Minnesota Ag Connection - Extension and Minnesota 4-H Scholarship Awards Announced

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Extension and Minnesota 4-H Scholarship Awards Announced
Minnesota Ag Connection - 09/24/2021

Congratulations went out to the 2021 Minnesota 4-H scholarship recipients when they were announced publicly Thursday. Fourteen 4-H youth and alumni across Minnesota stood out among approximately 110 applications.

Kern Scholarship

Three $1,500 scholarships for entering freshmen attending one of the University of Minnesota campuses or an institution within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (formerly known as MnSCU) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to qualify. Selected recipients may reapply annually, up to three times.

Recipients

Hayden Poquette, Goodhue County -- Hayden has been an active member of the Aspelund Ever-Readies 4-H club. Throughout the years, he has excelled in the poultry, dog, goat, woodshop and flower gardening project areas. Hayden is also actively involved in FFA, National Honor Society, Fall Drama, Math Team, Robotics and Youth Group at his church. He has given countless hours volunteering his time to help his community. Some of these hours were spent serving at his church's Easter Breakfast, volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, making handcrafted blankets for the homeless, assembling gift bags for the Ronald McDonald House and participating in an annual ditch cleanup. Hayden plans to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to study bioproducts and biosystems engineering. His ultimate goal is to use his interests to benefit society by obtaining a career that explores, develops and implements effective systems and solutions to address the impact humans have on the environment.

Anna Ridenour, Dodge County -- Anna has a strong passion for agriculture and her community. She has been very active in 4-H, FFA and community organizations. In her club, Anna has served as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and scrapbook leader. She has also served as a State Fair Livestock Committee member for the goat project. Throughout the years, she has had great success in the goat and sheep project areas. At the State Fair, she has received the honors of Champion Market Goat Showman, Reserve Champion Meat Goat and Reserve Champion Doe Showman. She has also been known for volunteering her time to give back to her community through a variety of organizations and activities. Anna plans to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to study animal science, pre-vet. She hopes to use her passion for veterinary medicine to grow her relationship with agriculture and her community.

Lily Krona, Beltrami County -- Lily has been engaged in various 4-H programs and has been growing in her leadership skills over the past 10 years. Some of her most notable 4-H activities have been serving on the Beltrami County 4-H Council, being selected as a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador and attending the 4-H Agri-Science Summit in Washington, D.C. She has learned perseverance, responsibility and the importance of hard work through her involvement in the poultry, rabbit, sheep, cattle, swine and alpaca project areas. She has also had great success with her Science of Agriculture Challenge project. Her love and passion for agriculture have guided her in making plans for her future. Lily will be attending the University of Minnesota, Crookston. She wants to take her experiences to showcase the world of agriculture to future students by pursuing a degree in Agricultural Education.

Alternate -- Austin Lang, Renville County

David E. Pace and Valerie Halverson Pace Leadership Scholarship

Two one-time $1,000 scholarships awarded annually to either an entering accepted freshman or a continuing sophomore, based on leadership experiences in 4-H, school and community. Awarded funds must be applied toward educational expenses at an accredited college or university within the United States of America.

Recipients

Shelby Reeser, Le Sueur County -- Shelby has been a dedicated member of the horse project. She has served as a State Horse PDC member and received the honor of Equitation Champion at the Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show. Additionally, she has received the Youth Leadership Award and was a top 10 finalist for the Dan Patch Leadership Award at the state level. As a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador, Shelby showed leadership to the 65,000 4-H members across the state and enjoyed leading BLU and YELLO. Shelby attends Kansas State University with a major in Agribusiness and a minor in Animal Science. She hopes to stay actively involved in agriculture and find a career in sales, marketing or finance. On campus, she is involved in Block & Bridle, the Agribusiness/Agricultural Economics Club, and Sigma Alpha.

Bailee Schiefelbein, Meeker County -- Bailee has been an active member of 4-H and her community. In her 4-H career, she participated in a variety of activities and project areas. She served as a Meeker County 4-H Ambassador and youth sheep superintendent. Last year, she served as the Meeker County Extension social media and communications intern. Another notable accomplishment for Bailee was serving as a Minnesota Beef Ambassador. Through her experiences in 4-H, she has found a passion for agriculture that is helping her pursue her future goals. Bailee attends Oklahoma State University where she is majoring in agricultural communications and animal science. She wanted to continue building her leadership experiences and community involvement at school. She is now a member of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) and Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen (OCCW). She also dedicates numerous hours serving her community. In the future, she hopes to be an advocate for the beef industry through public relations and public policy.

Alternate -- McKayla Carlson-Hughes, Isanti County

Ada and Helmuth Schroeder Scholarship

Seven one-time $1,000 scholarships awarded to present or former Minnesota 4-H members who will be entering their freshman year at a Minnesota college or university, based on scholastic achievements, community and 4-H involvement, leadership roles, and positions.

Recipients

Hally Frandrup, Dakota County -- Hally is a very active member of her school, 4-H and her community. She is actively involved in the swine, beef, dairy and dairy goat project areas. She has tremendous leadership and has been the youth president, vice president, and treasurer of the Dakota County 4-H Executive Board and 4-H Federation. Additionally, Hally served as a county 4-H ambassador, fair board youth representative, Dakota County Extension committee youth chair and a delegate for Citizenship Washington Focus. At school, she is a member of the Hastings School District Learning Model Response Team. Hally plans to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to study food science with minors in nutrition and sports management. In the future, she hopes to become a registered dietitian to help people learn how to fuel their bodies and lead the life they wish.

