Congratulations to the 2020 Minnesota 4-H scholarship recipients! These outstanding 4-H youth and alumni across Minnesota stood out among the more than 100 applicants.
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 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Selected recipients may re-apply annually, up to three times.
Recipients
- Luke Borst, Olmsted County – Luke has been an active member and leader of the Burr Oak Beavers 4-H Club. He has excelled in the dairy steer, rabbits, potatoes, vegetable gardening, and entomology projects, receiving high honors for his dairy steers and potatoes. Luke has also volunteered in numerous community organizations. He plans to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, to study agricultural communications and marketing. His goal is to have a career promoting dairy products and teaching the public about the benefits of a strong dairy industry.
- Madison Luebke, Goodhue County – Madison has a passion for community service. She has volunteered countless hours in 4-H and other organizations, such as Feed My Starving Children, her church and various sports camps. Her 4-H experiences have taught her hard work and perseverance. Madison will attend Minnesota State University Mankato to study aviation. With a passion for flying and traveling, she hopes to become a pilot.
Alternate
- Cooper Hancock, Winona County
David E. Pace and Valerie Halverson Pace Leadership Scholarship
Two one-time $1,000 scholarship s awarded annually to an entering accepted freshman or a continuing sophomore, based on his/her leadership experiences in 4-H, school and community. Award funds educational expenses at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
Recipients
- Eileen Otto, Wright County – Eileen has been a member and leader in the 4-H program for more than 14 years. She served as a state and county ambassador and camp counselor for several years. She also served as a delegate to the National 4-H Conference in Washington, DC. She was selected as a delegate to the 2020 Global 4-H Summit in Tanzania. Eileen plans to attend the College of St. Benedict to study political science and hopes to enter public service, government or politics.
- Zoey Schentzel, Dakota County – Zoey has been a leader in the 4-H Empire Rockets club. She as been a Dakota County 4-H Ambassador, 4-H Federation and a camp counselor. She has mentored younger kids in the 4-H sheep project and is active in musical theater and choir. She will attend South Dakota State University, majoring in agricultural communications.
Alternate
- Christian Willoughby, Stearns County
Ada and Helmuth Schroeder Scholarship
Five one-time $1,000 scholarships awarded to present or former Minnesota 4-H members who will be entering their freshman year at Minnesota college or university, based on scholastic achievements, community and 4-H involvement, leadership roles and positions.
Recipients
- Laura Davis, Beltrami County – Laura has been an active 4-H member and leader for 13 years. She has served as a youth member on the Minnesota State Fair Livestock Committee and contributed greatly to her community through her involvement in 4-H, National Honor Society and sports. Her love and passion for animals has guided her in making plans for her future. Laura will attend the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities studying animal science and wants to become a veterinarian.
- Katilyn Grundhoeffer, Benton County – Katilyn has been a leader for the horse project and many others and her 4-H club, the Shooting Stars. She will attend St. Cloud Community and Technical College, with a goal of becoming a cardiovascular technician.
- Emily Jopp, Stearns County – Emily is a very active member of her school, 4-H and her community, taking part in National Honor Society, Swim Team, and Spring Musical Pit Band. She received the National Honor Society Outstanding Community Service Award for more than 100 hours of community service. After attending a mission trip to Haiti in 2017, she became passionate about the food shortage crisis. Emily plans to combine her passion for helping others, agriculture, and genetics by pursuing a degree in plant science at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
- Eliza Meyer, Polk County – Eliza has served in leadership roles in her 4-H club and in 2019, she was selected as a delegate to the National 4-H Conference. She is the acting secretary for the Crookston Youth Foundation Board and the acting co-chairman of the Polk County Advisory Board. Eliza has a passion for helping people and wishes to pursue a career in health care. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota, Rochester to study health sciences and hopes to become a surgeon.
- Isaac Rott, Olmsted County – Isaac has been growing his leadership skills in 4-H for 10 years, most notably in the dairy project. Along with mentoring younger people, Isaac has been on his county’s dairy evaluation team and received honors at the local, state, and national levels. Isaac will attend the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, pursuing a degree in animal science.
- Ainsley Schwerr, Dakota County – Ainsley has been a leader in her 4-H club and community. She has been the President of her 4-H club for the past two years and a County Ambassador for the past four years. She has volunteered many hours with WE Teens Service Group, DECA, Normandale’s Spanish Club, and Liturgical Dance Team. She will be attending Hamline University to pursue a degree in sustainability.
- Melissa Seljan, Dodge County – Melissa has been junior superintendent for the poultry and rabbit projects, and helped make a new building on the county fairgrounds into a showcase for these projects. She has been a leader in her 4-H club, the Canitstio Young Farmers, and the Dodge County YLC. Melissa plans to attend Winona State University to study nursing.
Alternate
- Kestlyn Willert, Lyon County
CCI Innovation in Agriculture Scholarship
A one-time $1,000 scholarship for studying at a post-secondary institution in the United States. Applicants must pursue a degree in agriculture, such as agronomy, soil science, horticulture, plant science, ag economics or agribusiness.
Recipient
- Bailee Schiefelbein, Meeker County – Bailee volunteers at a food shelf and organizes an event called Small Towns Stand Tall. She has also been involved in sports, speech and National Honor Society. Through her experiences in 4-H, especially the sheep project, Bailee has found a passion for agriculture. She will attend Oklahoma State University, majoring in agricultural communications and animal science. She hopes to work for an organization to promote agriculture, preferably in policy.
Alternate
- Kestlyn Willert, Lyon County
Searles Family Scholarship
Two one-time $250 scholarships for a present or former Olmsted County 4-H’er entering their freshman year of college, based on scholastic achievements, community and 4-H involvement, leadership roles and positions.
Recipients
- Casey Neumann, Olmsted County – Casey has held multiple officer positions in his 4-H club, the Interstate Hi-Flyers and is very involved in the rabbit project. Casey volunteers for various 4-H projects, the “Litter Bit Better” program, and at the Riverbend Nursing Home. He plans to attend St. Cloud State University to pursue a degree in sports management.
- Jessica Kaiser, Olmsted County – Jessica has competed several 4-H project areas at the county and state levels. She volunteers for Operation Christmas Child, Bear Creek Services, Food for Kidz, Salvation Army, and the Ronald McDonald House. Jessica will attend the Rochester Community and Technical College and Winona State University’s 2+2 elementary and early childhood education program. She plans to become an elementary school teacher.
Alternate
- Isaac Rott, Olmsted County
4-H Adult Scholarship
Two one-time $1,000 scholarships for 4-H alumni or volunteers who have been a 4-H member for five years and/or a volunteer for two years. The scholarship helps them to pursue training or education for job re-entry or transition.
Recipients
- Michelle Ignaszewski, Jackson County – Michelle has been a 4-H adult volunteer for four years. She was active as a parent of 4-H members in the Delafield Digger Club. Michelle serves as a club leader and spent six years on her county Extension committee. She will attend Ridgewater Community college to study massage therapy. She hopes to start her own massage practice or work for a chiropractic clinic.
No alternate