"At the heart of a growing America" 

Twenty-three graduating high school seniors have been selected to receive a 2002 "At the heart of a growing America" agricultural scholarship from 1st Farm Credit Services, according to Wayne Gustafson, president and CEO.

The $750 scholarships to pursue an agriculture or agriculture-related curriculum at a university, college or community college are again being provided in 1st FCS’ 42-county service territory in this year’s program.

Selection for the scholarships is based on a combination of academic achievement, community and agricultural youth organization involvement, and a brief essay. More than 80 applications were received for this year’s program, which was open to 1st Farm Credit Services client and non-client families. The scholarship applications were judged by an independent panel of agribusiness, youth, education and farm organization leaders.

"The purpose of our "At the heart of a growing America" agricultural scholarship program is to assist deserving high school seniors to further their education in an agriculture or agriculture-related field of study, and to help promote agriculture as a growing field of career opportunities," Gustafson explains.

"This is one more program 1st FCS has in place to assist young future farmers, as well as farm and rural youth looking for a career in the agricultural industry. We are very pleased to be able to give something back to agriculture and the communities we serve," he adds.

Following is information about the scholars selected in the various 1st Farm Credit Services offices:

Aledo - Dustin Marston, Joy

Marston is the son of Randy and Denise Marston. He will be attending Muscatine Community College this fall studying farm management. He is graduating 7^th in his class from Westmer High School where he was active in FFA, serving as vice president of the Greenhands his freshman year. He participated in FFA’s quiz bowl, crops team and soil judging, and has attended many leadership conferences. This past year Marston was chairman of the ag plot, responsible for lining up seed corn, chemicals and other inputs. He earned his State FFA Degree during his junior year and is a 10-year member of the Joy Eliza Ag 4-H Club. Marston also was a member of the National Honor Society. He is a confirmed member of the Eliza Church.

Henkel is the son of Dennis and Diane Henkel. He will attend Kishwaukee Community College this fall studying agribusiness and then transfer to Illinois State University. He is graduating in the top quarter of his class from Mendota Township High School where he was very involved in FFA, serving as chapter vice president and Section 7 vice president, and attending state and national conventions. Henkel attended the Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Conference and Leadership Camp. He was a Student Council member for four years, as well as freshman and sophomore class president.

Ringger is the son of Stan and Colleen Ringger. He will attend a junior college this fall and then transfer to either Illinois State University or the University of Illinois to study agribusiness or agriculture finance. He is graduating from Gridley High School where he was active in FFA for four years, serving as vice president and participating in livestock, meat, soil, Environthon and mechanics judging. Ringger is a nine-year member of 4-H, serving as president, vice president and treasurer, as well as showing swine. He also was involved in Future Business Leaders of America, pep and marching band, and Students Against Driving Drunk. In addition, he is active in his church and community and has been a volunteer for many building projects.

Adams is the son of Richard and Brenda Adams. He will attend Joliet Junior College this fall studying agricultural education. He is graduating from Central High School where he was very active in FFA, serving as chapter vice president and participating in soil, livestock and crops judging, as well as parliamentary procedure and public speaking competitions. Adams is president of the Chebanse Ag 4-H Club and treasurer of the Kankakee County 4-H Federation after serving as president the previous year. His 4-H projects consist of swine and sheep. He won the Showman of Showmen competition at the Kankakee County Fair this past year and placed 19^th at the state fair. He is a member of his church’s youth group.

Johnson is the son of Ricky and Deborah Johnson. He will be attending Western Illinois University this fall studying agricultural business. He is graduating 4th in his class from LaHarpe High School where he was active in FFA, serving as president, treasurer and a member of the soil and livestock judging teams. He also attended the Farm Bureau/FFA Leadership Conference. Johnson received the DeKalb Agricultural Award in March 2002 and was a member of the Happy, Handy, Healthy Helpers 4-H Club from 1992-2000. He was vice president of his senior class and a member of the National Honor Society. Johnson is an acolyte and a confirmed member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Aupperle is the son of Dennis and Cindy Aupperle. He will attend Illinois Central College this fall studying agribusiness management. He is graduating 11th in his class from Princeville High School where he was active in FFA, serving as sentinel and participating on contest teams including meats evaluation, agribusiness management, land use and livestock judging. Aupperle is on the Princeville Leadership Team. He was a member of the National Honor Society and received the Presidential Award for Academic Achievement the past three years.

