Local FFA members were among the 83 Kansas students awarded $1,000 Ford Trucks/Built Ford Tough scholarships during the third session of the 86th annual Kansas FFA State Convention on Thursday, May 29.

The Built Ford Tough FFA Scholarship Program recognizes FFA members’ talents and accomplishments while encouraging their future academic achievements.

“We’re proud to recognize these student leaders for their growth in the FFA and passion for the agriculture industry,” said Daryl Simmons, Kansas FFA Association reporter. “We thank Ford Trucks/Built Ford Tough for providing financial support for our students’ educational goals.”

This year’s recipients are, from Abilene: Taylor Heinrich; Anderson County: Bryce Dieker;  Arkansas City: Elyssa Day; Atchison County: Leah Scholz; Blue Valley: Kyle Apley; Marshall Carey; Buhler: Shelby Mazzoleni; Baylee Siemens; Dusty Wolf; Burlington: Taylor Rossillon; Central Heights: Tristan Davis; Centralia: Austin Stallbaumer;Centre: Ty Simons; Chaparral: Jaden Miller; Chapman: Drew Miller; Cheylin: Ty Carmichael; Clay Center: Shayna Braun; Shelby Bryant; Columbus: Blake Martin;Concordia: Clay Boley; Crest: Landon Stephens; Elkhart: Taylor Coen; Kacee Hoskinson; Ell Saline: Justin Schmutz; Ellinwood: Colton Churchill; Ellis: Rachel Keller;Erie: Tyler Thiesing; Garden City:  Joanie Schultz; Girard: McKenna Belcher; Haven Chapter: Mary Fishburn; Annemarie Wortz; Hiawatha: Marshal Swearingen; Hill City:Allison Nickelson; Hillsboro: Cody Delk; Hodgeman County: Zech Shiew; Holcomb: Jo Jarnagin; Holton: Amber Searles; Horton: Breanna Compton; Hoxie: Lacie Campbell; Humboldt: Kolbyn Allen; Inman: Kristen Knackstedt; Jayhawk Linn: Dirk Troth; Labette Co: Shelby Bussen; Lawrence Free State: Karen Schneck; Louisburg:Brecken Sigg; Manhattan: Anna Jackson; Marmaton Valley: Emily Meiwes; Michael Swift-Plaschka; Marysville: Coleman Forst; Minneapolis: Trisha Kiser; Mission Valley:Sadie Boline; Kameron Kraus; Newton: Justin Mosiman; Ottawa: Daniel White; Brianna Yates; Paola: Tera Brandt; Kaylee Hill; Pike Valley: Brooke Jensen; Pleasant Ridge:Victoria Thompson; Pleasanton: Autumn Secrest; Prairie View:  Allison Butler; Riley County: Kaitlyn Bledsoe; Rock Creek: Travis Blenn; Rock Hills: Chase Wagner;Russell: Alexandra Ptacek; Sabetha:  Emily Meeks; St Francis: Bailey Merklin; Salina Central: Matt Rowe; Scott City: Aubrey Davis; South Barber: Elizabeth Miller;Southeast of Saline: Jim Weller; Southern Coffey County: Miranda Alumbaugh; Southwestern Heights: Tucker Thorp; Spring Hill: Krysteena Redman; Tonganoxie:Elizabeth Patrick; Ashley Thurston; Uniontown: Chase Gleason; Wamego: Dallas Holz;  Wellington: Kenneth Easterl; Abigail McComb; West Elk: Sarah Bellar; Ashley Harrod; Winfield: Dylan Bowman.

Orscheln Farm & Home Stores of Kansas awarded eight, $1,000 scholarships to FFA members from across the state during the third session of the 86th Kansas FFA Convention on May 29.

The Orscheln Farm & Home Stores scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors of Kansas who plan to attend a four-year program or a two-year program with the intention of transferring to a university or college majoring in agriculture in the state of Kansas.

Students who are awarded the scholarship are four-year members of the Kansas FFA Association and have a keen interest in the family farm and its importance to society. Scholarship recipients demonstrate outstanding leadership, community service, exhibit good character and moral traits, and have excelled scholastically during high school.

This year’s recipients are, from Chapman: Dakota Caldwell; Louisburg: Brandi Feehan; Republic County: Jeff Hadachek; Marion-Florence: Nicholas Meyer; Girard:Bethany Schifferdecker; Axtell: Tracy Schmitz; Tricia Schmitz; Ell-Saline: Justin Schmutz.

The Kansas FFA Alumni awarded 37 scholarships to FFA members from across the state who will be attending the Washington Leadership Conference this summer in Washington, D.C. during the third session at the 86th Kansas FFA Convention on May 29.

At WLC, FFA members will be challenged to take their leadership skills to the next level by learning to know their purpose, value people, take action and serve others. Located in our nation's capitol, the conference is a five-day event that trains FFA members to make a positive impact in their school, local community, state and country.  

This year’s recipients are, from Buhler: Amber Finney, Baylee Siemans, Dakota Isaacson, Keli Schrag, Lacy Pitts; Centre: Cassidy Hill; Chapman: Baily Stein, Cheyenne Ferguson, Christina Hoffman, Devin Neal, Emilie Pearson, Kaylin Fink, Kyler Langvardt, Lane Coberly, Milea Anderson; Clay Center: Loren Williams, Rylee Reed; Coffeyville: Justin Hurst, Nick Westervelt; Girard: Kord Curran, Nikole Kroenke; Holton: Victoria Kimbrough; Jefferson West; Sami Montgomery; Marmaton Valley: Kaysha Elemenhorst, Trent Johnson; Marysville: Grace Luebcke, Hadley Schotte; Republic County: Joni Sheets, Madison Waite, Micayla Pachta, Nickalous Baxa, Waylon Sheetz;Rock Creek: Cassandra Ebert; Seaman: Aleksander Herring, Cassidy Powell; Washington County: Madison Stone.

The National FFA Foundation awarded $133,000 in scholarships to members across the state of Kansas. One hundred sixteen members were recognized for their scholarship awards during the third session of the 86th Kansas FFA Convention on May 29.

The National Foundation offers approximately $2 million, generously donated by numerous sponsors, to FFA member across the nation every year. The awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 to assist with their education at a two-year or four-year institution.

This years recipients are, from Axtell: Tracy Schmitz, Tricia Schmitz; Buhler: Colton Regier; Burlington: Richard Fischer; Centre: Justin Deines; Chapman: Dakota Caldwell, Josh Haynes; Cherryvale: Cody O'Brien; Doniphan West: Luke Rush; Ellinwood: Trey Mosier, Jared Oelke; Eudora: Justin Leonard; Girard: Bethany Schiffer;Great Bend: Logan Evers; Hanover: Wade Steinfort; Hillsboro: Chase Meisinger, Ethan Oborny; Labette County: Jenna Bogner; Linn: Samantha Meier; Louisburg; Taylor Cannon, Brandi Feehan; Newton: Taylor Ince; Republic County: Jeff Hadachek, Juliana Krotz;Riverton: Kevin Morrow; Royal Valley: Anna Pugh; Sabetha: Elizabeth Pierson; Southeast of Saline: Taylor Green, Kenda Peterson; Thunder Ridge: Hailey Abbott; Valley Heights: Bailey McKay.