of Kevin and Bev Birney, is from Bucklin. Laura Carpenter of Wamego is the daughter of Joe Carpenter and Barb Downey. Caleb Hildebrand, the son of Jason and Carrie Hildebrand, is from Stafford. Jerilyn Nelson of Soldier is the daughter of Jerry and Jo Ann Nelson. This award recognizes K-State veterinary school students with a career goal of being a large animal veterinarian.
Regan Ast from Ingalls, Rayleigh Wittman of Garnett and Adison George from Holcomb each received $1,000 CFC scholarships through KLF. Ast is the daughter of Tom and Karla Ast. She is a senior at K-State majoring in animal sciences and industry (ASI). Wittman, daughter of Rod and Kim Wittman, is a junior at K-State majoring in ASI. George is a sophomore at Garden City Community College majoring in agribusiness. She is the daughter of Darren and Jill George. This scholarship is presented to students entering or returning to a Kansas community or senior college and pursuing degrees in agriculture or a related field. CFC scholarships are funded by Merck’s donation of 25¢ for each used Ralgro wheel and Revalor cartridge turned in to KLA.
Two students were awarded $1,500 Douglas A. Laue Memorial Scholarships. Caleb Eilert is the son of Joe and Kari Eilert from Jewell. He is a junior majoring in agricultural technology management at K-State. Logan Ohlde, son of Curtis and Winda Ohlde from Winchester, is a junior majoring in ASI at K-State. This scholarship is awarded to students entering their junior or senior year at K-State or Fort Hays State University and pursuing degrees in agriculture.
Saul Vargas Rojas of Goodland has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from GoBob America’s Ranch Equipment and KLF. Rojas is the son of Manuel Vargas and Ofelia Rojas. He is a sophomore at Northwest Kansas Technical College majoring in precision agriculture. This scholarship is awarded to a student entering or returning to a Kansas community or senior college and pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field.
Two $1,000 Hampel Oil Scholarships have been presented to K-State students. Courtney Clinesmith, daughter of Bill and Stephanie Clinesmith of Cimarron, is a junior majoring in agribusiness. Jarek Meyer is the son of Jeffrey and Dawn Meyer from Athol. He is a senior majoring in agricultural economics. This scholarship is awarded to students entering their junior or senior year at K-State or Fort Hays State University and pursuing degrees in agronomy, agribusiness or agricultural economics. Preference is given to applicants with a career goal of being actively engaged in a farming or feedyard enterprise.
The $1,000 Scott Johnson and Family Scholarship was awarded to Ava Perrier of Eureka. She is the daughter of Matt and Amy Perrier, and is a junior majoring in ASI at K-State. This scholarship is awarded to any student attending K-State and pursuing a degree in ASI, agricultural communications and journalism, agribusiness or agricultural economics.
Dylon Harris was awarded the $500 Fred H. Woodbury Memorial Scholarship through KLF. Harris is the son of Delvin and Keri Harris from Overbrook. He is a freshman at K-State majoring in agricultural technology management. This scholarship is presented to a student attending a Kansas junior or senior college and pursuing a degree in agriculture. Preference is given to students residing within Chase, Franklin, Lyon, Osage or Wabaunsee counties.
Six students from across the state have received $1,000 “Youth in Agriculture” scholarships from KLF. Jade Chambers is the son of Wade and Angie Chambers from Centerville. He is a freshman majoring in ASI at K-State. Preston Dunn of St. John is the son of Brian and Carolyn Dunn. He is a sophomore at K-State majoring in ASI and agricultural economics. Bryce Hoeltzel, Olsburg, is the son of Hans and Jenny Hoeltzel. He is a freshman majoring in animal science and natural resource management at Allen Community College. Cally Miller is the daughter of Cory and Charlene Miller of El Dorado. She is a freshman majoring in animal science and agribusiness at Butler Community College (BCC). Coy Stamm, son of Curtis and Marlene Stamm from Washington, is a sophomore at K-State majoring in agronomy. Calley Stubbs of Wallace is the daughter of Becky Vandike and Adam Stubbs. She is a sophomore majoring in agriculture at BCC. Funded by the KLF Club Calf Sale held during the Kansas Junior Livestock Show, these scholarships recognize students entering or returning to a Kansas junior or senior college and pursuing degrees in agriculture or a related field.
The Kansas CattleWomen (KCW) awarded seven $1,000 scholarships. Katherine Bruning from Geneseo is the daughter of Wade Bruning and Ginger Webb. She is a freshman majoring in animal science and veterinary science at Barton Community College. Rachel Donaldson, the daughter of Stephanie Donaldson of Berryton, is a freshman majoring in ASI at K-State. Carly Dreher is the daughter of Jerry and Cathy Dreher from Iola. She is a freshman majoring in agribusiness at BCC. Riley Showalter, daughter of Troy and Mary Beth Showalter of Wakarusa, is a freshman majoring in agribusiness at K-State. Carissa Sohm from Rolla is the daughter of Gregory and Rebecca Sohm. She is a freshman at K-State majoring in agronomy. Kena Sterling, daughter of Sam and Shannon Sterling of Pratt, is a freshman at K-State majoring in agribusiness. Sage Toews from Canton is the daughter of Flint and Alice Toews. She is a freshman majoring in agricultural economics at K-State. This scholarship, funded by the KCW silent auction, is awarded to students entering or returning to a Kansas community or senior college and pursuing degrees in dietetics, food safety, agriculture or a related field.
KLF was established in 1983 to operate solely and exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. For information about KLF scholarship opportunities or to receive an application, contact the foundation at 6031 SW 37th St., Topeka, KS 66614 or email [email protected].
KLA is a 5,700-member trade organization representing the state’s livestock business on legislative, regulatory and industry issues at both the state and federal levels. The association’s work is funded through voluntary dues dollars paid by its members.