Voorhees is the son of Martin and Carol Voorhees. He will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying agriculture business. He is graduating in the top quarter of his class from Washington Community High School where he was on his class executive board for four years, played trumpet in the band and was a Student Council honor member. Voorhees is a nine-year member of 4-H, serving as president and secretary, showing swine, growing crops and participating in woodworking and baking. He is a deacon at his church and has participated in mission trips to California and North Carolina.

Hagemann is the son of Michael and Cynthia Hagemann. He will be attending either Madison Area Technical College or Nashville Auto-Diesel College this fall studying truck and tractor diesel mechanics. He is graduating from Forreston High School where he was active in FFA for four years, serving as vice president, receiving the Outstanding FFA Member Award and placing eighth in the state livestock judging tournament. Hagemann is a 10-year member of the German Valley Golden Eagles 4-H Club, where he has served as co-president, vice president, treasurer and historian, and worked on many committees. He is a member of the Forreston Grove Church.

Swanson is the son of Daniel and Tamara Swanson. He will attend Western Illinois University this fall studying agriculture business. He is graduating in the top third of his class from AlWood High School where he was very active in FFA for four years and attended the Farm Bureau Youth Conference as a junior. Swanson was involved in FFA’s PALS program as a mentor for junior high children without a father figure in their household or who have been in trouble. He is a member of a local church youth group.

Macomb - Julie Mellert, Canton

Mellert is the daughter of Frank and Jane Mellert. She will attend Spoon River College this fall studying agriculture. She is graduating 1st in her class from Canton High School where she was active in FFA, serving as chapter president and Section 12 reporter. She earned her State FFA Degree last year, was named Star Chapter Farmer her junior year and participated in contests such as public speaking, soil judging and job interviewing. Mellert is an 11-year member of the Busy Bees 4-H Club, serving as president and participating in shows, fairs and camps. She also is a member of the Fulton County 4-H Federation, serving as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. She also was involved in the Fulton County Farm Bureau Agriculture in the Classroom program.

Wolf is the daughter of Dan and Monica Wolf. She will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying agricultural engineering. She is graduating 1st in her class from Bushnell-Prairie City High School where she was active in FFA, serving as chapter president and section vice president and participating in many community activities. As a 4-H member, she has been involved in the community and county and serves as 4-H Federation vice president. Wolf was a member of the Inter-act Club and tutored elementary school students and participated in clean-up projects around her school and community. She is active in her church, teaching Vacation Bible School during the past four summers.

Hankes is the son of James and Kae Hankes. He will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying agricultural and environmental communications and education. He is graduating in the top 13 percent of his class from Galesburg High School where he served as FFA chapter president and Section 4 vice president. He also earned his State FFA Degree. Hankes has been active in 4-H since he was 8 years old and was a member of the 2000 Illinois State 4-H meats judging team. He attended the Illinois Agricultural Youth Institute, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. He was agricultural/vocational/technological editor for his high school newspaper and received his high school’s Academic Excellence Award.

Schaefer is the son of Richard and Kimberly Schaefer. He will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying crop sciences. He is graduating in the top third of his class from Seneca Township High School where he was active in FFA, serving as chapter president and reporter. He was a reporter and treasurer for his 4-H Club and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Science Club, SADD and Peer Helpers. Schaefer is involved in his church’s youth group and has served the community by visiting nursing homes and working at food drives.

Bales is the daughter of Charles and Deborah Bales. She will be attending Oklahoma State University this fall studying agricultural business. She is graduating 5th in her class from Mount Carroll High School where she served as chapter FFA president and Section II sentinel and earned the Greenhand Leadership Award and Chapter Scholarship Award. She also was a member of the state FFA band and participated in crops, livestock and land use/soil judging. Bales has been involved in 4-H since 1995, placing third individually at the Quarter Horse Congress and sixth individually at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Round-up. She also was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, yearbook managing editor and was on the volleyball team.

Rosengren is the son of Joe and Pat Rosengren. He will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying agribusiness, farm and financial management. He is graduating 8th in his class from Newman Central Catholic High School where he was Student Council treasurer. He also has been a volunteer at the local medical center and a reader and usher at his church. Rosengren served as teen staff member of Operation Snowball, an anti-drug, alcohol and sex organization that hosts positive and drug-free activities such as a three-day lock-in weekend.