Rachel Eiden, Carver County -- Rachel has found a love for giving back to her community and working with others through her involvement in 4-H. She has been an active member of Sugar City 4-H club and has served as the club's president. Throughout the years, Rachel has dedicated many hours to serving her community. She was also an active student in her school and was involved in 15 school clubs throughout high school. Rachel has found her passion for educating others and encouraging them to stay curious. She plans to attend college and major in education in hopes to become a high school teacher in the future.

Austin Lang, Renville County -- Austin is a strong leader in his 4-H club and community. He credits 4-H for helping him gain a strong voice for agriculture and public speaking skills that allow him to educate others. Recently, Austin has had the opportunity to speak with Congressman Collin Peterson at his county fair to discuss agriculture. He was an important member of a committee to get a new beef barn in McLeod County. He also received the honor of being a recipient of the Youth Leadership Award. His experience from his family farm and involvement in 4-H has helped shape his future educational and career goals. Austin plans to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to study agriculture communication and marketing. He hopes to be a positive advocate for agriculture and help others better understand where their food comes from.

Emmaleah Lund, Marshall County -- Emmaleah has a passion for volunteering and giving back to her community. She has given countless hours to serving others through her involvement in 4-H, her school and various organizations. Some of these hours were spent teaching Sunday school, serving meals to the homeless, delivering baked goods to elderly members, collecting food for the community food shelf and coaching youth. She is also a volunteer at the Marshall County Extension Office. Emmaleah will be attending Northland Community & Technical College to study Nursing. In the future, she wants to continue helping people by working as a registered nurse in the emergency department.

Jordan Mueller, Sibley County -- Jordan has been a dedicated member of 4-H and his community. He is actively involved in beef, sheep, swine and numerous static project areas. Jordan has served as a county Ambassador and helped renovate the restrooms and flower beds at his county fairgrounds. He was also a member of his county's General Livestock Knowledge Bowl team which received top honors at the state level. Jordan will be majoring in urban studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato. After graduating, he plans to work in the field of urban planning.

Anna Stern, Hennepin County -- Anna has been a leader for the horse project and her 4-H club. She has served as the president, vice president, treasurer, and social media secretary of her club. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and helping others within the horse project area. Anna has also had the unique opportunity to study and live overseas in Shanghai, China. Anna will be studying kinesiology at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Upon graduation, Anna hopes to become a physical therapist.

Shelby Krebs, Morrison County -- Shelby has a passion for agriculture and is an active member of her 4-H club, the Snappy Elmdalers. She served as a county 4-H ambassador and was recognized as the Morrison County 4-H Youth Leader of the Year. In addition to her involvement in 4-H, Shelby has served as the Mississippi Valley Cattleman's Association Beef Princess and the Morrison County Dairy Princess. She hopes to continue her passion for animals and agriculture in her future goals. Shelby will be attending the University of Minnesota, Crookston. She plans to study animal science and agricultural business. After graduation, she plans to become a veterinarian.

Alternate -- Belle Sand, Kandiyohi County

CCI Innovation in Agriculture Scholarship

A one-time $1,000 scholarship to be used toward education expenses at a post-secondary institution in the United States. Applicants must intend to pursue a degree in agriculture, with a preference for students pursuing a degree in agronomy, soil science, horticulture, plant science, Ag economics, agribusiness or a closely related field.

Recipient

Haley Van Nurden, Kandiyohi County -- Haley has been an active member of her community. She has demonstrated exceptional community involvement through her dedicated participation in 4-H, FFA, National Honor Society and her church. She has helped raise money for Special Olympics, participated in the annual Adopt-A-Highway ditch cleanup, hosted a pancake breakfast, delivered meals to those in need and landscaped for community members. She has also served on the State 4-H Swine Committee and had the honor of receiving the state 4-H Key Award. She will be attending South Dakota State University to major in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Agricultural Communications. In the future, she hopes to assist farmers in making decisions to improve their farm profitability.

Alternate -- Riley Dreher, Beltrami County

Searles Family Scholarship

A one-time $500 scholarship for a present or former Olmsted County 4-H'er who will be entering their freshman year of college, based on scholastic achievements, community and 4-H involvement, leadership roles, and positions.

Recipients

Catherine Williamson, Olmsted County -- Catherine has been an active member of her 4-H club, the Newhaven Sodbusters. Through her club involvement, she has been able to give back to her community in a variety of ways. She has enjoyed ringing bells for the Salvation Army, baking cookies for elderly neighbors and cleaning ditches in her community. She also volunteers her time at Rideability helping with horse riding lessons. Catherine will be studying Nursing at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. She plans to become a registered nurse, and later a nurse practitioner.

Note: Only one eligible applicant.

No alternate.

4-H Adult Scholarship

A one-time $2,000 scholarships for 4-H alumni or volunteers who have been a 4-H member for a minimum of 5 years and/or a minimum of 2-year volunteer, and are/will be 30 years old or older by January 1 of the calendar year, for pursuing training or education with the purpose of job re-entry or transition.

No applicant.

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