ProVision Partners Cooperative has awarded scholarships to 12 students as part of the Cooperative’s Careers in Agriculture Scholarship program.
Abigail Daul, Angela Edelburg, Kayla Johnson, Katerina Kolzow, Morgan Masanz, Emily Pankratz, Mitchel Paul, Paige Proctor, Hailey Rueth, Achtyn Schmitz, Dara Stichert and Mariah Zawislan were all recently awarded scholarships from ProVision Partners Cooperative as part of the Cooperative’s Careers in Agriculture Scholarship program.
“The increasing need for specialization in agriculture makes a variety of agricultural career options possible. Our goal is to encourage more young people to pursue future education and to consider a field in agriculture as a career,” says Rob Larson, General Manager.
Students from the Central Wisconsin area were invited to apply and asked to indicate their plans to enroll in a two- or four-year program or farm short course in the fall of 2019, as well as supply general information about themselves. Candidates were scored on scholastic achievement, leadership, written essay questions and perceived ability to contribute to society and agriculture in the future.
Scholarship recipients for 2019 are:
Abigail Daul is from Mosinee and is the daughter of Ben Daul and Rachel Stubfors. She’s a senior at Marshfield High School and plans to attend Southwest Technical College. Since seventh grade, Abigail has been very active in FFA on livestock and dairy judging teams, and in agricultural outreach programs to other area youths interested in agricultural and dairy careers.
Angela Edelburg is the daughter of Gary and Patty Edelburg of Scandinavia. She will graduate from Amherst High School this spring and plans to study animal science at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Throughout the last seven years, Angela has been active in FFA, 4H and the Junior Holstein Association, as well as National Honor Society, band and high school athletics.
Kayla Johnson from Granton is the daughter of Duane and Charlotte Johnson, and a 2019 graduate of Granton High School. Kayla will also major in animal science at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and plans to declare an emphasis in companion animals. She is depending on education to be her career guide into potential opportunities in veterinary science, animal training and rescue, or teaching.
Katerina Kolzow is from Colby and is the daughter of Jeffrey and Cynthia Kolzow. A 2019 graduate of Colby High School, she plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls pursuing a degree in ag marketing and communications with a minor in Spanish. FFA and 4H have kept Katerina busy in the past and she hopes to continue to be an advocate for ag by speaking at economics seminars and conferences, as well as through social media.
Morgan Masanz is the daughter of Scott and Mary Lou Masanz of Arpin. As a graduate of Pittsville High School, Morgan’s next stop is Mid-State Technical College to pursue an associate degree in nursing, then on to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for her bachelor’s degree. Always active in 4H, Morgan devoted many hours as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) as well, throughout her high school years.
Emily Pankratz is from Auburndale and is the daughter of Bruce and Peggy Pankratz. She plans to attend Lakeshore Technical College for dairy herd management following her spring graduation from Auburndale High School. Emily is a real proponent of the cooperative business model saying, “Cooperatives help support farmers so they can thrive . . . and the community so it can grow and achieve its full potential.”
In the future, Emily is looking forward to owning and managing her own dairy herd. Mitchel Paul hails from Edgar and is the son of Mark and Tracy Paul. As a 2019 graduate of Edgar High School, he plans to study agri-business at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the fall. Mitchel aspires to contribute to the welfare of the agricultural industry in the political arena by helping make farming more profitable and sustainable, and maybe even starting his own dairy cooperative someday.
Mitchel Paul hails from Edgar and is the son of Mark and Tracy Paul. As a 2019 graduate of Edgar High School, he plans to study agri-business at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the fall. Mitchel aspires to contribute to the welfare of the agricultural industry in the political arena, by helping make farming more profitable and sustainable, and maybe even starting his own dairy cooperative someday.
Paige Proctor calls Junction City home. She is the daughter of John and Anne Proctor and graduates in May from Stevens Point Area Senior High School. In the fall, Paige plans to attend Harvard where she’ll pursue a biology major. Throughout high school, Paige received many competitive show honors, as well as recognition for educational excellence, leadership and contribution to her community.
Hailey Rueth is the daughter of Rick and Pam Rueth from Loyal. Recent employment as a CNA helped lead Hailey toward a health care/radiology career she will continue at Western Technical College-Lacrosse following her graduation from Loyal High School in May. Always very busy helping on her family’s dairy farm, Hailey found time in high school for community volunteering, church events and athletics. Hailey is a member of Loyal’s 2019 Girls’ State Basketball Championship Team.
Dara Stichert is from Chili, Wisconsin, and her parents are Dana and Denise Stichert. She is a 2019 graduate of Marshfield High School and plans to attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison for and undergraduate degree in sociology. From there, it will be on to law school. “With my background in rual farming, environmental law is the path for me,” saya Dara. Participation in the FFa’s Market Animal Project, tennis, teaching Sunday School and horse shows have kept Dara very bust for the last nine years.
Ashtyn Schmitz is the daughter of Chris and Jana Schmitz from Greenwood. She is a 2019 graduate of Greenwood High School and, in the fall, plans to attend Northcentral Technical College to pursue certification as a dental hygienist. Throughout high school, Ashtyn had an active schedule of interests including FFA, student council, athletics and community volunteering.
Mariah Zawislan is the daughter of Ricky and Robin Zawislan from Stratford, and a 2019 graduate of Stratford High School. In the fall, she’ll be heading to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to pursue a degree in occupational therapy. Then, she hopes to take her educational skills to the Marshfield Clinic as a staff therapist. Community volunteering, athletics and Student Council activities occupied much of Mariah’s free time during high school.
Author: News Desk
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