The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania has awarded two recipients for the 2017 Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Student Scholarship. The $3,000 scholarship program was established to support students pursuing undergraduate studies related to dairy industry. To be eligible, students must have received industry certification through the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Program.
“This scholarship is specifically for those students who have completed the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Program coursework,” said Mary Foote, dairy education program manager at the Center Foundation. “Both Catherine and Hanna show a passion for dairy and have interest in pursuing a dairy-related career. We are pleased to honor them as this year’s winners.”
This year’s recipients include:
Catherine Savage, who is a recent graduate of the Montgomery County Public Schools in Rockville, MD. Growing up on a 100-head dairy farm, she is the daughter of Kevin and Laurie Savage of Dickerson, MD. Catherine will be attending Virginia Tech this fall to major in dairy science. Throughout her high school career, she was involved with 4-H and served as the Alternate Maryland Dairy Princess. Catherine was also involved with the National Jersey Youth Academy. In the future, she hopes to be working with genetics within the dairy industry, including breeding her own cows to start her own herd.
Hanna Welk, who is a recent graduate of Solanco High School in Quarryville, Lancaster County. She will be a freshman studying animal science at The Pennsylvania State University. Hanna is the daughter of Jeremy and Erin Welk of Quarryville. Throughout high school, Hanna was involved with 4-H, the Solanco FFA and the Lancaster County FFA. She also served as the Lancaster County Dairy Princess. Upon graduation, Hanna plans to return to her family farm as well as working in dairy marketing.
To be eligible for this scholarship award, students must have graduated from high school this year and be enrolled in a college or university. They also must have completed and passed at least one of the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow certification exams and associated course work offered through the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania. Selection of the scholarship recipient was also based on academic performance; evidence of leadership, character and integrity while displaying a commitment to working in or promoting the dairy industry after graduation.
Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow is a comprehensive dairy education curriculum designed specifically to prepare high school students to work in the dairy industry. This program was developed with support from the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania to provide dairy business and herd management courses to high school educators and students interested in a dairy production career. More information about the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program can be found at www.dairyleadersoftomorrow.com.
Questions regarding the 2017 Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Student Scholarship Program should be referred to Mary Foote, Dairy Education Programs Coordinator with the Center for Dairy Excellence, by phone at 717-346-0849 or via email at mfoote@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
Established in 2010, the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax deductible organization created to develop and support programs which educate, cultivate and inspire a thriving and sustainable Pennsylvania dairy industry, for both the Center for Dairy Excellence and other Pennsylvania dairy organizations. Learn more about the center foundation at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/our-foundation/.