Floto is the daughter of Forrest and Pamela Floto. She will attend Sauk Valley Community College this fall studying to become a veterinarian technician. She is graduating in the top 10 percent of her class from Oregon High School where she was active in FFA, serving as vice president. She earned her Greenhand, Chapter and State FFA Degrees and was the Star Farmer for Section 1 in 2000. Floto is a nine-year member of the Circle M 4-H Club, serving as secretary and winning an award for outstanding bookkeeping. She was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in sports such as basketball and soccer. For the past nine summers, she served as a volunteer at the Ogle County Fairgrounds.

Walsh is the son of Edward and Norma Walsh. He will attend Western Illinois University or Joliet Junior College this fall studying agriculture business. He is graduating 10th in his class from Serena High School where he was active in FFA, serving as vice president, earning his State FFA Degree and taking first place in the state beef proficiency competition. Walsh attended the FFA Leadership Camp and the Washington, D.C., Leadership Conference. He was treasurer of the National Honor Society and Student of the Month. He is an altar server at his church.

Lewis is the daughter of John and Carrol Lewis. She will be attending the University of Illinois this fall studying natural resources and environmental sciences. She is graduating 1st in her class from Delavan Community High School where she was active in FFA, serving on the soil judging, parliamentary procedure and ag management teams as well as participating in public speaking. Lewis won the district competition for placement in Agricultural Services as well as Star in Agriscience. She has received many awards for her agriscience project, which focused on using nitrification inhibitors to reduce nitrogen loss. She is a 10-year 4-H member, belongs to a community youth group and has taught Bible School. Lewis was a member of the National Honor Society, band, Science Club, Spanish Club and Student Council.

Kahle is the son of Steve and Kathy Kahle. He will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying agribusiness. He is graduating in the top third of his class from Prairie Central High School where he was involved in FFA for four years. He is a nine-year member of 4-H. He has kept a small swine herd for both 4-H and FFA and has an SAE record book. Through 4-H he volunteered for the Salvation Army, and as an FFA service project he helped the American Red Cross collect money. Kahle was one of the first people to start an Ecumenical Youth Group in Chatsworth. He was a member of the National Honor Society and participated on his high school math team.

Litherland is the daughter of Lyle and Vicki Litherland. She will be attending the University of Illinois this fall studying animal science. She is graduating in the top 13 percent of her class from Bureau Valley High School where she was active in FFA, serving as president, participating in Ag in the Classroom, organizing Ag 2002 and helping build a greenhouse. She is an 11-year member of the Western Winning Wonders 4-H Club, participating in projects such as sewing, baking, flower arrangements, visual arts and horses. At the state level, Litherland has competed in sewing and showing horses in gaming and pleasure events. She was co-captain of the high school volleyball and basketball teams and helped with junior high volleyball camps in the summer. She is involved in her church’s youth group.

Drebes is the daughter of Steve and Jeanne Drebes. She will attend Northwest Missouri State University this fall studying agricultural business. She is graduating 7th in her class from Payson Seymour High School where she was active in FFA for four years, serving as chapter president, vice president and historian. She has participated in agricultural contests, chaired three committees and kept record books on her herd of Angus cattle. Drebes is an 11-year member of the Payson Progressors 4-H Club, serving as president, treasurer and reporter. She was a member of the National Honor Society and is a lifetime member of the Society of Academic Achievement. Drebes is active in her church’s youth group.

Leick is the daughter of Thomas and Karen Leick. She will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying animal sciences. She is graduating 12th in her class from Boylan Catholic High School where she played the trumpet and served as section leader in the jazz and concert bands. She was treasurer of the National Honor Society and participated on the track team for three years and in cross-country for two years. Leick is vice president of the Centerville Knot Ketchers 4-H Club. During the past seven years, she has raised pygmy goats and Hereford steers. She has worked as an aide for Vacation Bible School and teaches religious education classes.

Cappel is the son of Jeff and Annette Cappel. He will be attending the University of Illinois this fall studying crop sciences. He is graduating in the top quarter of his class from Rochelle Township High School where he was active in FFA for four years, serving as treasurer. His chapter hosted an Ag Day for children in area grade schools and sold and helped put SMV signs on farm wagons. Cappel is a six-year member of 4-H, serving as vice president, treasurer and reporter. His club participated in the Memorial Day parade in Rochelle and planted flowers at nursing homes in town. He was a member of the National Honor Society.

No applications were received from the Woodstock office this year. The regional selection committee awarded this scholarship to a Morrison office applicant.