The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced 31 recipients of the N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Scholarships to help fund higher education for youth who participate in State Fair Junior Livestock Shows. Funding comes from the annual Junior Livestock Sale of Champions.
- This weekend, we announced and recognized recipients of the N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Scholarships. A total of 30 students were each awarded $2,000 scholarships, and one student received a $2,500 scholarship sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina.
- They represented 23 counties across the state from Buncombe in the mountains to Pasquotank near the coast.
- These students are or will be attending universities and community colleges around the country. There are a lot of N.C. State University students but we also have students attending schools in Texas, Mississippi, Kansas, Alabama and Virginia.
- I am so proud that this educational scholarship exists and continues to be supported through the annual Junior Livestock Sale of Champions at the Fair.
- Since the program started in 2015, a total of $611,000 in scholarships has been awarded.
- Not only does this scholarship program invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders and advocates, but I know that by participating in youth livestock shows, these young people have a solid understanding of where their food comes from.
- That is especially important to me as many people today are two and three generations removed from the farm.
- We continue to have strong support from the ag community and businesses for the annual Sale of Champions.
- Last year’s Sale of Champions brought in the second highest total of bids at $213,000.
- A portion of the winning bid goes into the scholarship fund and for educational and promotional livestock programs.
- Any young person who participates in a junior livestock show at the State Fair is eligible to apply for a scholarship for higher education. They can apply every year they are in college.
- So, I consider it to be a great win for everyone involved whether they are grand champions or not.
- It’s a great program and I know these youth are going to go on to do big things. Congratulations to the students.
Following is a list of scholarship recipients by county. All scholarships are for $2,000 unless otherwise noted:
Buncombe
— Shelby Candler of Weaverville who attends Texas Tech University
Burke
— Ellie Shuping of Morganton who is undecided
Cabarrus
— Ana McAuley of Concord to attend Fort Scott Community College
Catawba
— Hannah Vanhoy of Catawba who attends N.C. State University
Chowan
— Lilah Byrum of Tyner to attend N.C. State University
Cleveland
— Chesney Gibson of Grover to attend N.C. State University
Craven
— Matthew Peluso of New Bern who attends the University of Mount Olive
Davidson
— Salem Ward of Lexington who attends UNC-Greensboro
Franklin
— Hope Latta of Zebulon who attends N.C. State University
Granville
— Abigail Shaeffer of Franklin to attend the University of North Carolina or East Carolina University
Haywood
— Addison Passmore of Waynesville who is undecided
Johnston
— Erin Burns of Clayton to attend N.C. State University
— Ann Taylor of Princeton who attends N.C. State University
— Ava Wood of Willow Spring who attends N.C. State University
— Charlotte Wood of Willow Spring who attends N.C. State University
Jones
— Kaitlyn Crompton of Trenton to attend Virginia Tech
Lenoir
— Kalen Barwick of Deep Run to attend N.C. State University
Lincoln
— Adelee Dillon of Vale to attend the University of Tennessee
— Jordan Mitchem of Vale to attend N.C. State University
Onslow
— Travis Cox of Richlands who attends Hutchinson Community College
Pasquotank
— Lane Markham of Elizabeth City who is undecided
Pitt
— Ashlyn Coxe of Greenville to attend N.C. State University or the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Randolph
— Laura Jessup of Ramseur to attend Montgomery Community College
— Caroline Scarlett of Asheboro to attend N.C. State University
— Taylor Singleberry of Asheboro to attend N.C. State University
Rowan
— Josie Correll of Cleveland who attends Oklahoma State University – Farm Credit Associations of NC Scholarship recipient – $2,500
— Talton Correll of Cleveland to attend Mississippi State University
Stokes
— Michelle Hartman of Walnut Cove who attends N.C. State University
Wayne
— Gideon Linton of Mount Olive to attend the University of Mount Olive
— Isaac Linton of Mount Olive who attends the University of Mount Olive
Wilson
— Clayton Ross Hinnant of Kenly to attend Auburn University or N.C. State University