The National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) Scholarship Committee selected 22 high school seniors and college students as recipients of $1,000 scholarships. Judges evaluated applicants on scholastic achievements, leadership in school and community activities, and responses to DHI- and career-related questions. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, applicants must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, a family member of a DHI employee, or an employee of a DHI affiliate. The DHI affiliate for the herd or affiliate employee must be a National DHIA member.
This year’s National DHIA scholarship winners are: Katelyn Allen, Jefferson, Md.; Emily Benrud, Goodhue, Minn.; Connor Erbsen, Lanark, Ill.; Katherine, Gathje, Richmond, Minn.; Dillon Gratz, Atwater, Minn.; Emma Gwidt, Pulaski, Wis.; Marie Haase, Somerset, Wis.; Erica Helmer, Plymouth, Wis.; Jessica Kerfeld, Melrose, Minn.; Elizabeth Krienke, Lester Prairie, Minn.; Johannah Nielsen, Russell, Minn.; Sonora Palmer, Preston, Idaho; Chrissy Putman, Schuylerville, N.Y.; Mitchell Reitsma, Sauk Centre, Minn.; Anton Schilter, Chehalis, Wash.; Nicholas Seitzer, Saint Peter, Minn.; Margaret Socha, Corcoran, Minn.; Catherine Thompson, Plainview, Minn.; and Brooke Trustem, Evansville, Wis.
For the past decade, National DHIA has awarded scholarships in memory of Joe Drexler, who worked for NorthStar Cooperative DHI Services. Marcus Schroepfer, son of David and Jolynne Schroepfer, Birnamwood, Wis.; Tyler Swoboda, son of Allen and Karen Swoboda, Sheldon, Wis.; and Colin Wussow, son of Ron and Nicolle Wussow, Cecil, Wis.; are this year’s recipients. NorthStar members and employees, friends and family contributed nearly $10,000 to establish this scholarship fund.
Money generated from the annual National DHIA Scholarship Auction primarily funds the organization’s scholarship program. Investments and donations also help build the fund. To make a donation to the fund, contact Leslie Thoman at 608-848-6455 ext. 108 or lthoman@dhia.org.
On July 1, 2018, the 2019 National DHIA Scholarship application will be posted on the National DHIA website at: www.dhia.org/scholarship.asp. Applications are due Nov. 30, 2018.
National DHIA, a trade association for the dairy records industry, serves the best interests of its members and the dairy industry by maintaining the integrity of dairy records and advancing dairy information systems.
