Ag Futures Scholarship Program - Investing in the Future of Agriculture!
Our fourth year of partnering with Western State Bank for the Ag Futures Scholarship Program was nothing short of inspiring as the applicants shared who has inspired them within the agricultural industry or explained why secondary education for an agricultural related career was important to them. Hearing their personal connections and passions to and for agriculture paired with their numerous achievements, responsibilities, accomplishments, and recognitions made this the toughest class yet to determine just ten recipients. Not to mention, this was the biggest applicant pool, growing by over 50% from last year’s submissions.
Here are some highlights of the achievements from this year’s applicant pool:
- A handful of business owners! That’s right – OWNERS. Some students with the entrepreneurial spirit have already created and built their own businesses!
- A children’s book author!
- Students who have overcome heavy losses and tragic events.
- First generation college students.
Graduating high school seniors and current college or secondary school students who met a 3.5 GPA minimum and lived in a qualifying western Kansas or eastern Colorado county could apply and then submitted an essay, two letters of recommendation and resume showing their community involvement. A six-person panel, equally divided between American Implement and Western State Bank then reviewed and scored each applicant in four different categories, with scores then averaged. Thank you to all of this year's applicants and also their support systems who have helped shape these outstanding young adults - the future of agriculture is indeed bright!
This year’s ten recipients were:
Brady Ketzner of Cheyenne County
“My father has taught me some of the most important life lessons, most coming from an experience that involved working at the feed mill, hunting, or working with sheep. Seeing him start and grow his own business really opened my eyes and helped me realize that you can do whatever you put your mind to.”
Matthew Hendricks of Cheyenne County
“I hope I will inspire young adults and educate them about agriculture and the available opportunities we have in Northwest Kansas. This education will hopefully convince others to move back to the area and seek jobs in agriculture, helping our community to grow and prosper.”
Britton Grigsby of Clark County
“My dad and both of my grandpas have shown me how important agriculture is to the country and how important it is to continue to pass it on to the next generation of farmers and ranchers . . . I have learned the meaning of working hard and never giving up.”
Kelsey Selensky of Gove County
“I have learned that through the best successes, there is always a failure at some point and how you handle the situation will help you learn and grow. This is why I would have to say that my grandparents have inspired me through overcoming adversity, being tenacious, and learning to lead and also accept help.”
Baylor Deyoe of Grant County
“Grandpa Vergil’s legacy wasn’t handed to him . . . He had to earn every acre. His wit, grit and determination are what made him successful. While my circumstances are drastically different . . . I’ll sacrifice the same in order to keep his legacy alive.”
Braden Hoskinson of Haskell County
“. . . post-secondary education will help me hone my flexibility and adaptability, two qualities that are very much a part of modern agriculture. With advancing technology, in order to be able to succeed in the field of agriculture, you’ve got to be able to utilize it to your advantage.”
Kaylen Langhofer of Seward County
“If you love what you do you will never work a day in your life . . . Thank you, grandfather, for inspiring me with your dedication to agriculture and encouraging me to pursue what makes my heartbeat and never give up on my dreams.”
Lesly Dominguez of Sherman County
“My parents’ sacrifices are what have been my motivators and inspirations to reach my goals during my high school career. They will continue to be my inspiration in any challenges I face in the future.”
Madison Seyb of Stanton County
“My FFA advisor, Mrs. Kelly Sipes has helped solidify my decision to go into a career involving agriculture. She has a tremendous amount of courage, belief, and grit and it shows when she pushes me to try new skills or take a risk, believing that I can accomplish that challenge.”
Brennan Alridge of Wallace County
“Like every other kid in the Midwest, I grew up with a love for tractors and cows, but it wasn’t long until those small loves blossomed into a passion for the agricultural world I live in. I care deeply about my rural roots and will sacrifice my time and money to keep the world of agriculture moving in a forward direction.”
