UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Eighteen Penn State students, including 15 enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences, were among 28 who received scholarships from the Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation during the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.
The students were recognized in a ceremony before the show's Junior Livestock Auction and Sale of Champions on Jan. 12.
The foundation awards scholarships to young people who are registered in a post-secondary educational institution and who have exhibited at the Farm Show. To be chosen, students must exhibit leadership qualities and excellent academic performance, according to the foundation.
Since 2005, the College of Agricultural Sciences has contributed additional scholarship money to students enrolled in good standing in the college who receive Farm Show scholarships. The amount of this year's scholarship is $3,500, and the college will add $2,000, bringing the total to $5,500.
"Exhibiting at the Farm Show requires a strong sense of responsibility and a willingness to work hard, which are traits that all of these students have demonstrated," said Tracy Hoover, the College of Agricultural Sciences' associate dean for undergraduate education. "The college is proud to join the Farm Show Scholarship Foundation in supporting the academic pursuits of these future agricultural leaders."
Following are the 15 College of Agricultural Sciences recipients of 2016 Farm Show scholarships:
--Megan Anderson, of Schellsburg, Bedford County, a freshman at Penn State Altoona majoring in animal science.
--Nicholas Arbasak, of Philadelphia, a junior majoring in animal science.
--Alexis Cash, of York, York County, a sophomore majoring in immunology and infectious disease.
--Amber Gabel, of Newport, Perry County, a junior majoring in animal science
--Amanda Hackinson, of Monongahela, Washington County, a sophomore majoring in Animal Science.
--Justin Heasley, of New Bethlehem, Clarion County, a freshman at Penn State DuBois majoring in wildlife technology and in wildlife and fisheries science.
--Victoria Herr, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, a sophomore majoring in agricultural and extension education.
--Logan Karchner, of Nescopeck, Columbia County, a junior majoring in animal science.
--Greg Kowalewski, of Forest City, Susquehanna County, a sophomore majoring in animal science.
--Matthew Mitchell, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, a junior majoring in animal science.
--Sarah Nafziger, of Mohnton, Berks County, a December 2015 graduate in animal science.
--Tanner Rager, of Reedsville, Mifflin County, a sophomore majoring in agricultural science and minoring in poultry science.
--Heather Sciubba, of Newtown Square, Delaware County, a freshman majoring in animal science.
--Alysha Sweitzer, of Wellsville, York County, a freshman majoring in animal science.
--Benjamim Welk, of Strasburg, Lancaster County, a freshman at Penn State Berks majoring in agricultural science.
Also awarded Farm Show scholarships were Emily Bomgardner, of Annville, Lebanon County, a freshman at Penn State Harrisburg majoring in communications; Courtney Campbell, of Gratz, Dauphin County, a December 2015 graduate in kinesiology from Penn State's College of Health and Human Development; and Jesse Isenberg, of Indiana, Indiana County, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering.
The Farm Show Scholarship Foundation has awarded nearly $1.3 million in scholarship money to 472 students since its founding in 1993.