IBCA announces scholarship opportunities for Indiana students

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Beef Cattle Assoc. (IBCA) is pleased to announce a new scholarship opportunity. The application process will continue through March 31.

To help students take a thoughtful approach to their selection process and provide financial assistance for a college education, the IBCA is awarding up to $5,000 in scholarships this year. Applicants must be an Indiana resident whose family is actively involved in the beef industry and are current members of the IBCA.

In addition, applicants must be an existing secondary student in good standing or high school senior. In order to be considered, students must complete an application which includes four essay questions. The application may be obtained on the Indiana Beef website at www.indianabeef.org or by calling the IBCA office at 317-293-2333.

Applications will be reviewed, and the scholarship winner(s) announced no later than June 1.

Holcomb encourages students to apply to Indiana STEM Team

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Gov. Eric. Holcomb, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick, and Treasurer of State Kelly Mitchell invite Hoosier students to apply for the 2019 Governor’s STEM Team. Holcomb developed the competition in 2017 to highlight Indiana’s elite high school students for their work in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM.

“A firm foundation in STEM offers Indiana high school students tremendous career opportunities,” he said. “I am proud to celebrate those who demonstrate excellence in science, technology, engineering, and math and look forward to showcasing the talents and achievements of our students.”

The program honors four outstanding high school students for their exemplary performance in one of the STEM subjects. Winning students each receive a $1,000 college scholarship from Indiana’s College Choice 529 Direct Savings plan and letterman jackets identifying them as members of the STEM Team.

Applications and nominations may be submitted online at https://secure.in.gov/apps/govstemawards and the deadline for nominations is 11:59 p.m. ET on March 31. Winners will be announced at a Statehouse ceremony in early May.

Breeding females added to Indiana Celebration of Champions

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana State Fair Board and Indiana State Fair Commission have approved the addition of breeding females to the 2019 Indiana State Fair Celebration of Champions.

This transformative event provides monetary awards to the best of the best at the Indiana State Fair to be held August 2-18 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis.

In addition to the 26 champions currently recognized at Celebration of Champions, the August 18, 2019, event will also include 15 breeding female champions that exemplify the best seedstock the state of Indiana has to offer.

The Celebration of Champions recognizes 4-H youth competing at the Indiana State Fair by offering a dinner event featuring monetary awards that celebrate achievement, scholarship and hard work. The Celebration is entirely underwritten by philanthropic support.

Zionsville teens take top honors in national wool contest

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Two Zionsville teens placed in the top 10 at the National Make it With Wool Contest held at the American Sheep Industry annual convention in New Orleans.

Sophee Dull, a Zionsville Community High School junior, and Molly Grotjan, a Zionsville native and Purdue University freshman, both placed in the top 10 in the junior (ages 13-16) and senior (ages 17-24) classes, respectively. Dull and Grotjan won the state Make it With Wool Contest in August 2018 and then advanced to the national contest.

Both competed with other contestants representing states from across the country. Dull sewed and modeled a camel-colored wool coat made from Italian cashmere, and Grotjan constructed a mohair houndstooth patterned taupe, cream, and gray wool coat.

The competition showcases and promotes the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics, yarns, and fibers and encourages personal creativity in sewing, knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, and other needlework arts. All contestants must select, construct, and model their own garment(s) made from more than 60 percent wool content.

The national contest is sponsored by the American Wool Council, the American Sheep Industry, and American Sheep Industry Women. For more information, visit the National Make It with Wool Contest online at https://bit.ly/2CmwmNV

PLACING IN THE TOP 10 of competitors in the National Make it With Wool Contest with their coats are Molly Grotjan (left) and Sophee Dull, both of Zionsville, Ind.

(Photo provided)

Culver’s kicks off its fifth annual FFA essay contest

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. — Culver’s continued its tradition of celebrating National FFA Week by launching its fifth annual FFA Essay Contest last month. Three essay writers will be chosen to receive $7,500, $5,000, or $2,500 for their FFA chapters.

The contest is an opportunity for students to show their knowledge of and passion for the agricultural industry. This year, contestants are being asked to respond to this prompt: The average age of a farmer is 58. Why is it important for more young people to get involved with agriculture? Why should they be excited to join the agricultural industry?

FFA members are encouraged to submit essays of 1,000 words or fewer at Culvers.com/essaycontest until April 8 at 5 p.m. CT. FFA chapters can use the awarded funds for agricultural education initiatives and projects, or to attend the 2019 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis from Oct. 30-Nov. 2.

Edge Dairy offering student scholarship opportunity

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative is looking to award two $1,000 college scholarships to children of its members.

Applicants must be high school seniors, high school graduates, or college undergraduates enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course of study at an accredited four-year college or university or a two-year program at a technical, junior, or community college. The area of study does not need to be in agriculture, but preference may be given to students pursuing a degree in an agricultural field.

Only dependents of Edge members qualify. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, leadership, participation in school and community activities, academic honors, goals and aspirations, recommendations, and work experience.

The application with full guidelines is available on Edge’s website at https://bit.ly/2UHSJ8N and applications must be postmarked by May 1. For more information, contact Lauren Brey at 920-883-0020, ext. 107 or lbrey@voiceofmilk.com