The class of 2018 Farm Credit agriculture scholars was recognized during a scholarship luncheon at Farm Credit Illinois (FCI) in Mahomet Thursday, May 31.
A total of $60,000 of scholarships were awarded to 30 high school seniors. Each scholar receives $2,000 from FCI to pursue a degree in the field of agriculture. Twenty-seven of the students attended the recognition program.
Pictured above from left to right: Back row: Travis Kaeb of Buckley (Iroquois County), Noah Benedict of Dewey (Champaign County), Jebediah Baumgart of Norris City (White County), Jake Wente of Sigel (Cumberland County), Seth Mitchell of Olney (Richland County), Julissa Garcia of Gilman (Iroquois County), Bridget Payne of Harrisburg (Saline County); Middle row: Remington Henson of Wayne City (Wayne County), Tucker Marrs of Paris (Edgar County), Nicholas DeVries of New Douglas (Montgomery County), Clayton Smith of Sumner (Lawrence County), Peyton Tester of Witt (Montgomery County), Dillon White of Jacksonville (Morgan County), Tyler Hollis of Columbia (St. Clair County), Reed Jostes of Maroa (Macon County); Front row: Cole Herrmann of Hoyleton (Washington County), Megan Finfrock of Clinton (DeWitt County), Becca Royer of Oakland (Coles County), Parker Karrick of Patoka (Marion County), Alexis Ruemker of Columbia (Monroe County), Abigail Wagner of Milford (Iroquois County), Sarah Richey of Medora (Jersey County), Jenna Wheeler of Jacksonville (Morgan County), Cierra Crowell of Lincoln (Logan County), Sophia Hortin of Fisher (Champaign County), Benjamin Polo of Carlinville (Macoupin County)
This marks the fifteenth year of the Farm Credit agriculture scholarship program, which has awarded $400,000 to 329 students in central and southern Illinois since 2004. Scholarship selections are based on a combination of academic achievement, participation and leadership in school and community organizations, and the applicant’s commitment to an agricultural career.
“Farm Credit Illinois is proud to provide positive opportunities and lend support to young people with a passion for agriculture,” says Rod Stoll, vice president of marketplace engagement for FCI. “These scholars will assume careers that shape the future of agriculture and Rural America, in turn Helping Farm Families Succeed.”
Scholars not pictured above: Ryder Flener of Elizabethtown (Hardin County), Leah Hall of Carbondale (Jackson County), Callie McClay of Oakdale (Washington County), Calyssa Richie of New Berlin (Sangamon County)
